Aug. 12, 2007 – St. Croix Rescue welcomed 27 new volunteers into its fold Sunday, the largest class in its 26-year history.
In remarks to the graduating class, 2007-1, Rescue Chief Gregory Richards said that he lost a $100 bet he made that half of the 33 people who signed up for the intensive class would drop out. But only six left, leaving 27 members to graduate.
The grand ballroom at Government House was packed with family members and government dignitaries including Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis and his wife, Cheryl, and First Lady Cecile deJongh, on hand to congratulate the graduates. Gov. John deJongh Jr., who was expected to give the keynote address, was unable to attend and Lt. Gov. Francis delivered that address.
“You are answering the highest call of duty,” he told the graduates, adding that the Virgin Islands community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude. “You are truly Virgin Islands heroes — saving lives and making a difference.”
St. Croix Rescue has provided emergency services and training since the early 1980s. Its members, all volunteers, are on duty 24 hours a day to respond to 911 calls. St. Croix Rescue offers training in CPR, high angle rescue and tactical rappelling, search and rescue, water safety and first aid, among other skills.
In remarks to her classmates, valedictorian Jamelia Harvey Moorehead, a nurse by training, said she had to overcome her fear of heights to be able to pass practical exercise involving rappelling, descending from the top of a building or cliff face by sliding down a rope.
Her classmates were like family, Moorehead said. Her own immediate family often took a back seat during her training, she said, adding that she will forever be grateful, especially to her husband, Kent, “for the many meals he cooked when I was too tired or just studying — and for the basic neglect that he endured.”
The graduates are:
Stephanie Bermudez
Jasmin Cintron
Indra L. Couvertier
Nilsa Cruz
Yamilix Cruz
Junior Dyett
Glenda Lee Felix
Shana Ferrance-Cannegieter
Jemma Fleary
Shirley Ford
Lepia Francis
Keith E. Francois
Brian Henderson
Kametricia James
Patricia C. Joseph
Ronaldo Lopez
Edith Martin
Fanny Melendez
Okeya R. Milligan
Jamilah Harvey Moorhead
Luciano E. Nibbs
Aisha Parrilla-Rhymer
Judy Phillip
Yvonne M. Sanes
Felisha Santiago
Tashira E. Torruella
Anya Jacobs
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