Dec. 5, 2005 –– Two young men are joining the royal competitions this Festival season. They have set their sights on capturing the Mr. St. Croix crown.
The competition is slated for 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at Island Center for the Performing Arts.
Jose Navarro, 16 and Kevin Swanston, 19 will compete in talent, cultural wear, evening tuxedo and introduction speech.
Merlisa George, pageant coordinator for Miss St. Croix, is also overseeing the Mr. St. Croix pageant. George said she started soliciting for young men to compete because there are few things for guys to do to showcase their talent. "They need the same opportunities as the young ladies," George said. George said she also wanted to "reduce the stigma" associated with guys who compete in pageants. The last time there was a Mr. St. Croix competition on St. Croix was for the 50th Anniversary of Festival. "It was just a popularity contest then," George said. "This time it's the real thing."
The contestants will take to the stage on Sunday along with the seven Miss St. Croix contestants. (See Seven Will Compete for Miss St. Croix Crown). The male and female contestants will be judged separately.
The two young men have loads of talent between them and promise to give the audience a good show.
Navarro is presently the reigning Junior Calypso King 2004-2005. He is a junior at the St. Croix Central High. In 1999 Navarro was crowned Festival Prince. He went on to win Mr. African Heritage in 2001, VI PR Prince in 2001, Mr. FBLA in 2002 and Mr. CHS in 2005. Navarro said his goal is to attain 10 crowns competing in various events.
Swanston is a 19-year-old graduate of the St. Croix Education Complex. He attends the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus and is studying computer information systems, a field he earned certification in while he was a student at the Vocational School.
Swanston is no stranger to the stage. He is a member of Music in Motion and participated in several dance productions including being the lead dancer in the organization's Black History production. He is part of the male hip hop dance troupe Exquisite and has tried his skills at pageant consultation. Swanson is also the only male dancer at the Cultural Bazaar carnival reproductions in Frederiksted.
Both young men say they want to break the stereotype of males participating in contests and pageants. "It's about courage," Swanston said. "More young men need to get involved." Navarro sent an enticing message to the public who are thinking of attending the show. "People know I can sing and dance, but on Sunday, expect the unexpected."
Tickets for the Mr. St. Croix and Miss St. Croix pageant are $25 and $30 at the door. You can pick up your tickets at Pier 69 in Frederiksted, Poncho's in Sunny Isles and Zeny's II Bar and Restaurant in Christiansted.
Check back frequently to the Source for all your 2005-2006 St. Croix Festival highlights. See the complete schedule here.