ST. CROIX — On Saturday evening, hundreds of people turned out to support Project Promise’s third annual silent auction fundraiser in support of its Caterpillar Project (TCP) program, a release Project Promise issued Monday has made known. The Havana Nights themed event was held at Fort Frederik, and featured an authentic Cuban experience, with Cuban cuisine, antique cars, salsa dancing and a silent auction, and raised more than $30,000 for the group’s flagship program.
According to the release, this year officials from Project Promise combined the Havana Nights fundraiser with its annual Youth Recognition event to showcase three high school students, and spotlight their accomplishments over the last school year. St. Croix Educational Complex junior Julian Aponte, Jr., St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) junior Justice Veira, and St. Croix Central High School junior Indeyah Itavia Marie Todman were all honored Saturday as this year’s Project Promise Youth Recognition Award recipients. They were selected to represent their respective schools by a panel from Project Promise, after submitting an essay. Each student received a laptop computer, a $100 gift card to Office Max, an award certificate and custom-made handcrafted plaque for their accomplishments over the last year.
The proceeds from Havana Nights benefits Project Promise’s Caterpillar Project, a long-term program designed to make a significant difference in the lives of at-risk youth in St. Croix. TCP began on January 25, 2016 with 12 selected fifth graders from the Lew Muckle Elementary School, the support of the Department of Education, and community partners, according to the release.
Project Promise thanked the community, its sponsors, and all the individuals who helped to make Havana Nights a great success.