June 24, 2002 – The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands announced on Monday that it has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 27 Virgin Islands students for study in the coming year.
Shani Smith of St. Thomas, a junior at the University of the Virgin Islands, received the Artrelle M. Wheatley Scholarship of one year’s tuition at the school.
Kendal Yorke of St. Croix and Ralph E. Plaskett of St. Thomas each received a Theodore E. Sharp Scholarship. It is awarded to students active in community service. Yorke plans to pursue a career in medicine; Plaskett plans to study psychology and technology at George Mason University.
Four St. Croix students received Anna Walsh scholarships for academic achievement. They are Deborah Boyce, an accounting major at Johnson and Wales University in Miami; Jelani Newton, a student at the University of Pennsylvania; Laurise A. Oliver, an elementary education major at Adelphi University; and J’Ada Thomas, who plans to study medicine and become a cardiologist or neurologist after graduating from Pace University.
Four St. Thomas-St. John students also received Anna Walsh scholarships for academic achievement. They are Claudette Duggins, who is studying to be a forensic pathologist at Norfolk State University; DeShawn A. Hendrickson, a music student at Berklee College in Boston; Ashley-Ruth Moolenaar, an elementary education major at the University of Virginia; and Vitalia Wiltshire, who plans to go to medical school after graduating from Virginia Wesleyan College.
Pamela Hagley and Charrisse Hart, students in the Norfolk University program at the University of the Virgin Islands, both received NSL 80th Birthday Fund scholarships, given for the first time. Hagley, a Human Services Department project manager, and Hart, a Human Services social workers, both are studying for a master’s degree in social work.
Five students received Margate Management LLC Scholarships. St. Croix recipients are Dara Boyce, who plans to be a pharmacologist; and David E. Fabio, a pre-med major at Xavier University. St. Thomas-St. John recipients are Alexandria A. Collins, who will study accounting at UVI; Kersha Eddy, who will be a pre-med major at Fisk University; and Elenoe “Crew” Smith, who will begin pre-med studies at Princeton University.
Five students also received J. Epstein V.I. Foundation scholarships. Those from St. Croix are Kamil E. Francois, who will study pharmacy after graduating from Agnes Scott College; Hannah Jacobs-El, who will study biology and engineering at UVI; and Neolene Jeffers, who plans a career in diplomacy and international politics after graduating from Georgetown University. Those from St. Thomas-St. John are Deon LeCointe, who plans to be an electronic engineer after graduating from the University of Miami; and LaDane Lewis, who plans to become an interior decorator.
Raquel Marie Hill of St. Thomas received the Peter Gruber Foundation Scholarship to study accounting at Florida A&M University.
Gabriel Dore of St. Thomas received the Miller Properties Scholarship to study mechanical engineering at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Two students received Charaf Family Fund scholarship awards, which also were given for the first time. Charmaine A. Martin of St. Thomas, who will attend Savannah State University, plans to be a doctor.
In a release announcing the scholarship awards, Dee Baecher-Brown, Community Foundation executive director, said that CFVI has received money to set up nine new scholarship funds. In addition to the NSL 80th Birthday Fund and the Charaf Family Fund, they are the Tunick Family Fund, the Island Heritage Insurance Co. Fund, the Medical Air Services Association Fund, the Beacons Community Learning Center Fund, the Anderson Family Fund, the Susannah A. Knight Fund, and the Craig & Sally Angels Fund.
Grants, awards and programs supported by these funds and not announced Monday will be made public in coming months.
The release also announced that:
– Richard L. Brown is the recipient of the foundation’s first Humanitarian of the Year award. Brown, a Charlotte Amalie High School teacher, is the volunteer coordinator of CFVI’s Fatherhood Collaborative, which sponsors the annual Fathers’ Night Out gatherings as well as other programs with a focus on fathers.
– Ruth Beagles and Trudie Prior have joined the foundation board.
– CFVI has disbursed a total of $300,000 in grants, scholarships and services during the last year.
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