Aug. 10, 2003 — Hovensa has awarded four-year scholarships to six recent graduates of Virgin Islands high schools.
Four St. Croix high school students and two St. Thomas students received Hovensa scholarships in engineering, computer science, or business management. They are: Raymond Huntt, Samuel Rivera, Kernather Auguste, Jennifa Mohammed, James V. Hodge, and Natasha L. Hodge.
Two of the scholarship recipients are graduates of the St. Croix Educational Complex: Huntt and Rivera. Huntt will study at Southern Illinois University for a degree in computer engineering, and Rivera will study at the University of Delaware for a degree in chemical engineering.
St. Croix Central High School had two scholarship recipients: Auguste and Mohammed. Auguste will pursue a degree in civil and environmental engineering at Morehouse College, and Mohammed will pursue a degree at the University of the Virgin Islands in computer science.
The other two students awarded scholarships are James Hodge, a graduate of All Saints Cathedral School, who will study at the University of Dayton for a degree in computer science, and Natasha Hodge, a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, who will study at Morgan State University for a degree in business management.
In a press release, Hovensa Vice President Alex Moorhead said that for the first time this year, scholarship applicants who will study for a degree in chemical, mechanical, or electrical engineering were given preference by the company in the selection process. He added that the company made the change to encourage more Virgin Islanders to secure degrees in these professions so the territory could have a qualified pool of people to fill job openings in these fields. Hovensa has awarded the scholarships since 1999.
Moorhead said that Hovensa's greatest need is for chemical engineers. According to the press release, chemical engineers with good grades, but no prior experience, can command an annual salary of about $50,000.
Hovensa awards scholarships annually to Virgin Islands high school students based on their scholastic record and need for financial assistance. Moorhead noted that Hovensa also provides two scholarships annually for Virgin Islanders to enroll at UVI to study for an associate degree in process technology. This two-year program prepares people for employment in entry-level operating positions in processing companies such as Hovensa. (See "Hovensa, UVI commit to new degree program."
Persons interested in a scholarship to enroll in the process technology program should contact Hovensa's Valdemar Hill at 692-3407.
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