The members of the Virgin Islands Carnival Committee hereby extend profound condolences to the family and friends of our 2009 Carnival Queen, Karence DeCosta, on her untimely passing.

In her words, “There are many things in life which I am passionate about, but there is nothing that I love more than singing. Music is life and it is what defines me.” Karence lived her dream and celebrated life as she blessed us all with her beautiful Gift. She has left an indelible impression upon our hearts and in our minds.

Though we are saddened that her time with us was short, God knows best. We pray for healing for her family, friends, classmates and our community. Rest in peace our beautiful queen, our beautiful songbird, Karence.

The Virgin Islands Carnival is held annually on the island of St. Thomas, usually during the last week of April. It is a time when Virgin Islanders are anxious to display their creativity and talents while graciously demonstrating their hospitality. This festival is organized by the Virgin Islands Carnival Committee, Inc., a nonprofit corporation formed for the express purpose of developing the celebration. The social and economic value is of such enormous proportions that it is unimaginable that it will ever be discontinued.

With a paid staff of two and a volunteer group of approximately 150, the committee has catapulted the St. Thomas gala into the top ten Carnivals in the world, according to the results of a survey printed in a February, 2003 edition of USA Today. As if to corroborate that declaration, the Discovery Channel HD chose the St. Thomas Carnival to shoot footage for their “Fantastic Festivals of the World” series. According to one of the producers, this celebration was the only festival throughout the Caribbean or the United States to receive that honor up to that point in time.

The accrual of several notable National and International awards during the last two decades attracted worldwide attention to the festival. Several Carnival Queens captured the crown of Jaycees Caribbean Queen on the island of Antigua while another won the best talent segment of the Miss World Beauty Pageant held in China. Additionally, the International Festivals and Events Association’s annual Pinnacle Award for “Best Promotional Poster” category was bestowed on the committee on three separate occasions.