Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is happy to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2024/25 academic year for its two undergraduate scholarship programs: the Noble Samuel Scholarship and the Jeffery Matheny Scholarship. Both programs are open to St. John high school seniors and undergraduates planning to study a field contributing to natural resource protection and conservation.
Recipients receive $2,500 per semester contingent on meeting scholarship requirements.
“It is exciting and rewarding to be able to support talented young Virgin Islanders as they pursue their dreams,” said Tonia Lovejoy, executive director of the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park
“Our youth are our future, and Friends is committed to building a pipeline of education opportunities for island youth — starting with our School Kids In The Park and Learn To Swim programs to our Summer Trail Crew opportunity, and internships and scholarships like these.”
The two scholarship programs that the Friends manages are:
- The Noble Samuel Scholarship and Internship was created in 2021 and is inspired by the life of Noble Samuel who was a ranger in Virgin Islands National Park known for generously sharing his love for our park with passion and humility. Recipients of this scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year are Ki’Janne’ Alfred (Stetson University, Florida); Sanaa Burke (University of Delaware); and Kaj Gerard (University of Virgin Islands).
- The Jeffery Matheny Scholarship was established in 2010 by his family in recognition of Jeffery’s love of St John and supports St. John students at the university level studying fields related to natural resource management and protection. Recipients of this scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year are Caliyah Helliger (Howard University); Una Alexander (Howard University); Lindsay Barr (Colorado State University); and Lyric Vacharat (University of North Carolina Wilmington).
More information and application forms can be found on the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park’s website at www.friendsVINP.org. Applications must be received by Friday, May 24.
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is the official philanthropic partner of Virgin Islands National Park. Since 1988, Friends has been assisting and advising the National Park Service in assuring VINP’s unique terrestrial and marine resources are protected, the Virgin Islands’ cultural treasures in the park are preserved, and visitors and community are connected to the park through volunteerism, education and advocacy.
For more information, go to www.friendsvinp.org.
