Two Vie for Miss St. Croix Queen Title

Patrice Shannon, left, and Rachelle JnBaptiste will compete for the title of Miss St. Croix Sunday at the Divi Casino Ballroom. (Submitted photos)
Patrice Shannon, left, and Rachelle JnBaptiste will compete for the title of Miss St. Croix Sunday at the Divi Casino Ballroom. (Submitted photos)

The 66th annual Miss St. Croix Festival Queen Pageant Pageant will kick off at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Divi Casino Ballroom Sunday, with two contestants vying for the honor of representing St. Croix in Crucian Christmas Festival events.

Tickets are available at Urban Threads or by calling JG Management at 340-244-5544.

Patrice Shannon, 23, and Rachelle JnBaptiste, 22, are the pair that will compete for the crown Sunday. Jason Gardener, chairman of the pageant, has been working with the two since October and and said both are working hard for the title.

“We were looking since April for contestants and it’s been a struggle,” Gardener said. “We are so pleased to present Patrice Shannon as contestant number one and Rachelle JnBaptiste as contestant number two … Their coaches have given word that the two young ladies are ready for the competition and I am confident that they are prepared to shine on Sunday.”

Patrice Shannon
Patrice Shannon

Patrice Shannon is 23 years old, who relocated from Antigua to St. Croix five years ago. She works for Williams Chiropractic as a doctor’s assistant and says she sings to her patients to help make them feel good.

Shannon is enrolled at the University of the Virgin Islands, majoring in process technology.

“I would like to start molding young children to develop the mindset of a business owner,” she said. She said wants to develop a youth center on the island to promote local businesses on St. Croix.

“It would be a great honor to win the title of Miss St. Croix,” Shannon said.

Her favorite quote is “Live life like it’s your last day on earth.”

Rachelle JnBaptiste
Rachelle JnBaptiste

Rachelle JnBaptiste is 22 years old and moved to St. Croix from St. Lucia at the age of five. She is a product of the St. Croix public schools, which she said have prepared her academically and artistically.

JnBaptiste has performed in several theatrical productions and worked as a production assistant in a local movie, “Preciosa.”

JnBaptiste is completing requirements for a bachelor of arts degree in humanities with a focus in fine arts for both Caribbean and International theater. She has volunteered at UVI’s Cooperative Extension Services in the 4-H program for 13 years and the Children Youth and Families at Risk program for nine.

Her motto is, “You can follow me as long as it takes you to realize that you can walk next to me, because when I look for you I want to see you beside me, never behind me.”

Six categories will decide the winner of the Miss St. Croix Queen title: a pre-pageant interview, introduction speech, swimwear, talent, high fashion gown and question and answer.

The winner will receive $5,000 and the runner-up will receive $2,500. Both contestants will receive additional prizes.