King Willem-Alexander: "If all of the presentations that we have witnessed since my first visit in 1987 is a yardstick for what this island can do this island has the best potential you can imagine"
PHILIPSBURG:--- During the Youth Showcase in honor of the visit of the Royal Couple King Willem-Alexander joined the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Her Excellency Sarah Wescot-Williams in expressing their gratitude and thanks to the organizers and participants of the event. The Prime Minister started out the showcase by welcoming the Royal Couple and by expressing the wish that what they will witness during the evening will remain with their Royal Highnesses for many more years. "I hope that the memories of St. Maarten in this trip will stay with you for many more years. St. Maarten is the youngest and the smallest country in the Dutch Kingdom and we are proud to have been the first country on your visit to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Young and small, but indeed we are only small geographically. St. Maarten is big in hospitality, big in unity, big in tolerance, big in peace and we are proud to be a part of the Dutch Kingdom. We have thought long and hard on how we can present the colorful history that St. Maarten has. We have thought long and hard on how to give a brief synopsis on what St. Maarten was, is and what we aspire to be. We have put together this evening the way we best describes the best of that. Enjoy St. Maarten, its youth, talents, aspirations and ambitions. We pray that God continues to bless you, St. Maarten and its people," opened Prime Minister Wescot-Williams
The showcase continued with cultural performances by the Charlotte Brookson Academy, the National Institute of the Arts with works choreographed by Arlene Halley and Clara Reyes and spoken word and song presented by various artist. Nicole de Weever of Art Saves Lives also choreographed the closing dance segment, energizing the delegates that we present as well as the large public turnout that cheered the youth along.
At the close of the event, to thunderous applause, the Prime Minister expressed her most heartfelt and deepest appreciation to especially the young people who showcased their talents that evening. "Words are not sufficient to express our gratitude and appreciation. If you do not feel what it is to be on St. Maarten tonight then you will never feel it. We should appreciate our young persons for the show that they have been able to put on this evening. This is St. Maarten; this is who we are and what we represent. Our past, our present presented by the Future of St. Maarten. You have made St. Maarten so proud this evening. It is truly amazing. Thank you to the organizing committee and all who have assisted in making this possible this evening. What Their Majesties I am sure witnessed here tonight will stay with them for very long time. We are so grateful and proud to show what we did tonight to you," commented the Prime Minister.
In a breach of protocol Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima joined Prime Minister Wescot-Williams on the stage to express their thanks to the youth for putting on such a showcase. "Thank you very very much to all who have made our visit so special. Only silence should be our part because what we saw tonight was almost too impressive for words. This first day of our tour in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom could not have started better. If all of the presentations that we have witnessed since my first visit in 1987 are a yardstick for what this island can do this island has the best potential you can imagine. Two years ago we saw the incredible work that has been done already and now two years later we are very impressed with the improvements we have seen. We can remain one strong Kingdom and we look forward to serve you in that capacity. Thank you very very much," stated His Royal Highness to thunderous applause from the crowd.
From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister