Sher’Niah Freeman Crowned at 70th St. John Celebration Queen Pageant

The 70th St. John Celebration Queen pageant commenced with vibrant competition on Saturday night, featuring contestants J’Naiya Squiabro and Sher’Niah Freeman. Both contestants took the stage in striking silver dresses adorned with fringe, setting the tone for an evening of elegance and talent.

J’Naiya Squiabro, a recent Ivanna Eudora Kean High School graduate and U.S. Army enlistee, introduced herself as “the chosen one.” Meanwhile, Sher’Niah Freeman, a sophomore at the University of the Virgin Islands, declared she embodied “the undeniable essence of a queen.” Their opening speeches, each worth up to 25 points, showcased their confidence and set high expectations for the evening.

The swimwear segment followed, with contestants judged on poise, modeling technique, fit, and stage presence for a total of 50 points. Squiabro dazzled in a sequined white monokini, dubbed “Platinum Jubilee,” accentuated with strategically placed gems. Freeman opted for a blush-colored maillot in crushed velvet, featuring a mesh cutout and deeper pink gems at the waist.

The next segment required the contestants to display their talents while donning “international wear,” scored out of 100 points. Squiabro’s “Welcome to Guatemala” presentation featured a costume inspired by the National Palace of Culture and the Museum of Archaeology, complemented by a hand-painted skirt and a white winged headpiece. She performed the “Dance of the Conquest,” transitioning into a sequined bodice and mesh ruffled skirt for a dynamic dance and drum performance.

Freeman paid tribute to Celia Cruz, the “Queen of Salsa,” with a vibrant yellow-orange ombre duster, orange wig, and gem-encrusted sunglasses. She performed “A Negra Tiene Tumbao” and portrayed the history of Afro-Cubans, donning flowing white garments and a pale blue shimmery dress for the Tumba Francesca dance. Despite wardrobe malfunctions, Freeman closed with a spirited salsa performance in a sequined Cuban flag ball gown.

The evening wear segment, also worth 100 points, saw Squiabro in a royal purple gown with crystal columns and tasseled off-shoulder sleeves. Freeman chose a white column gown with strategically placed sequins and fringe.

During the question and answer segment, worth 25 points, Squiabro proposed opening a clinic for young people’s mental wellbeing, emphasizing gradual emotional openness. Freeman suggested community seminars to educate on mental health warning signs and advocated for mental health classes in schools.

After the personal interview scores were combined with the evening’s performances, the judges deliberated. Amidst the audience’s anticipation, Sher’Niah Freeman was crowned the 2024 St. John Celebration Queen, to the delight of the cheering crowd.