Sept. 27, 2001 – The territory's high schools have seven new stars in their academic crowns — seniors who have qualified as semifinalists in the national 2002 Achievement Scholarship Competition. That the honor comes to these students is no surprise to their school administrators: Without exception, principals, headmistresses and counselors praise the youngsters as role models in many areas — academic, social, extracurricular, sports, music and community service.
The competition, sponsored by the privately financed National Merit Scholarship Corp., was initiated in 1964 to honor outstanding black students and to increase their educational opportunities. More than 110,000 students nationwide entered the competition this year, and 1,500 semifinalists have been chosen. Approximately 700 finalists will be selected early next year to receive college scholarship awards.
The Virgin Islands qualifiers are:
Latoya Best, Charlotte Amalie High School
Jellana Canton, St. Croix Country Day School
Noelene Jeffers, Good Hope School
Bobbie King, All Saints Cathedral School
Antoinette Nibbs, Antilles School
Nicholas Phillips, Antilles School
Elenoe Crew Smith, Antilles School.
Latoya, the daughter of Chriszilear Best, has been at CAHS from ninth grade. Principal Jeannette Smith said she is "very serious about her education," and guidance counselor Nan Mulcare notes that she takes challenging classes. She studies piano, is on the yearbook staff and holds a part-time job. Latoya, who says "I thank God for bringing me this far," is interested in a career in the field of child psychology. There are approximately 300 seniors at CAHS.
Jellana has been a student at Country Day since seventh grade. Guidance counselor Mariska Nurse calls her a "meticulous student" who has held leadership positions throughout her school days. Jellana, daughter of Jurenne Walcott, is editor-in-chief of the yearbook, is active in Future Business Leaders of America, sings in the school chorus, and is a founding member of the student task force. Her graduating class has 24 seniors.
Noelene has been at Good Hope School since first grade. She says she's "excited, and it's a great honor." The director of the Good Hope Upper School, Mary Jane Provost, observes that not only is Noelene an excellent student, but for three years she has been yearbook editor — an unmatched feat of endurance. Noelene, daughter of Noel and Ermine, has tutored sixth-grade students for three years under the U.S. Attorney's mentoring program. Her senior class has 33 members.
Bobbie has been an All Saints student since third grade. Principal Louise S. Brady is "delighted and proud" but not surprised, because Bobbie has been an excellent student and has received highest honors on earlier national standard tests. Brady says he is an excellent role model in his extracurricular and social activities, and she predicts he will move on to high levels. Bobbie is the son of Robert and Mytsookko King.
Of Antilles School's three honorees in a senior class of 42 students, Headmistress Kathleen Knoepfel said, "These students are outstanding in every way. They have already made us proud of them as students and contributors in the community."
Antoinette's activities at Antilles include being secretary of the National Honor Society, singing with the school group Expressions. She also is a member of the Territorial Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, and last summer she worked as an instructor for the steelpan group. She has been at Antilles since ninth grade. The daughter of Cecily Charles and Alfonso Nibbs, she does volunteer work with peer tutoring, Family Resource Center and the Humane Society of St. Thomas.
Nicholas plays soccer and is a former captain of Antilles' cross country team. He has received coach's awards for cross country. He has been a student at Antilles since the age of 3. A member of the National Honor Society, he works with volunteer programs that benefit the community. The son of Juanita Young and John Phillips, he works part-time during the school year, and last summer he worked in the food-service field.
Crew, the name she goes by, is senior class president at Antilles, and she has been a class officer every year of high school. She has received coach's awards for citizenship in tennis and basketball and is a student of martial arts. Musically talented, she has won intermediate and advanced piano awards at the Arts Alive/Innovative Classical Music Competitions; she plays flute as well, and sings in her church choir and in the Antilles group Expressions. Crew, who started her studies at Antilles in fourth grade, is the daughter of Dr. Henry and Muriel Smith.
Despite such sterling credentials, the semifinalists cannot rest on their laurels.
The program provides that to be considered for Achievement Scholarship awards, "Semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling a number of requirements." They must have a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn Scholastic Aptitude Test scores that confirm their earlier national testing performance.
In addition, each semifinalist and an official of his or her high school must complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about "the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals."
For further information, visit the National Achievement Scholarship Program web site.
V.I. HAS 7 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS
Sept. 27, 2001 – The territory's high schools have seven new stars in their academic crowns — seniors who have qualified as semifinalists in the national 2002 Achievement Scholarship Competition. That the honor comes to these students is no surprise to their school administrators: Without exception, principals, headmistresses and counselors praise the youngsters as role models in many areas — academic, social, extracurricular, sports, music and community service.
The competition, sponsored by the privately financed National Merit Scholarship Corp., was initiated in 1964 to honor outstanding black students and to increase their educational opportunities. More than 110,000 students nationwide entered the competition this year, and 1,500 semifinalists have been chosen. Approximately 700 finalists will be selected early next year to receive college scholarship awards.
The Virgin Islands qualifiers are:
Latoya Best, Charlotte Amalie High School
Jellana Canton, St. Croix Country Day School
Noelene Jeffers, Good Hope School
Bobbie King, All Saints Cathedral School
Antoinette Nibbs, Antilles School
Nicholas Phillips, Antilles School
Elenoe Crew Smith, Antilles School.
Latoya, the daughter of Chriszilear Best, has been at CAHS from ninth grade. Principal Jeannette Smith said she is "very serious about her education," and guidance counselor Nan Mulcare notes that she takes challenging classes. She studies piano, is on the yearbook staff and holds a part-time job. Latoya, who says "I thank God for bringing me this far," is interested in a career in the field of child psychology. There are approximately 300 seniors at CAHS.
Jellana has been a student at Country Day since seventh grade. Guidance counselor Mariska Nurse calls her a "meticulous student" who has held leadership positions throughout her school days. Jellana, daughter of Jurenne Walcott, is editor-in-chief of the yearbook, is active in Future Business Leaders of America, sings in the school chorus, and is a founding member of the student task force. Her graduating class has 24 seniors.
Noelene has been at Good Hope School since first grade. She says she's "excited, and it's a great honor." The director of the Good Hope Upper School, Mary Jane Provost, observes that not only is Noelene an excellent student, but for three years she has been yearbook editor — an unmatched feat of endurance. Noelene, daughter of Noel and Ermine, has tutored sixth-grade students for three years under the U.S. Attorney's mentoring program. Her senior class has 33 members.
Bobbie has been an All Saints student since third grade. Principal Louise S. Brady is "delighted and proud" but not surprised, because Bobbie has been an excellent student and has received highest honors on earlier national standard tests. Brady says he is an excellent role model in his extracurricular and social activities, and she predicts he will move on to high levels. Bobbie is the son of Robert and Mytsookko King.
Of Antilles School's three honorees in a senior class of 42 students, Headmistress Kathleen Knoepfel said, "These students are outstanding in every way. They have already made us proud of them as students and contributors in the community."
Antoinette's activities at Antilles include being secretary of the National Honor Society, singing with the school group Expressions. She also is a member of the Territorial Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, and last summer she worked as an instructor for the steelpan group. She has been at Antilles since ninth grade. The daughter of Cecily Charles and Alfonso Nibbs, she does volunteer work with peer tutoring, Family Resource Center and the Humane Society of St. Thomas.
Nicholas plays soccer and is a former captain of Antilles' cross country team. He has received coach's awards for cross country. He has been a student at Antilles since the age of 3. A member of the National Honor Society, he works with volunteer programs that benefit the community. The son of Juanita Young and John Phillips, he works part-time during the school year, and last summer he worked in the food-service field.
Crew, the name she goes by, is senior class president at Antilles, and she has been a class officer every year of high school. She has received coach's awards for citizenship in tennis and basketball and is a student of martial arts. Musically talented, she has won intermediate and advanced piano awards at the Arts Alive/Innovative Classical Music Competitions; she plays flute as well, and sings in her church choir and in the Antilles group Expressions. Crew, who started her studies at Antilles in fourth grade, is the daughter of Dr. Henry and Muriel Smith.
Despite such sterling credentials, the semifinalists cannot rest on their laurels.
The program provides that to be considered for Achievement Scholarship awards, "Semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling a number of requirements." They must have a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn Scholastic Aptitude Test scores that confirm their earlier national testing performance.
In addition, each semifinalist and an official of his or her high school must complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about "the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals."
For further information, visit the National Achievement Scholarship Program web site.
The competition, sponsored by the privately financed National Merit Scholarship Corp., was initiated in 1964 to honor outstanding black students and to increase their educational opportunities. More than 110,000 students nationwide entered the competition this year, and 1,500 semifinalists have been chosen. Approximately 700 finalists will be selected early next year to receive college scholarship awards.
The Virgin Islands qualifiers are:
Latoya Best, Charlotte Amalie High School
Jellana Canton, St. Croix Country Day School
Noelene Jeffers, Good Hope School
Bobbie King, All Saints Cathedral School
Antoinette Nibbs, Antilles School
Nicholas Phillips, Antilles School
Elenoe Crew Smith, Antilles School.
Latoya, the daughter of Chriszilear Best, has been at CAHS from ninth grade. Principal Jeannette Smith said she is "very serious about her education," and guidance counselor Nan Mulcare notes that she takes challenging classes. She studies piano, is on the yearbook staff and holds a part-time job. Latoya, who says "I thank God for bringing me this far," is interested in a career in the field of child psychology. There are approximately 300 seniors at CAHS.
Jellana has been a student at Country Day since seventh grade. Guidance counselor Mariska Nurse calls her a "meticulous student" who has held leadership positions throughout her school days. Jellana, daughter of Jurenne Walcott, is editor-in-chief of the yearbook, is active in Future Business Leaders of America, sings in the school chorus, and is a founding member of the student task force. Her graduating class has 24 seniors.
Noelene has been at Good Hope School since first grade. She says she's "excited, and it's a great honor." The director of the Good Hope Upper School, Mary Jane Provost, observes that not only is Noelene an excellent student, but for three years she has been yearbook editor — an unmatched feat of endurance. Noelene, daughter of Noel and Ermine, has tutored sixth-grade students for three years under the U.S. Attorney's mentoring program. Her senior class has 33 members.
Bobbie has been an All Saints student since third grade. Principal Louise S. Brady is "delighted and proud" but not surprised, because Bobbie has been an excellent student and has received highest honors on earlier national standard tests. Brady says he is an excellent role model in his extracurricular and social activities, and she predicts he will move on to high levels. Bobbie is the son of Robert and Mytsookko King.
Of Antilles School's three honorees in a senior class of 42 students, Headmistress Kathleen Knoepfel said, "These students are outstanding in every way. They have already made us proud of them as students and contributors in the community."
Antoinette's activities at Antilles include being secretary of the National Honor Society, singing with the school group Expressions. She also is a member of the Territorial Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, and last summer she worked as an instructor for the steelpan group. She has been at Antilles since ninth grade. The daughter of Cecily Charles and Alfonso Nibbs, she does volunteer work with peer tutoring, Family Resource Center and the Humane Society of St. Thomas.
Nicholas plays soccer and is a former captain of Antilles' cross country team. He has received coach's awards for cross country. He has been a student at Antilles since the age of 3. A member of the National Honor Society, he works with volunteer programs that benefit the community. The son of Juanita Young and John Phillips, he works part-time during the school year, and last summer he worked in the food-service field.
Crew, the name she goes by, is senior class president at Antilles, and she has been a class officer every year of high school. She has received coach's awards for citizenship in tennis and basketball and is a student of martial arts. Musically talented, she has won intermediate and advanced piano awards at the Arts Alive/Innovative Classical Music Competitions; she plays flute as well, and sings in her church choir and in the Antilles group Expressions. Crew, who started her studies at Antilles in fourth grade, is the daughter of Dr. Henry and Muriel Smith.
Despite such sterling credentials, the semifinalists cannot rest on their laurels.
The program provides that to be considered for Achievement Scholarship awards, "Semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling a number of requirements." They must have a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn Scholastic Aptitude Test scores that confirm their earlier national testing performance.
In addition, each semifinalist and an official of his or her high school must complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about "the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals."
For further information, visit the National Achievement Scholarship Program web site.
V.I. HAS 7 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS
Sept. 27, 2001 – The territory's high schools have seven new stars in their academic crowns — seniors who have qualified as semifinalists in the national 2002 Achievement Scholarship Competition. That the honor comes to these students is no surprise to their school administrators: Without exception, principals, headmistresses and counselors praise the youngsters as role models in many areas — academic, social, extracurricular, sports, music and community service.
The competition, sponsored by the privately financed National Merit Scholarship Corp., was initiated in 1964 to honor outstanding black students and to increase their educational opportunities. More than 110,000 students nationwide entered the competition this year, and 1,500 semifinalists have been chosen. Approximately 700 finalists will be selected early next year to receive college scholarship awards.
The Virgin Islands qualifiers are:
Latoya Best, Charlotte Amalie High School
Jellana Canton, St. Croix Country Day School
Noelene Jeffers, Good Hope School
Bobbie King, All Saints Cathedral School
Antoinette Nibbs, Antilles School
Nicholas Phillips, Antilles School
Elenoe Crew Smith, Antilles School.
Latoya, the daughter of Chriszilear Best, has been at CAHS from ninth grade. Principal Jeannette Smith said she is "very serious about her education," and guidance counselor Nan Mulcare notes that she takes challenging classes. She studies piano, is on the yearbook staff and holds a part-time job. Latoya, who says "I thank God for bringing me this far," is interested in a career in the field of child psychology. There are approximately 300 seniors at CAHS.
Jellana has been a student at Country Day since seventh grade. Guidance counselor Mariska Nurse calls her a "meticulous student" who has held leadership positions throughout her school days. Jellana, daughter of Jurenne Walcott, is editor-in-chief of the yearbook, is active in Future Business Leaders of America, sings in the school chorus, and is a founding member of the student task force. Her graduating class has 24 seniors.
Noelene has been at Good Hope School since first grade. She says she's "excited, and it's a great honor." The director of the Good Hope Upper School, Mary Jane Provost, observes that not only is Noelene an excellent student, but for three years she has been yearbook editor — an unmatched feat of endurance. Noelene, daughter of Noel and Ermine, has tutored sixth-grade students for three years under the U.S. Attorney's mentoring program. Her senior class has 33 members.
Bobbie has been an All Saints student since third grade. Principal Louise S. Brady is "delighted and proud" but not surprised, because Bobbie has been an excellent student and has received highest honors on earlier national standard tests. Brady says he is an excellent role model in his extracurricular and social activities, and she predicts he will move on to high levels. Bobbie is the son of Robert and Mytsookko King.
Of Antilles School's three honorees in a senior class of 42 students, Headmistress Kathleen Knoepfel said, "These students are outstanding in every way. They have already made us proud of them as students and contributors in the community."
Antoinette's activities at Antilles include being secretary of the National Honor Society, singing with the school group Expressions. She also is a member of the Territorial Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, and last summer she worked as an instructor for the steelpan group. She has been at Antilles since ninth grade. The daughter of Cecily Charles and Alfonso Nibbs, she does volunteer work with peer tutoring, Family Resource Center and the Humane Society of St. Thomas.
Nicholas plays soccer and is a former captain of Antilles' cross country team. He has received coach's awards for cross country. He has been a student at Antilles since the age of 3. A member of the National Honor Society, he works with volunteer programs that benefit the community. The son of Juanita Young and John Phillips, he works part-time during the school year, and last summer he worked in the food-service field.
Crew, the name she goes by, is senior class president at Antilles, and she has been a class officer every year of high school. She has received coach's awards for citizenship in tennis and basketball and is a student of martial arts. Musically talented, she has won intermediate and advanced piano awards at the Arts Alive/Innovative Classical Music Competitions; she plays flute as well, and sings in her church choir and in the Antilles group Expressions. Crew, who started her studies at Antilles in fourth grade, is the daughter of Dr. Henry and Muriel Smith.
Despite such sterling credentials, the semifinalists cannot rest on their laurels.
The program provides that to be considered for Achievement Scholarship awards, "Semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling a number of requirements." They must have a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn Scholastic Aptitude Test scores that confirm their earlier national testing performance.
In addition, each semifinalist and an official of his or her high school must complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about "the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals."
For further information, visit the National Achievement Scholarship Program web site.
The competition, sponsored by the privately financed National Merit Scholarship Corp., was initiated in 1964 to honor outstanding black students and to increase their educational opportunities. More than 110,000 students nationwide entered the competition this year, and 1,500 semifinalists have been chosen. Approximately 700 finalists will be selected early next year to receive college scholarship awards.
The Virgin Islands qualifiers are:
Latoya Best, Charlotte Amalie High School
Jellana Canton, St. Croix Country Day School
Noelene Jeffers, Good Hope School
Bobbie King, All Saints Cathedral School
Antoinette Nibbs, Antilles School
Nicholas Phillips, Antilles School
Elenoe Crew Smith, Antilles School.
Latoya, the daughter of Chriszilear Best, has been at CAHS from ninth grade. Principal Jeannette Smith said she is "very serious about her education," and guidance counselor Nan Mulcare notes that she takes challenging classes. She studies piano, is on the yearbook staff and holds a part-time job. Latoya, who says "I thank God for bringing me this far," is interested in a career in the field of child psychology. There are approximately 300 seniors at CAHS.
Jellana has been a student at Country Day since seventh grade. Guidance counselor Mariska Nurse calls her a "meticulous student" who has held leadership positions throughout her school days. Jellana, daughter of Jurenne Walcott, is editor-in-chief of the yearbook, is active in Future Business Leaders of America, sings in the school chorus, and is a founding member of the student task force. Her graduating class has 24 seniors.
Noelene has been at Good Hope School since first grade. She says she's "excited, and it's a great honor." The director of the Good Hope Upper School, Mary Jane Provost, observes that not only is Noelene an excellent student, but for three years she has been yearbook editor — an unmatched feat of endurance. Noelene, daughter of Noel and Ermine, has tutored sixth-grade students for three years under the U.S. Attorney's mentoring program. Her senior class has 33 members.
Bobbie has been an All Saints student since third grade. Principal Louise S. Brady is "delighted and proud" but not surprised, because Bobbie has been an excellent student and has received highest honors on earlier national standard tests. Brady says he is an excellent role model in his extracurricular and social activities, and she predicts he will move on to high levels. Bobbie is the son of Robert and Mytsookko King.
Of Antilles School's three honorees in a senior class of 42 students, Headmistress Kathleen Knoepfel said, "These students are outstanding in every way. They have already made us proud of them as students and contributors in the community."
Antoinette's activities at Antilles include being secretary of the National Honor Society, singing with the school group Expressions. She also is a member of the Territorial Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, and last summer she worked as an instructor for the steelpan group. She has been at Antilles since ninth grade. The daughter of Cecily Charles and Alfonso Nibbs, she does volunteer work with peer tutoring, Family Resource Center and the Humane Society of St. Thomas.
Nicholas plays soccer and is a former captain of Antilles' cross country team. He has received coach's awards for cross country. He has been a student at Antilles since the age of 3. A member of the National Honor Society, he works with volunteer programs that benefit the community. The son of Juanita Young and John Phillips, he works part-time during the school year, and last summer he worked in the food-service field.
Crew, the name she goes by, is senior class president at Antilles, and she has been a class officer every year of high school. She has received coach's awards for citizenship in tennis and basketball and is a student of martial arts. Musically talented, she has won intermediate and advanced piano awards at the Arts Alive/Innovative Classical Music Competitions; she plays flute as well, and sings in her church choir and in the Antilles group Expressions. Crew, who started her studies at Antilles in fourth grade, is the daughter of Dr. Henry and Muriel Smith.
Despite such sterling credentials, the semifinalists cannot rest on their laurels.
The program provides that to be considered for Achievement Scholarship awards, "Semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling a number of requirements." They must have a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn Scholastic Aptitude Test scores that confirm their earlier national testing performance.
In addition, each semifinalist and an official of his or her high school must complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about "the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals."
For further information, visit the National Achievement Scholarship Program web site.
SHINING MOMENTS HARD TO COME BY IN 'GLITTER'
Sept. 27, 2001 – We tried, really tried, to find a web critic with something good to say about "Glitter," Mariah Carey's first major-role feature film. This is the best we could do:
Apollo Movie Guide: It's just a bland and tiresome, utterly predictable rags-to-riches story of a pop music star and her difficult personal life … shallow sentiment, awful dialogue, loose plot threads, a sucky romantic subplot and ugly voice dubbing in places.
Mr. Showbiz: Only diehard Mariah Carey fans, 11-year-old girls, or anyone truly desperate to escape [Sept. 11's] terror might find some reason to sit through this bland, bloated, self-addressed valentine … Sure, Mariah's no actress — her technique, bless her wide-eyed-songbird little heart, is just a compendium of throaty whispers and raised "Oh, no, you didn't!" eyebrows — but she's got nothing to work with.
The Cranky Critic: "Glitter" is an idea which was never developed into a full story … incompetently directed and filled with visually tortuous gimmicky edits and effects … Very little in this film looks anything like what those days [1980s] were like. A lot of it has to do with the "no drugs allowed" policy of current films. Some of it has to do with the fact that no research seems to have been done about how the biz works.
Hollywood.com: It is difficult to gauge Carey's performance in this film since she does not have that many lines. The ones she does have are so clichéd it is almost difficult to keep a straight face when she utters them. "Glitter" is also littered with slow-motion shots that are accompanied with dumb swooshing sounds. It's a musically inclined film without a decent soundtrack to back it.
The story, should you still care, is about Billie (Carey), a mixed-race singer who rises from poverty to become a star. Publicity goes to extremes to say it's not the Mariah Carey story, which of course raises the question of why they would do that. Billie's life is peopled by two girlfriends (Da Brat, Tia Texada) from their childhood in an orphanage, a pimp/producer (Terrence Howard), a DJ/producer/seducer (Max Beesley), and her mother (Valarie Pettiford).
The most emotional pang of the whole pic may be the shots of New York City with the World Trade Center towers still in place.
Carey's only previous experience on the big screen was in a supporting role in "the Bachelor" in 1999. Now, she already has another film in the can, a mob comedy, "Wisegirls."
Rated PG-13. Playing at Diamond Cinemas.
Apollo Movie Guide: It's just a bland and tiresome, utterly predictable rags-to-riches story of a pop music star and her difficult personal life … shallow sentiment, awful dialogue, loose plot threads, a sucky romantic subplot and ugly voice dubbing in places.
Mr. Showbiz: Only diehard Mariah Carey fans, 11-year-old girls, or anyone truly desperate to escape [Sept. 11's] terror might find some reason to sit through this bland, bloated, self-addressed valentine … Sure, Mariah's no actress — her technique, bless her wide-eyed-songbird little heart, is just a compendium of throaty whispers and raised "Oh, no, you didn't!" eyebrows — but she's got nothing to work with.
The Cranky Critic: "Glitter" is an idea which was never developed into a full story … incompetently directed and filled with visually tortuous gimmicky edits and effects … Very little in this film looks anything like what those days [1980s] were like. A lot of it has to do with the "no drugs allowed" policy of current films. Some of it has to do with the fact that no research seems to have been done about how the biz works.
Hollywood.com: It is difficult to gauge Carey's performance in this film since she does not have that many lines. The ones she does have are so clichéd it is almost difficult to keep a straight face when she utters them. "Glitter" is also littered with slow-motion shots that are accompanied with dumb swooshing sounds. It's a musically inclined film without a decent soundtrack to back it.
The story, should you still care, is about Billie (Carey), a mixed-race singer who rises from poverty to become a star. Publicity goes to extremes to say it's not the Mariah Carey story, which of course raises the question of why they would do that. Billie's life is peopled by two girlfriends (Da Brat, Tia Texada) from their childhood in an orphanage, a pimp/producer (Terrence Howard), a DJ/producer/seducer (Max Beesley), and her mother (Valarie Pettiford).
The most emotional pang of the whole pic may be the shots of New York City with the World Trade Center towers still in place.
Carey's only previous experience on the big screen was in a supporting role in "the Bachelor" in 1999. Now, she already has another film in the can, a mob comedy, "Wisegirls."
Rated PG-13. Playing at Diamond Cinemas.
SHINING MOMENTS HARD TO COME BY IN 'GLITTER'
Sept. 27, 2001 – We tried, really tried, to find a web critic with something good to say about "Glitter," Mariah Carey's first major-role feature film. This is the best we could do:
Apollo Movie Guide: It's just a bland and tiresome, utterly predictable rags-to-riches story of a pop music star and her difficult personal life … shallow sentiment, awful dialogue, loose plot threads, a sucky romantic subplot and ugly voice dubbing in places.
Mr. Showbiz: Only diehard Mariah Carey fans, 11-year-old girls, or anyone truly desperate to escape [Sept. 11's] terror might find some reason to sit through this bland, bloated, self-addressed valentine … Sure, Mariah's no actress — her technique, bless her wide-eyed-songbird little heart, is just a compendium of throaty whispers and raised "Oh, no, you didn't!" eyebrows — but she's got nothing to work with.
The Cranky Critic: "Glitter" is an idea which was never developed into a full story … incompetently directed and filled with visually tortuous gimmicky edits and effects … Very little in this film looks anything like what those days [1980s] were like. A lot of it has to do with the "no drugs allowed" policy of current films. Some of it has to do with the fact that no research seems to have been done about how the biz works.
Hollywood.com: It is difficult to gauge Carey's performance in this film since she does not have that many lines. The ones she does have are so clichéd it is almost difficult to keep a straight face when she utters them. "Glitter" is also littered with slow-motion shots that are accompanied with dumb swooshing sounds. It's a musically inclined film without a decent soundtrack to back it.
The story, should you still care, is about Billie (Carey), a mixed-race singer who rises from poverty to become a star. Publicity goes to extremes to say it's not the Mariah Carey story, which of course raises the question of why they would do that. Billie's life is peopled by two girlfriends (Da Brat, Tia Texada) from their childhood in an orphanage, a pimp/producer (Terrence Howard), a DJ/producer/seducer (Max Beesley), and her mother (Valarie Pettiford).
The most emotional pang of the whole pic may be the shots of New York City with the World Trade Center towers still in place.
Carey's only previous experience on the big screen was in a supporting role in "the Bachelor" in 1999. Now, she already has another film in the can, a mob comedy, "Wisegirls."
Rated PG-13. Playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
Apollo Movie Guide: It's just a bland and tiresome, utterly predictable rags-to-riches story of a pop music star and her difficult personal life … shallow sentiment, awful dialogue, loose plot threads, a sucky romantic subplot and ugly voice dubbing in places.
Mr. Showbiz: Only diehard Mariah Carey fans, 11-year-old girls, or anyone truly desperate to escape [Sept. 11's] terror might find some reason to sit through this bland, bloated, self-addressed valentine … Sure, Mariah's no actress — her technique, bless her wide-eyed-songbird little heart, is just a compendium of throaty whispers and raised "Oh, no, you didn't!" eyebrows — but she's got nothing to work with.
The Cranky Critic: "Glitter" is an idea which was never developed into a full story … incompetently directed and filled with visually tortuous gimmicky edits and effects … Very little in this film looks anything like what those days [1980s] were like. A lot of it has to do with the "no drugs allowed" policy of current films. Some of it has to do with the fact that no research seems to have been done about how the biz works.
Hollywood.com: It is difficult to gauge Carey's performance in this film since she does not have that many lines. The ones she does have are so clichéd it is almost difficult to keep a straight face when she utters them. "Glitter" is also littered with slow-motion shots that are accompanied with dumb swooshing sounds. It's a musically inclined film without a decent soundtrack to back it.
The story, should you still care, is about Billie (Carey), a mixed-race singer who rises from poverty to become a star. Publicity goes to extremes to say it's not the Mariah Carey story, which of course raises the question of why they would do that. Billie's life is peopled by two girlfriends (Da Brat, Tia Texada) from their childhood in an orphanage, a pimp/producer (Terrence Howard), a DJ/producer/seducer (Max Beesley), and her mother (Valarie Pettiford).
The most emotional pang of the whole pic may be the shots of New York City with the World Trade Center towers still in place.
Carey's only previous experience on the big screen was in a supporting role in "the Bachelor" in 1999. Now, she already has another film in the can, a mob comedy, "Wisegirls."
Rated PG-13. Playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.
SHINING MOMENTS HARD TO COME BY IN 'GLITTER'
Sept. 27, 2001 – We tried, really tried, to find a web critic with something good to say about "Glitter," Mariah Carey's first major-role feature film. This is the best we could do:
Apollo Movie Guide: It's just a bland and tiresome, utterly predictable rags-to-riches story of a pop music star and her difficult personal life … shallow sentiment, awful dialogue, loose plot threads, a sucky romantic subplot and ugly voice dubbing in places.
Mr. Showbiz: Only diehard Mariah Carey fans, 11-year-old girls, or anyone truly desperate to escape [Sept. 11's] terror might find some reason to sit through this bland, bloated, self-addressed valentine … Sure, Mariah's no actress — her technique, bless her wide-eyed-songbird little heart, is just a compendium of throaty whispers and raised "Oh, no, you didn't!" eyebrows — but she's got nothing to work with.
The Cranky Critic: "Glitter" is an idea which was never developed into a full story … incompetently directed and filled with visually tortuous gimmicky edits and effects … Very little in this film looks anything like what those days [1980s] were like. A lot of it has to do with the "no drugs allowed" policy of current films. Some of it has to do with the fact that no research seems to have been done about how the biz works.
Hollywood.com: It is difficult to gauge Carey's performance in this film since she does not have that many lines. The ones she does have are so clichéd it is almost difficult to keep a straight face when she utters them. "Glitter" is also littered with slow-motion shots that are accompanied with dumb swooshing sounds. It's a musically inclined film without a decent soundtrack to back it.
The story, should you still care, is about Billie (Carey), a mixed-race singer who rises from poverty to become a star. Publicity goes to extremes to say it's not the Mariah Carey story, which of course raises the question of why they would do that. Billie's life is peopled by two girlfriends (Da Brat, Tia Texada) from their childhood in an orphanage, a pimp/producer (Terrence Howard), a DJ/producer/seducer (Max Beesley), and her mother (Valarie Pettiford).
The most emotional pang of the whole pic may be the shots of New York City with the World Trade Center towers still in place.
Carey's only previous experience on the big screen was in a supporting role in "the Bachelor" in 1999. Now, she already has another film in the can, a mob comedy, "Wisegirls."
Rated PG-13. Playing at Market Square East.
Apollo Movie Guide: It's just a bland and tiresome, utterly predictable rags-to-riches story of a pop music star and her difficult personal life … shallow sentiment, awful dialogue, loose plot threads, a sucky romantic subplot and ugly voice dubbing in places.
Mr. Showbiz: Only diehard Mariah Carey fans, 11-year-old girls, or anyone truly desperate to escape [Sept. 11's] terror might find some reason to sit through this bland, bloated, self-addressed valentine … Sure, Mariah's no actress — her technique, bless her wide-eyed-songbird little heart, is just a compendium of throaty whispers and raised "Oh, no, you didn't!" eyebrows — but she's got nothing to work with.
The Cranky Critic: "Glitter" is an idea which was never developed into a full story … incompetently directed and filled with visually tortuous gimmicky edits and effects … Very little in this film looks anything like what those days [1980s] were like. A lot of it has to do with the "no drugs allowed" policy of current films. Some of it has to do with the fact that no research seems to have been done about how the biz works.
Hollywood.com: It is difficult to gauge Carey's performance in this film since she does not have that many lines. The ones she does have are so clichéd it is almost difficult to keep a straight face when she utters them. "Glitter" is also littered with slow-motion shots that are accompanied with dumb swooshing sounds. It's a musically inclined film without a decent soundtrack to back it.
The story, should you still care, is about Billie (Carey), a mixed-race singer who rises from poverty to become a star. Publicity goes to extremes to say it's not the Mariah Carey story, which of course raises the question of why they would do that. Billie's life is peopled by two girlfriends (Da Brat, Tia Texada) from their childhood in an orphanage, a pimp/producer (Terrence Howard), a DJ/producer/seducer (Max Beesley), and her mother (Valarie Pettiford).
The most emotional pang of the whole pic may be the shots of New York City with the World Trade Center towers still in place.
Carey's only previous experience on the big screen was in a supporting role in "the Bachelor" in 1999. Now, she already has another film in the can, a mob comedy, "Wisegirls."
Rated PG-13. Playing at Market Square East.
SYLVANITA CARTY FUNERAL SERVICE
Sylvanita Carty died Sept. 24. her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Christ Church Methodist. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. prior to the service.
She is survived by her stepmother Mildred Gordon; adopted son Tyrone Paul; brothers Stanley, Julian and Wesley Gordon; sisters Lillett & Ruth Gordon, Louise Lettsome and Naomi Gordon-Smith.
Arrangements by Creque Funeral Home.
She is survived by her stepmother Mildred Gordon; adopted son Tyrone Paul; brothers Stanley, Julian and Wesley Gordon; sisters Lillett & Ruth Gordon, Louise Lettsome and Naomi Gordon-Smith.
Arrangements by Creque Funeral Home.
ALETA ADELA FRETT-LETTSOME FUNERAL
Adeta Adela Frett-Lettsome, age 85, died at Peebles Hospital, Tortola, on Sept. 19. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at E E SOA Church. Viewing will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. preceding the service. Internment will be in Greenland Cemetery.
She is survived by sons Darwin, Eddie, Jonah, and James Lettsome; daughters Marjorie Lettsome-Frett, Esmie Lettsome George, Yvonne Lettsome George, Ruby Lettsome Cain, Lydia Lettsome Jackson, Rosa Lettsome Turnbull and Virisks Lettsome Allen; 34 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
She is survived by sons Darwin, Eddie, Jonah, and James Lettsome; daughters Marjorie Lettsome-Frett, Esmie Lettsome George, Yvonne Lettsome George, Ruby Lettsome Cain, Lydia Lettsome Jackson, Rosa Lettsome Turnbull and Virisks Lettsome Allen; 34 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
SEPTEMBER 2001 BRAINSTORM
Here, a little later than usual because I have been on Skyros for a month,
is our monthly bulletin. I scrapped the original in favor of this shorter
version because I felt something different was appropriate in light of the
events of September 11.
PUT ASIDE SOME TIME FOR CREATING OUR FUTURE
In Skyros I was leading a workshop called Create Your Future when news came
in of the terrible events in the United States. Suddenly we were reminded of
the degree to which others also create our collective future, and also how
puny some of our selfish goals seem in this larger context. Maybe there are
no grand gestures to make, but we can spend a bit of time every week thinking
of small changes or actions that might collectively help to make this more
the kind of world that offers a better future for everyone. Among these are:
Donating time and money to organizations that make life less miserable for
the poor.
Taking more care in terms of how we treat the environment.
Taking the time to let our elected representatives know what response we
want them to make.
Finding ways to help children retain their natural creativity and joy and
openness.
Letting the people we care about know how we feel.
Making the effort to find what unites us rather than what divides us.
Convincing those in power that when what we have done in the past does not
work, it is time to do something different.
I am aware that all of these sound prosaic, yet if enough people did these
very ordinary things, the world would change.
HOW TO BE EXCEPTIONAL
Bernie Siegel is a surgeon and author of several books, including "Love,
Medicine and Miracles." In an interview, he talked about the qualities of
patients who do well in their battle with cancer. He said:
"My wife came up with the term exceptional cancer patients. We realized that
a minority of people really participate fully; it is not about dying, it is
about living. They are not afraid to take on challenges. So this is what I
began to teach. There is a personality to survivors. This is true of any
activity you go into. If you said what makes a great athlete, actor,
statesman, whatever, you would find they have certain qualities. These
qualities are: action in terms of expressing emotion and doing things,
willingness to change your life, seeking wisdom and knowledge, and the
spiritual, devotional aspect. What I (also) found with one hundred percent
of these patients, if what they were doing did not work they would then have
alternatives.
You have to look at your life, because you could live seven years and say, I
have done all I came to do, or you may live 97 years and still not have done
what you were sent here to do. People need to say, What am I here for, what
is the purpose of my existence?"
A HEALING STORY
Martin Bronfman was diagnosed as having terminal cancer, but he healed
himself of it. I think what he wrote applies to healing an individual, a
family, a society, the world:
"When there has been a recognition of the path to health, nothing must
interfere with that path. The development and maintenance of a positive
mental attitude is imperative. Nothing else must be more important.
It is imperative that we keep our hearts open and replace judgement with
acceptance. It is vital that we learn to love once more, and to allow
ourselves to be loved. We must relate in our relationships and use
communication to clear misunderstandings and disagreements.
With our hearts open to the love all round us, and fully accepting
ourselves,we can heal anything. Anything can be healed."
Until next time, Jurgen
is our monthly bulletin. I scrapped the original in favor of this shorter
version because I felt something different was appropriate in light of the
events of September 11.
PUT ASIDE SOME TIME FOR CREATING OUR FUTURE
In Skyros I was leading a workshop called Create Your Future when news came
in of the terrible events in the United States. Suddenly we were reminded of
the degree to which others also create our collective future, and also how
puny some of our selfish goals seem in this larger context. Maybe there are
no grand gestures to make, but we can spend a bit of time every week thinking
of small changes or actions that might collectively help to make this more
the kind of world that offers a better future for everyone. Among these are:
Donating time and money to organizations that make life less miserable for
the poor.
Taking more care in terms of how we treat the environment.
Taking the time to let our elected representatives know what response we
want them to make.
Finding ways to help children retain their natural creativity and joy and
openness.
Letting the people we care about know how we feel.
Making the effort to find what unites us rather than what divides us.
Convincing those in power that when what we have done in the past does not
work, it is time to do something different.
I am aware that all of these sound prosaic, yet if enough people did these
very ordinary things, the world would change.
HOW TO BE EXCEPTIONAL
Bernie Siegel is a surgeon and author of several books, including "Love,
Medicine and Miracles." In an interview, he talked about the qualities of
patients who do well in their battle with cancer. He said:
"My wife came up with the term exceptional cancer patients. We realized that
a minority of people really participate fully; it is not about dying, it is
about living. They are not afraid to take on challenges. So this is what I
began to teach. There is a personality to survivors. This is true of any
activity you go into. If you said what makes a great athlete, actor,
statesman, whatever, you would find they have certain qualities. These
qualities are: action in terms of expressing emotion and doing things,
willingness to change your life, seeking wisdom and knowledge, and the
spiritual, devotional aspect. What I (also) found with one hundred percent
of these patients, if what they were doing did not work they would then have
alternatives.
You have to look at your life, because you could live seven years and say, I
have done all I came to do, or you may live 97 years and still not have done
what you were sent here to do. People need to say, What am I here for, what
is the purpose of my existence?"
A HEALING STORY
Martin Bronfman was diagnosed as having terminal cancer, but he healed
himself of it. I think what he wrote applies to healing an individual, a
family, a society, the world:
"When there has been a recognition of the path to health, nothing must
interfere with that path. The development and maintenance of a positive
mental attitude is imperative. Nothing else must be more important.
It is imperative that we keep our hearts open and replace judgement with
acceptance. It is vital that we learn to love once more, and to allow
ourselves to be loved. We must relate in our relationships and use
communication to clear misunderstandings and disagreements.
With our hearts open to the love all round us, and fully accepting
ourselves,we can heal anything. Anything can be healed."
Until next time, Jurgen
Editor's note: Requests to subscribe (or unsubscribe) should be sent to BstormUK@aol.com. We also welcome your comments and suggestions, and we do not sell or share our mailing lists. (Contents copyright 2001, Jurgen Wolff)
POLICE, GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATIONS BREAK DOWN
Sept. 27, 2001 — With the breakdown of contract negotiations between the Turnbull administration and the territory’s two rank and file police unions, both sides are resorting to press conferences to air their positions.
Negotiations between the St. Croix and St. Thomas Police Benevolent Associations and the administration’s Office of Collective Bargaining ended Friday after union officials declared an impasse. The issue will now go before a three-member arbitration panel.
On Tuesday, union officials held a press conference and blasted the administration, particularly chief negotiator Karen Andrews, for what they termed the government’s flaunting of negotiation ground rules, rejection of union bargaining points and paltry wage increase proposals.
In response to the PBA press conference, Andrews, Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Police Commissioner Franz Christian have scheduled one of their own for Thursday on St. Croix.
The St. Croix PBA pPresident, Naomi Joseph, ripped Andrews on Tuesday for starting negotiations eight hours late on one day and for comments that the territory’s police officers are already being paid comparable to officers on the mainland.
Joseph scoffed at that notion and said that even with the government’s plan to pay government workers their step increases by Oct. 16, police officers would still be getting paid at 1998 levels. She said the government offered officers, whose last contract expired in September 1999, raises of 3 percent for 2001, 2 percent for 2002, and 1.5 percent for 2003. No salary increases were proposed for 1999 and 2000.
Joseph said the increases total about 33 cents an hour for the approximately 300 police officers in the two districts.
"That ain’t no money to offer an officer," she said. "That is an insult."
Because of that, Joseph said, the unions declared an impasse. That means an arbitration panel will decide the issue. Because police officers are Class III employees, their union and the government do not have to agree mutually to go through normal impasse procedures such as mediation, said Andrews. "Class III can declare impasse at any time," she said. "Frankly, I think there was room to continue discussions."
According to the PBA’s collective bargaining agreement and the Public Employees Labor Relations Act, Class III employees are prohibited from striking due to public safety issues. But that hasn’t kept officers from staging sick-outs in the past. About a year ago, a Territorial Court judge ordered officers to report to work after they staged such an action over low pay and working conditions.
Andrews said she would respond to the unions’ allegations at the government’s press conference on Thursday. She said that since the unions went public with specific bargaining points, the government must answer in kind. But it is not out of disrespect for the officers, she said.
"I always say these are our employees first," Andrews said. "I highly respect our men and women in blue. I’m not here to incite them."
The government press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Patrick Sweeney Headquarters on St. Croix.
Negotiations between the St. Croix and St. Thomas Police Benevolent Associations and the administration’s Office of Collective Bargaining ended Friday after union officials declared an impasse. The issue will now go before a three-member arbitration panel.
On Tuesday, union officials held a press conference and blasted the administration, particularly chief negotiator Karen Andrews, for what they termed the government’s flaunting of negotiation ground rules, rejection of union bargaining points and paltry wage increase proposals.
In response to the PBA press conference, Andrews, Attorney General Iver Stridiron and Police Commissioner Franz Christian have scheduled one of their own for Thursday on St. Croix.
The St. Croix PBA pPresident, Naomi Joseph, ripped Andrews on Tuesday for starting negotiations eight hours late on one day and for comments that the territory’s police officers are already being paid comparable to officers on the mainland.
Joseph scoffed at that notion and said that even with the government’s plan to pay government workers their step increases by Oct. 16, police officers would still be getting paid at 1998 levels. She said the government offered officers, whose last contract expired in September 1999, raises of 3 percent for 2001, 2 percent for 2002, and 1.5 percent for 2003. No salary increases were proposed for 1999 and 2000.
Joseph said the increases total about 33 cents an hour for the approximately 300 police officers in the two districts.
"That ain’t no money to offer an officer," she said. "That is an insult."
Because of that, Joseph said, the unions declared an impasse. That means an arbitration panel will decide the issue. Because police officers are Class III employees, their union and the government do not have to agree mutually to go through normal impasse procedures such as mediation, said Andrews. "Class III can declare impasse at any time," she said. "Frankly, I think there was room to continue discussions."
According to the PBA’s collective bargaining agreement and the Public Employees Labor Relations Act, Class III employees are prohibited from striking due to public safety issues. But that hasn’t kept officers from staging sick-outs in the past. About a year ago, a Territorial Court judge ordered officers to report to work after they staged such an action over low pay and working conditions.
Andrews said she would respond to the unions’ allegations at the government’s press conference on Thursday. She said that since the unions went public with specific bargaining points, the government must answer in kind. But it is not out of disrespect for the officers, she said.
"I always say these are our employees first," Andrews said. "I highly respect our men and women in blue. I’m not here to incite them."
The government press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Patrick Sweeney Headquarters on St. Croix.
