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
