The inaugural St. Croix Central High School Winter Wonderland Dinner & Auction took place on Sunday, December 1, at the Sidney Lee Event Center, representing a historic moment for public school fundraising on St. Croix. Organized to fund the Class of 2025's upcoming class trip, the event represented a groundbreaking effort, typically seen in private schools, to elevate community support and student opportunities.

The Sidney Lee Event Center was transformed into a stunning winter wonderland, dazzling attendees with glittering decorations and a magical atmosphere. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with entertainment, including fire dancers, a gourmet dinner, and winter-themed desserts. The highlight of the night was the silent and live auctions, where unique items and experiences were generously donated by local businesses and individuals.

The event was made possible by the overwhelming support of sponsors and community members from both St. Croix and St. Thomas. The contributions from these businesses not only supported CHS students but also demonstrated the potential of community-driven initiatives to enhance public education.

Assistant Principal Minerva Delauney, one of the key organizers, reflected on the success of the evening: “What we accomplished here tonight is truly heartwarming and inspiring. The Winter Wonderland turned out to be more than a mere fundraiser; it was a social gathering that facilitated a common objective: bringing the community together to support our young people. Hosting an event like this was something new for the school, yet the overwhelming turnout and support show just how much this community believes in our students. The Class of 2025 is incredibly fortunate to have the support of our local businesses and community partners. The success of this event paves the way for many more initiatives like this in the future.”

The event arguably set a new standard for public school fundraising efforts, showing that with unity and vision, public schools can achieve remarkable outcomes. Attendees left the event inspired and hopeful, with many expressing interest in making the Winter Wonderland an annual tradition, according to a release from CHS.

The event's success was made possible through the generous support of numerous sponsors, including VI Consortium, Starlight Promotions, VP Landscaping, KJ Water Delivery, Purafire, The Courtyard Juices and Fitness Center, Artificer Jewellers, Pampered VI, Carambola Beach Resort, Nzinga Neveah Luxury Spa, Lotus Jewelers, The Palms at Pelican Cove, NAV Jewelers, Taste of Twin City Food Tour by Virgin Islands Food Tours, The Reef Associates, and the CHS Spanish Honor Society. Additional contributions came from Holger Danske Hotel, IB Designs, Bleu Chocolat, Duggan’s Reef, Den’s Jewelry, Great Exploration Tours in St. Thomas and Atlanta, Tuck Shop Downtown in St. Thomas, Johnny’s Jewelry, Oliver Exterminating, Crucian Gold, Luryx Duty-Free in St. Thomas, LSC Fashions, Geraldine Vaval, Marcella Simmonds, Jessica Cana, Ashley Home Store, Kmart Sunny Isles, Wokame Sushi Bar & Grill Restaurant, BabyQuip Rentals in St. Croix and St. Thomas, Women in Business VI & Caribbean Inc., Carlos Furniture, Cruzan Bayou Bistro, Breathless Occasions, USVI Made, Khala J Nails, and Juicy Apparels.