The Bud Billiken Royal Court was officially crowned and sashed Sunday during a special coronation ceremony at the Museum of Science of Industry.
The Bud Billiken Royal Court was officially crowned and sashed Sunday during a special coronation ceremony at the Museum of Science of Industry.
Marius Guyton, a fifth grader at George Clark Elementary School, accepted his crown and took his place as king of the Royal Court. The 10-year-old was crowned by a former Bud Billiken king.
Then 10-year-old Jhadia Adams stepped forth to accept the queen’s crown. The Ashburn Elementary School fifth grader and Chi-Town cheerleader will ride in Saturday’s parade alongside Guyton, atop the Royal Court float. St. Joseph Elementary School fourth grader Taryn Turner is now a princess after receiving her official sash Sunday. The 9-year-old swimmer and member of the Reader’s Theatre watched as her “prince” received his sash too.
Aaron Parker, prince on the Royal Court, is a 9-year-old fifth grader and avid bowler. The George Curtis Elementary School student is a member of the Burr Oak Bowling League.
Muhammad University of Islam fourth grader, Dakota James, is lord on the Royal Court. The 9-year-old baseball player is a member of the South Side Little League-Browns.
Dixon Elementary School should be proud of its 9-year-old Ariyana Shines. The Junior Heroines member will reign as this year’s lady on the Royal Court.
The coronation ceremony featured a performance by The Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago and presentations by representatives from Walt Disney World Resorts, an event sponsor, and officials from the Chicago Defender, which hosts the Bud Billiken Royal Court competition, and Chicago Defender Charities, which produces the annual parade.
Now that the Royal Court has officially been installed, the children, on Monday, began their week of fun. Starting with a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, this week of royal fun will take the youngsters to Six Flags, lunch in Macy’s esteemed Walnut Room, Brookfield Zoo and, closing the week out, Navy Pier.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
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