Johnson & Wales University incoming sophomore Sa’akiim Arnold is the 2026 recipient of the Lorette Resch Scholarship, awarded by the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association’s Education and Training Committee. Arnold received $2,500 in scholarship funds on July 7 at a ceremony held at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas.
“The Education and Training Committee is proud to award this scholarship to Sa’akiim for the second consecutive year. Throughout his freshman year at Johnson & Wales University, Sa’akiim exemplified academic and professional excellence, earning a place on the Dean’s List and maintaining an impressive GPA. His continued hands-on experience, combined with his rigorous culinary training, reflects a deep-rooted dedication to his craft. We are confident Sa’akiim will continue to represent our association and territory with distinction,” said USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton.
Hamilton, Samuel Rey, owner of Host U Services and Chairman of the Education and Training Committee, and Kalina Kennedy, General Manager of three Travel+Leisure properties on St. Thomas and USVIHTA Chairman, along with representatives of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas presented Arnold with the scholarship check. Funding for the 2026 scholarship was made possible through a generous donation by Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove.
“I want my own kitchen, my own restaurant, serving dishes from my birthplace, the U.S. Virgin Islands. There isn’t enough representation of Virgin Islands’ cuisine on the mainland; although, as a region, we have a lot to offer in the culinary space. My goal is to highlight the Virgin Islands’ foods and beverages – to feature our unique, flavorful products, culture and history on the world stage. I know that I can make this possible,” Arnold wrote in his essay to the committee.
Arnold graduated from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in 2025 with numerous accolades and participation in extracurricular activities, including the Summer Employment Program, where he joined The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas in the culinary department. Arnold is attending Johnson & Wales University, working toward a Bachelor of Science in Food and Beverage Management and Culinary Arts. In addition to his academic and practical training, Arnold has received his Food Safety Manager Certification, made the Dean’s List and maintained a 3.75 GPA during his freshman year.
The Lorette Resch Scholarship is a vital initiative of the USVIHTA Education and Training Committee. Through continued support of education and training, the association and its members are empowering a new generation of hospitality and tourism leaders to guide the industry forward.
About USVIHTA: The U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association is a not-for-profit corporation, which serves as the unifying organization for hotels, guest houses, inns, condominiums, campgrounds and other tourism related business in the St. Thomas-St. John district of the United States Virgin Islands.
About the Lorette Resch Scholarship: The USVIHTA Education and Training Fund was established over two decades ago to aid youth who are seeking higher education with a concentration in hospitality. In 2014, the scholarship was posthumously named in honor of Lorette Resch, honorary member on the USVIHTA Board of Directors and scholarship contributor. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the requirements for admission into the hospitality/restaurant management program or business administration program at UVI or other USVIHTA approved hospitality schools. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least five years. Applicants must also submit documentation from their high school, including transcripts and recommendations, as well as an essay.
