On Monday the 30th Legislature of the Virgin Islands paid tribute to the members of the Charlotte Amalie High School graduating class of 1954 with a plaque ceremony honoring them on their 60th anniversary.
At the ceremony held in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers, the class was honored with a resolution from the legislative body and a plaque for their unique cultural and historical connection to the Legislature’s Capitol building.
Iver Stridiron, executive director of the 30th Legislature and master of ceremonies for the event, stood at the podium and looked out at the still-vibrant faces. The class of 1954 was seated on the chamber platform in special seats covered in white cloth set out just for them.
"I’m hoping as you came into the chambers you looked around and marveled at how much changes have occurred in the 60-year period," he said.
“Oh yes,” the class said in unison.
"And I hope the chambers are as inviting now as they were when you went to school here," Stridiron said.
The Legislature’s Capitol building had once served as the Marine barracks and was the site of the historic transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States. However, from 1931-1936 and again from 1947-1954, the site was occupied by Charlotte Amalie High School students. The class being honored was the last group of students to graduate from the school at that location.
Class President Calvin Bastian said that the class had initially contacted resolution sponsor Sen. Myron D. Jackson for a tour of the premises, but Jackson believed a plaque ceremony would be more fitting.
The ceremony included statements from Sens. Craig Barshinger, Donald Cole, Clifford Graham, Janette Millin Young and Terrance "Positive" Nelson. Commissioner of Education Donna Frett-Gregory also shared some words with the class.
"’A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,’" she said, quoting Marcus Garvey. "Today as we celebrate this wonderful occasion we are building deep and strong roots."
Resolution No. 1810 was read aloud to the class of 1954. The resolution paid tribute to the class and their legacy. Later they were presented with a plaque with the resolution and a list of their names.
Musical selections from the Charlotte Amalie High School Choir reduced many of the graduates to tears. Aben Marrero, a founding member of the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, played a rendition of Rock Around the Clock on his electronic steel pan that had the graduates rocking in their seats. Bastian slid his way into the center of the chamber platform and broke into dance like a man half his age. Classmates cheered and the room erupted in applause.
The event was filled with laughter as many of the speakers used the ceremony to shout out their various CAHS classes.
"I’m a graduate of the illustrious class of 1975, the best of the best," said Jackson.
The Class of 1977 was the number one class, said Cole.
Bastian stepped to the podium and shut down any further dispute. "We never said we were the best. We don’t have to say that because we know we were the best," Bastian said.
In a more somber tone Bastian explained the importance of recording history. "You cannot know your history if you don’t keep records," he said. 
He continued, saying that an archive for the Virgin Islands isn’t something to think about abstractly and put off for tomorrow, but it should be in the works now, because every day we are making history. "It can’t be just an oral history. We need an archive," he said.
"You remember the play we had?" one of his classmates later asked him. "The Amazons?" In the play Bastian was supposedly casted as queen of the amazons.
"I always keep quiet about that," he said.
