ST. THOMAS, (USVI) – POPULARLY known as the ‘Songbird’, Karence DeCosta, who was crowned the 2009 St. Thomas Carnival Queen and died in a tragic accident more than a month into her reign, was recently remembered at the 2010 St. Thomas Carnival Pageant.
DeCosta, who stole many Kittitians and Nevisians hearts with her beautiful voice at the 2005 Kittitian Superstar competition and later the hearts of the people of St. Thomas with that same beautiful voice which helped her to win the pageant, was remembered in a video montage.
The video montage showed clips of her performance from last year’s competition, including DeCosta’s soulful singing along with her mother receiving gifts from the Carnival Committee and Governor John deJongh Jr. after her death.
According to the virginislandsdailynews.com, deJongh said that DeCosta may not be with them physically but spiritually and emotionally she would never leave them.
Her chaperone for last year’s show, Lorna Freeman Dennis, sang Beyonce’s hit song ‘Halo’ in her memory, and last year’s First Runner-up who took over Decosta’s duties, Lynette Boschulte, also acknowledged the loss.
The website reported that Boschulte said Decosta’s memory would never fade from her heart or anyone’s life she touched.
Decosta died in a one-car accident on June 8 sometime around 1:00 a.m. after celebrating her graduation from the Charlotte Amalie High School.
The 2010 Pageant was held on April 17 and Shawntay Henry won the crown from among three contestants.
The young ladies were judged on the Swimwear, Cultural Costume, Talent, Evening Wear and the Question-and-Answer segments.
Henry, who reportedly impressed the crowd and judges, also won the Evening Wear segment. Britanny Robinson won Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic and the People’s Choice Popularity, while the other contestant, Razzilee Oquendo, did not win any of the prizes.
Henry won a $5 000 scholarship among other prizes and told the Virgin Islands media that her hard work had paid off.
3.jpg)
.jpg)