The Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) commemorated the territory’s Transfer Centennial with a cultural showcase featuring local dance, poetry, music and food. The two-part event took place at the Ruth E. Thomas Auditorium and the CAHS athletic field on Friday, March 17.
Senior class president Shamari Davis served as Master of Ceremonies and opened the event with a warm welcome to teachers, the community and fellow students. The CAHS Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard posted the colors, followed by the National Anthem and the Virgin Islands March by Ripples on the Lake and Swans on the Lake ensembles, respectively. A special audio recording of the Danish national anthem was aired in recognition of the territory’s Centennial Transfer anniversary on March 31, 2017.
The CAHS Quadrille Team Dancers, led by Jahbari James, began the program with a high-spirited performance followed by a viewing historical footage of the Transfer Day ceremony in 1917. Incorporating students’ love for fashion into the festivities, young seamstresses in Ms. Smith’s sewing class modeled original designs made of madras fabric. Following the fashion showcase, the CAHS Golden Hawkettes Bamboula Dance Company performed a riveting tribute to the late Marie Ann Christopher, culture bearer and Bamboula instructor.
CAHS English Language Learners (ELL) class contributed to the celebration with the performance of an Afro-Caribbean dance following a series of centennial-themed poems recited by V.I. History students.
The morning program ended with a catchy, original Quelbe song written by CAHS music instructor Francis Callwood and performed by the CAHS Concert Choir titled, “Quelbe Music.”
After lunch, students and teachers convened on the field for part two of the festivities. There, the Superior Court’s Rising Stars Steel Orchestra and the CAHS Concert Band entertained the crowd with music as students enjoyed local food, games and displays.
Students built and flew kites, played jump rope, sampled local treats, such as red pea soup and gooseberry stew. A young Mocko Jumbie was also present, and students learned how to make dumb bread and sweet bread from local bakers.
The day of celebration of Virgin Islands history was presented by the Department of Education, Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education, Centennial Cultural Commemoration Committee and the CAHS Social Studies department.
