Havana Nights 10th Year Does the Old Fort Proud

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Returning to its roots, Project Promises’ annual bash of a fund raiser, Havana Nights, came home to Fort Frederick, where its inaugural outing began, to celebrate its 10th year anniversary. And what a celebration it was! Project Promises’ Executive Director and Founder, Resa O’Reilly Shearn, waved her magic wand and spun the old fort into a wondrous delight of Cuban flare. 

Havana Nights thrilled and excited the hundreds in attendance, from fire dancers lighting up the night to Teddy’s fantastic Cuban cuisine to Eddie Russell’s Band knocking out that contagious Cubano beat, the Project Promise organization delivered an extravaganza that brought the community together and exemplified what St. Croix is all about: Warmth, Loving and Care for their fellow beings.

Project Promise devotes their time and energy to enhance the future integrity of at-risk youth on St. Croix. There really is no other event that both celebrates and brings out the thoughtfulness and giving attitude of the Crucian people like Havana Nights. When you walk among the crowd of well-dressed invitees, you can feel the pride of their heartfelt contributions to the just causes that make life on St. Croix so valuable to its residents. The sense of gentility and camaraderie at events like Havana Nights is certainly a model for all the world to follow. 

It is hard not to shout the praises of Resa’s accomplishments with the various programs she has created for at-risk youth. Her ingenious way of ingratiating these young people with a gentle and intelligent approach to their problems, displays her steadfast desire to bring out the best in each child, reaching deep to find their potential and nurturing their lives along a path to productive adulthood. 

Most at-risk youth on St. Croix face numerous challenges. They are living in poverty, doing poorly in school, lacking a positive role model, stuck in a rut of going nowhere in life without the tools and mental acumen to make smart decisions that will push them onto a greater, more satisfying path in their lives. Many have completely lost hope and have turned to risky behaviors. Many of their problems seem unsolvable. But Project Promise is dedicated to bringing about positive change in their world. Helping to lift them up by their bootstraps and giving them a vision of a new and better life. Resa’s objective is to enhance each child’s decision-making skills, enabling them to discover their vocational interests, and ultimately integrate them back into the mainstream of society to help build the Crucian economy. The simple goal of Project Promise is to inspire a future of excellence and success for each youth that enters their doorsteps.

From life coaching and personal wellness to academic tutoring, community service, cultural programs, and family services, Project Promise gives the at-risk youth of St. Croix an opportunity for positive change in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment. By introducing them to our islands’ natural resources, our history and culture, St. Croix gains one of our most valuable resources, the untapped, undeveloped minds of the at-risk youth themselves.         

Project Promises’ Excellence & Leadership Recognition Program is designed to acknowledge and recognize three outstanding public high school seniors, one senior from each high school who have gone above and beyond, despite all odds. The Excellence & Leadership Recognition Award is presented annually to students who demonstrated leadership qualities during their high school years. The Excellence & Leadership Recognition Awards is an extension of Project Promise’s commitment and dedication to the youth of St. Croix. Any public high school senior who has maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher is eligible. Any public high school senior who has demonstrated integrity even in the face of adversity is also eligible. This includes students who have proven to be excellent role models, willing to go above and beyond to serve others, as well as students who have shown themselves to be committed, dedicated and diligent in working toward a positive future.

This year’s awardees who received recognition at Havana Nights were as follows:

Mariah Charles/St. Croix Central High School.

Mariah is currently a senior at St. Croix Central High School and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.9. Mariah’s future goals include graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science and then joining the United States Navy as an officer, where she can apply her technical expertise and leadership skills in a service-oriented environment. Mariah is a dedicated student-athlete, actively participating in volleyball and softball, which have significantly contributed to her discipline and teamwork abilities. Beyond athletics, Mariah is deeply involved in extracurricular pursuits such as Interact Club, NAF, JROTC, Yearbook Club, serving as Class Historian and National Honor Society member, and using her creative talents as a photographer, video editor, and Public Relations Officer for Ladies of Distinction Project Promise.

John Pula/St. Croix Educational Complex

John aspires to become a commercial pilot, who sees the excitement of flight and the technical challenges of aviation motivating him to keep learning and exceeding his own expectations. John’s passion for acting and voice work draws him to the art of storytelling and the opportunity to bring characters to life in a variety of settings. Exploring interests like Drama Club, aviation, and computer programming has helped John develop confidence, creativity, and valuable skills that prepare him for a dynamic future.

Austin Tutein/St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center

Austin is currently a senior at St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center and his current cumulative GPA is 3.5. Austin’s future goal is to use his trade in Millwright to pursue a rewarding and practical career. The sport he is most passionate about is football, which allows him to stay active and engaged. Additionally, Austin participates in the Upper Bound Program at the University of the Virgin Islands as part of his extra-curricular activities, further supporting his academic and personal growth.

It was such a gala event, so warm and filled with good cheer. The food by Teddy’s Catering was extraordinary. Who could resist his take on Cuban specialties, Teddy’s Mojito chicken was off the gastronomical charts, as was his Cuban roast pork and that phenomenal salmon with creme sauce. Wow! What a spread. It took the entire A-list crowd on a quick, first-class night flight back to the Hemingway haunts in old Havana.

The music by Eddie Russell & Friends transported attendees back to the land of the great Celia Cruz and the Buena Vista Social Club from the very moment they entered the historic old fort. 

Yes, yes, you could hear the old cannons roar in tribute, for it was a night when Crucians could be proud of their many philanthropic accomplishments, proud of opening their hearts and pocketbooks to those who are in need, to those at-risk youth who deserve our attention and affection.      

And so it was one for the Crucian record books, another wonderful Havana Nights annual fundraiser proved to delight all who took part. Under the twinkling lights of the old Fort Frederick, in the grandest of styles, Resa and her devoted troupe certainly did the grand old fort proud. If there was magic in the air anywhere in the world, it was right there in Frederiksted, remembering the days when General Buddhoe blew the conch, and the sweet song of freedom rang out for all to gather round.