Students of the Ivanna Eudora Kean and Charlotte Amalie High Schools showed out their cars at the De’ Youth Dem Car Show hosted by Loud n’ Proud and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention on Sunday, February 5, 2023, starting at 12:00 pm, held in the Fort Christian Parking Lot. The young males, who put their hours of labor to show, with their decked out Hondas, Audis, Toyotas, and Acuras, were supported by friends and family members who partook in the event. 

The owner of Loud n Proud, Christina Burt, who has organized many car shows throughout the years, was approached by students from IEKHS and CAHS. “The guys, they got their little cars with their little rims and music, and they wanted to do a little car show. They into what we into, too,” Burt said. “We know this is an interest of our young people. This is an amazing talent that they have to design these cars and customize the stereos. What we’re hoping for is that they see this as an opportunity for individual entrepreneurship,” said Antonio Emmanuel, executive director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. 

When all the car owners in car show ended their performances, the winners of the different categories were announced for everything from the best rims, interior and exterior, the best bagged, the best stance/slogan, best ragga, and best factory. The winners included Jahyel George who won People’s Choice, also winning a handful of trophies accompanied by Mario Peterson, Gerell Reed, Dyllani Newton, C’Mouri Jarvis, and Makai Charleswell.

Winner of Best Interior and Best Bagged, Dyllani Newton, said “I like to take care of my interior more than I take care of the outside of the car.” Working hard, raising $3,000 to remodel his car, “I was expecting to win it too,” Newton said. 

Jahyel George, winner of Best Slogan, among others, spoke on his winning slogan, Brick Pan Brick; “I feel good. Making money, that’s how I look at it, and it’s catchy so I just put it on.” 

“Don’t be scared, to put yourself out there if you want to win something,” said Mario Peterson, winner of Best Rims and Best Exterior. 

A student from the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Trevon Anthony, who was also a participant in the car show, stated that he prepped his red Honda Civic over the last 2 years, with a small set, a fresh paint job, and some rims, “To show that the youngsters can be out here and do stuff too, it’s our time to shine.”