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Virgin Islanders Beam With Pride as Basketball Superstar Aliyah Boston is Honored With Billboard at Airport, Parade Through Charlotte Amalie

The government of the Virgin Islands pulled out all stops on Saturday as it treated one of its very own — St. Thomas native and basketball superstar Aliyah Boston — as royalty. Through a combined effort that included Government House, the Dept. of Sports, Parks and Recreation, the V.I. Dept. of Tourism and the V.I. Port Authority, a large billboard was installed at the entrance of the Cyril E. King Airport bearing Aliyah's name and likeness that welcomes guests coming in and thanks those leaving the island for visiting. Then, the roadway of downtown Charlotte Amalie was closed to accommodate a parade in her honor, with hundreds of Virgin Islanders lining the streets to wave and cheer as Aliyah waved and smiled in return, sitting on a convertible Nissan Z. The events culminated with a ceremony at the picturesque waterfront promenade just east of the District Court building, with guest speakers ranging from Governor Albert Bryan to Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory, and special rema...