The victorious Captain America, driven by Kaydia Smith. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The CCT cheerleaders are ecstatic as their team member competes in the CIL Soapbox Derby 2017. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Stiff competition in the CIL Soapbox Derby on July 9, 2017. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Kaydia Smith is all smiles following her prizes haul. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Steve E. Parillon is dunked! Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Some of the soapboxes that participated in the races. Photo: VINO

Simone T. Monsanto, Director of Caribbean Insurers Limited (CIL), (fourth from left) and some of the members of Caribbean Insurers Limited at the 2017 Soapbox Derby on Sunday July 9, 2017. Photo: VINO

Children enjoying the fun-filled Soapbox Derby. Photo: VINO

Steve E. Parillon, Physical Education teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School in the dunk booth. Photo: VINO

Patrons enjoying some of the activities during the soapbox derby. Photo: VINO

Over 20 entrants had registered to compete for an array of trophies and prizes at this year’s event, the first in two years, and a large crowd had gathered to enjoy the day’s festivities by the time racing got underway.

The team from Seventh-day Adventist School made the early running against other Primary Schools, with wins against Isabella Morris, Alexandrina Maduro and Enis Adams, enough to claim a hotly contested category championship.

Victory for Captain America

Captain America, driven by Kaydia Smith, also got off to a rapid start, beating YEP and coming out victorious in the mouth-watering clash with Island Sizzle. A win over the BVIHSA and a tough battle with Rio 3 guaranteed top spot.

“It feels great,” commented Smith. “My team was really energetic and pushed me all the way to the win. Each race got better as I grew in confidence and am very happy.”

Organiser of the event for Caribbean Insurers Limited, Simone T. Montsanto was also very happy. “I expected a big turn out and we got a great turn out, I expected a grand race day, it was well spent day with parents and the races were awesome. The most exciting part was to see grandfathers running alongside the kids, adding to the excitement. In future, we will try hold the event while school is open so the kids can have bragging rights to celebrate.”

Enis Adams Primary won the Pre-Built Best Graphics, Captain America was Fastest overall, the Fastest Pre-Built award went to SDA School, Green Flash was named the Most Creative, Captain America received the Best Paint Job Award, CCT were the Best Cheerleaders, Captain America won for Best Graphics, Alexandrina Maduro took home the Best Ragga Trophy and Best of Show, of course, Captain America.

See previous article published July 10, 2017

CIL Soapbox Derby raises money for charity

Caribbean Insurers Limited (CIL) partnered with BVI Motor Sports Association (BMSA) to host a fun-filled Soapbox Derby for children ages 7 to 16 on Sunday July 9, 2017 at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) lawns in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

Simone T. Monsanto, Director of CIL, stated that since the launching of the first Soapbox Derby in 2014, they have received great feedback on the event.

Family affair

“We did it already in 2014 and the community liked it and it’s a family affair. We are going to continue to make it an annual event.”

She continued, “Today, we have over 20 entries and we had some really good community sponsors. They actually bought a soapbox for a school. As a result, 7 schools got pre built soapboxes.”

The CIL Director explained that the event is geared to bring families together and it is especially important for parents to support their children while they participate in the event.

“Caribbean Insurers is about getting families together. I like to see happy faces and the kids smiling. It’s a good event to have parents and children together. The parents are all behind their kids, watching and cheering them on,” said Ms Monsanto.

The Soapbox Derby featured activities such as: dunking booth, bouncy castle, face painting, fashion show by UMI, in addition to cash prizes, giveaways and trophies. Patrons enjoyed delicious food from the BVI Motorsports Association (BMSA) food van.

The most anticipated event was the dunking tank in which Miss BVI 2016, Erika R. Creque and Physical Education teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School, Steve E. Parillon were dunked.

Charitable event

Additionally, the BVI Cancer Society and BVI HIV/AIDS Foundation will receive a donation out of the proceeds collected from the entrance fee and the BVI Motors Sports Association’s food van.

Soapboxes were donated courtesy of VP Bank, Al’s Marine, VI Motors and Burkes Garage Limited. This allowed various primary schools to participate in the event.

Other sponsors for the event included CCT, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Road Town Wholesale, Caribbean Cellars and many more.