June 1, 2008 — Five individuals, as well as a collaborative project, were honored Saturday night at the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce's 25th annual awards ceremony held at the St. Peter Greathouse on St. Thomas.
Some 300 attendees donned elegant attire and paid $125 per ticket to enjoy a creative and delicious meal that echoed the evening's Latin theme, "Havana Nights." A sea of hot pink sashes trimmed the room's 300 dinner seats and a wide-screen TV played a loop of Carmen Miranda clips, all complementing the live salsa music that carried the crowd through dinner and onto the dance floor following the awards.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. and his wife, Cecile deJongh, were among the dignitaries present for the ceremony, which, according to the chamber, "…recognizes outstanding contributions to the U.S. Virgin Islands of public officials and private citizens whose achievements reflect the commitment and dedication exemplified by the life and work of Bill LaMotta."
LaMotta, a renowned Caribbean composer and musician, was a former chamber president and civic leader who died in 1980.
Wilbur "Bill" LaMotta Community Service Awards were given to:
— Dee Baecher-Brown, president of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) for 12 years of selfless civic leadership in the non-profit sector;
— John Jowers, past executive director of the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts for his steadfast commitment to elevating the arts in the territory;
— Cassan Pancham, FirstBank's executive vice president, Eastern Caribbean, for spearheading successful public-private partnerships, and making loans more available to homeowners and small business people;
— Ludence A. Romney, Jr., a Charlotte Amalie High School student and the new president of the Future Business Leaders of America for his intelligence and extraordinary leadership potential;
— Stanley Selengut, president of Maho Bay Camps, for leading the way in developing eco-tourism in the Virgin Islands.
In addition, the chamber honored Richard H. Driehaus and the government of the Virgin Islands for their public-private collaboration in restoring the Franklin D. Roosevelt V.I. Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Each award winner brought the audience to its feet following acceptance speeches. But it was the 16-year old Romney who wowed audience members with his polish and confidence as he opened and closed his talk with Japanese phrases and included an African folk tale along the way.
"The future governor of the V.I.!," one listener quipped.
"That's some kid, man," said another.
Romney was not the only CAHS student to impress the crowd. Shawntay Henry, a 16-year-old sophomore, flawlessly recited a poem in the style that catapulted her to first place in the 2008 Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, held in Washington D.C. in April, and which won her a $20,000 scholarship.
The evening's organizer was Joseph S. Aubain, executive director of the chamber, who helped host the event alongside its president, Thomas B. Brunt, III.
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