April 16, 2001 – Cherrisse Woods' confidence, poise and natural beauty led the Charlotte Amalie High School senior to a solid victory as Carnival Queen 2001 in competition Saturday night at the Lionel Roberts Stadium. The talent and selection show highlighted the second weekend of Carnival festivities on St. Thomas.
Woods emerged from a field of six contestants and after next Sunday's coronation she will reign over the month-long Virgin Islands Carnival celebration.
Woods was a crowd pleaser from the beginning of the pageant, sponsored by the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association.
Before a crowd of about 7,500, Woods demonstrated "star power" as she paid tribute to her favorite artists, Gloria Estefan and Selena. She played the bongo drums in a performance that mesmerized the crowd and she sang Selena's hit song, "Biddy-biddy bam bam," in Spanish. Her performance landed her the Best Talent award. She was also named Miss Intellect.
Woods' schoolmate, LaMonique Morris, was named first runner-up and LaStarr Watley was second runner-up. Morris was awarded the Miss Congeniality title and received the award for Best Cultural/Historical Costume. Wattley was Miss Photogenic. Isemillia Chinnery was named Most Cooperative and received the award for the Best Evening Gown. Shelene Leonard and Dionne Williams were the other two contestants.
Woods and the 2001 Prince and Princess, Omari Williams and Brittaney Rodriquez, will be crowned at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22, in ceremonies at Emancipation Garden.
The Carnival festivities continued Sunday with the old-time traditional games and the toddlers' derby. This week's events include the annual hospital show on Monday, the Junior Calypso Competition on Tuesday, the cultural night and King and Queen of the Bands competition on Wednesday, Latin Night on Thursday and Calypso Revue I and II on Friday and Saturday. The hospital show is staged starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital while all other events begin at 8 o'clock nightly at the Lionel Roberts Stadium.
To access the Source unofficial Carnival 2001 program guide, click here.
