Rodney Elias Parris passed away on May 27. He was 58 years old.
Rodney Elias Parris
He is preceded in death by parents, Elias Parris & Miriam Eliza Johannes Parris; siblings, Deborah Slyvester, Gerald “Dada” Petersen, Tyrone Thompson, Raymond Parris and Ricky Reynaldo Parris.
He is survived by daughter, Kayla Raquel Parris; sister, Raquel L. Parris-Francis; brothers, Roland Elias Parris & Steven Anthon Parris; brother-in-law, Edwin “Idio” Francis; sisters in law, Eladie Jacobs, Delsa Parris & Cassandra Thompson; nephews, Azani Parris, A’Zajah Parris, Iam Parris, Zion Parris, Kai Petersen, Shayne Mali Petersen, Sjhon Petersen, Vaughn Petersen, Ronashe Roberts, Ronald Thompson; nieces, Shenette Camacho, Jeannette Parris, Ranoi Parris, Roanna Parris, Shackirah Parris, Shekilah Parris, Shenifa Parris, Kinisha Sylvester, Kawana Sylvester, Giselle Sylvester; great nieces, 12; great nephews, 6; goddaughter, Uniqua Benjamin; special cousins, Annette Delgado Parris, Eleanor Johannes-Gomez, Brenda Parris-McIntosh, Kathleen Parris, Wendell Parris, Sr., Lorroley Hall, Joann Felicien-McIver, Kanika Pennyfeather, Jermaine Johannes; companion, Mercedes “GiGi” Davis; special friends, Senator Franklin “Frankie” Johnson, Arthur Williams, Ann Wollaston, Alyce Orange-Louison, Diane Ventura, Humberto “Belto” Delgado, Bernard Barzey; friends, Josepha Carrillo, Class of 1987, Virgin Islands Lottery, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, Department of Agriculture and precious friends and other relatives too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on June 30, at Island Baptist Church. Viewing begins at 9 am, with service at 10 am. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
The St. Croix Economic Development Initiative and the Caribbean Americas Single Economy, in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, its Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums, and other community organizations and stakeholders, are announcing a series of Pre-America250 special presentations and events on St. Croix in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The flag of the United States of America (Source file photo)
The St. Croix commemorative activities will highlight the Virgin Islands’ unique role in the American story, while celebrating the territory’s rich cultural heritage, historical contributions, and continued commitment to community advancement.
On St. Thomas Thursday, the University of the Virgin Islands, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, hosted the Inaugural Alexander Hamilton Distinguished Lecture Series on UVI’s Orville E. Kean Campus. The Hon. Robert B. Aderholt, U.S. Representative (Alabama–R) was the keynote speaker.
The first featured program on St. Croix will take place on Friday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m. and will focus on Alexander Hamilton’s connection to Christiansted and the historical significance of St. Croix during his formative years. The educational and cultural presentation will explore the life and legacy of Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers, who spent a pivotal portion of his youth on St. Croix.
“As our nation prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, the Virgin Islands has an important story to tell,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “Alexander Hamilton’s connection to our territory reminds us that the Virgin Islands has long been linked to the broader American experience. Our history, our people, and our contributions are an essential part of the story of America.”
The collaborative initiative will emphasize the importance of cultural preservation, literacy, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and financial literacy as vital elements of honoring the past while investing in the future of the Virgin Islands community
Today we proudly celebrate the fifth federal observance of Juneteenth National Official Independence Day. This holiday commemorates the ending of slavery in all parts of the country, following the United States Emancipation Proclamation. Although the Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it was not communicated to the enslaved in Texas until that historic day, June 19, 1865, more than two years later, when Union troops arrived in Galveston to declare all enslaved people free.
“This holiday commemorates the ending of slavery in all parts of the country, following the United States Emancipation Proclamation.,” Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach said. (Submitted photo)
Through the enactment of Congress, this holiday gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the history and struggles of our enslaved ancestors and to celebrate our many achievements since that time. Also called Freedom Day, Juneteenth has since progressed from private celebrations in Galveston, Texas to now a nationwide observance for all Americans. It is a time for prayer, special ceremonies, family gatherings, festivals, or other activities that may be appropriate to symbolically recognize the emancipation of all people of African descent who were enslaved for hundreds of years. Many others utilize this day to renew a cultural connection between their African American and their West African heritage.
As we continue to embrace the Juneteenth celebrations in the Territory, we honor this day in solidarity with our brothers and sisters abroad. Let us come together to lift every voice and sing, and to proudly display our rich heritage and the freedom of which we were long deprived.
I pray for God’s guidance and protection as we continue to make history and leave our footprints on the grounds of this great Nation which was built by the blood and sweat of our ancestors. Happy Juneteenth to all!
A man was arrested in connection with burglaries at two St. John businesses after investigators identified him through surveillance footage, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.
According to a VIPD police report, officers were dispatched Tuesday to Paradise Lumber and Hardware in Susannaberg after receiving a report of a burglary. Police said an unknown suspect entered the business through a window, rummaged through the establishment and fled in an unknown direction.
While officers were investigating that incident, they were notified of another burglary at Heading East Bar and Grill. Police reviewed video footage from both businesses and identified Alan Beyer as the suspect in both cases, according to the police report.
Beyer was arrested Wednesday and charged with burglary in the third degree and petit larceny, police said.
Unable to post $51,000 bail, Beyer was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice of rights hearing, according to VIPD.
The case remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information is asked to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-693-8880, or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 800-222-8477.
Jenifer O’Neal was sentenced to seven years in prison last week for her role in facilitating a kickback scheme between herself, former V.I. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and David Whitaker, a former cybersecurity contractor-turned government witness. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Former V.I. Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal has asked a federal judge to push her court-ordered surrender date by eight weeks while she secures new legal representation to appeal her December conviction on charges of wire fraud, bribery and money laundering conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge Mark Kearney ordered O’Neal to surrender into federal custody by June 23 after sentencing her to spend seven years in prison last week. During an occasionally tense sentencing hearing, friction between O’Neal and her attorney, Dale Lionel Smith, briefly halted proceedings. She revisited her concerns in a June 14 letter to Smith in which she said her decision to seek new counsel was “based on serious concerns about the quality and attentiveness” of Smith’s representation. O’Neal claimed that she repeatedly urged Smith to file a motion to sever her case from that of her co-defendant, former V.I. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez, ahead of their trial in late 2025.
“Beyond the severance issue, I have consistently felt throughout this representation that my concerns, my instructions, and my knowledge of the facts were not being heard or incorporated into my defense,” she wrote, adding that trial transcripts and Kearney’s rulings reveal “several instances where the evidence was framed in ways that could have been challenged more effectively, including the characterization of routine ARPA payment communications as evidence of corrupt intent.”
O’Neal also appeared frustrated last week to learn that Smith had not filed a sentencing request — or letters from supporters requesting leniency. Instead, Smith emailed the materials to Kearney and government attorneys while asking for leave to file them under seal because the letter writers “were assured that their letters would be read only by the court and parties and not placed on the public docket.” Kearney denied the request.
“This was not the first instance in which motions in my case were filed after the purported deadline or in a manner that did not meet the Court’s requirements,” O’Neal wrote. “This pattern is deeply troubling.”
O’Neal’s request to stay her surrender was filed by attorney Carl Williams, whom O’Neal hired “on an emergency and limited basis” to file the motion to stay. By delaying her surrender date, O’Neal said she will be able to “complete the necessary preliminary appellate work, establish a legal relationship with retained appellate counsel of her choosing, and meaningfully assist in the development of the framework of her appeal.”
International spiritual leader Didi Krishna challenged Virgin Islanders to take ownership of their future through intentional choices, gratitude, service and self-reflection Thursday during a program titled “Design Your Destiny” at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa.
Didi Krishna, head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, delivers her keynote presentation during the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. Her message focused on personal responsibility and the power of daily choices in shaping one’s destiny. (Photo by Rudy LaPlace)
Hosted by the Indian Association of the Virgin Islands in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands and the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace, the event drew a full room of community members from all walks of life, joining educators, business leaders and public officials for an evening centered on personal growth, leadership and purposeful living.
The program featured remarks from University of the Virgin Islands President Safiya George, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach, all of whom reflected on themes of purpose, leadership and service that would later be echoed throughout Krishna’s presentation.
For many members of the local East Indian community, the gathering carried special significance. During closing remarks, Indian Association of the Virgin Islands President Pash Daswani reflected on moving to St. Thomas from Pune, India, in 1982 and described welcoming a spiritual leader from his hometown more than four decades later as a moment that felt guided by destiny.
Indian Association of the Virgin Islands President Pash Daswani delivers closing remarks during the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. Daswani reflected on his journey from Pune, India, to St. Thomas and the significance of welcoming Didi Krishna, a spiritual leader from his hometown, to the territory. (Source photo by Melissa Bryan)
Krishna serves as the head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, an international spiritual and humanitarian organization known for its emphasis on compassion, service, education and personal transformation. She assumed leadership of the mission in 2018 following the passing of her mentor, Dada J.P. Vaswani, whom she referenced throughout the evening, and continues to share the mission’s message through programs and outreach efforts around the world.
Earlier in the program, Serena Mohanani and Manav Lalwani introduced attendees to the vision of the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace, which is founded on the belief that lasting world peace begins with peace within the individual.
They described the center’s mission of cultivating gratitude, forgiveness, compassion and service while supporting educational and community-based initiatives designed to promote personal growth and social harmony. The pair also shared plans for a permanent center in New Jersey that will serve as both a physical gathering space and digital platform dedicated to peacebuilding, character development, youth education and humanitarian outreach.
Plaskett later recognized Mohanani for her volunteer work with the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace and her efforts in helping organize the event.
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett addresses attendees during the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. Plaskett reflected on the Virgin Islands’ tradition of shaping its own destiny through perseverance and service. (Source photo by Melissa Bryan)
Building on those themes, Krishna centered her presentation on a simple but powerful premise: people are not victims of circumstance but architects of their own lives.
“We are not victims; we are the architects of our lives,” Krishna told attendees.
International spiritual leader Didi Krishna addresses attendees during the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. The event drew a full audience of community members, educators, business leaders and public officials from across the Virgin Islands. (Source photo by Melissa Bryan)
Throughout her remarks, Krishna encouraged participants to look inward rather than outward when evaluating their lives. While people often find it easier to identify the shortcomings of others, she said, genuine growth begins with honest self-reflection.
Using stories and practical examples, Krishna emphasized that destiny is shaped less by fate than by the choices individuals make every day.
She illustrated the concept through a simple framework of birth, choices and death. While birth and death remain outside human control, she said, the choices made between them ultimately determine the course of a person’s life.
“Yesterday’s choices are today’s destiny, and today’s choices create tomorrow’s destiny,” she said.
Krishna also spoke about the importance of managing one’s thoughts, describing them as the building blocks of life. Negative thoughts, she said, can quickly multiply and influence a person’s outlook, while positive thoughts require conscious cultivation.
Among her recommendations were beginning each day with gratitude, spending time in silence, focusing on the breath and letting go of resentment and comparison.
“Comparison is the thief of happiness,” she said, encouraging attendees to recognize the abundance already present in their lives.
A recurring theme throughout the presentation was that happiness is not something to be pursued externally but something already present within each individual. The challenge, Krishna suggested, is learning to access that inner reservoir through awareness, discipline and reflection.
The themes shared by Krishna resonated with leaders from across the territory.
George shared that UVI has begun exploratory conversations with the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace regarding a possible future collaboration. While emphasizing that discussions remain in the early stages, she said both organizations see opportunities to explore shared interests in student well-being, values-based leadership, resilience, mindfulness and service.
University of the Virgin Islands President Safiya George addresses attendees during the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. George highlighted early conversations between UVI and the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace regarding a potential future partnership. (Source photo by Melissa Bryan)
Plaskett connected Krishna’s message to the territory’s history of perseverance and self-determination.
“The Virgin Islands has never had the luxury of waiting for destiny to arrive,” Plaskett said. “We have had to fight generation after generation to design our own destiny.”
Roach encouraged attendees to carry the evening’s lessons into their homes and communities.
Attendees listen as international spiritual leader Didi Krishna speaks during the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa on St. Thomas. The event drew a full audience representing a cross-section of the Virgin Islands community. (Source photo by Melissa Bryan)
“We must take responsibility for constructing the world we want to live in,” Roach said. “It begins with these islands that we call our home.”
The evening concluded with Roach presenting Krishna with a proclamation declaring June 18 as Didi Krishna Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands, recognizing her message of compassion, service and personal responsibility.
Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach presents Didi Krishna with a proclamation declaring June 18 as Didi Krishna Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands following the “Design Your Destiny” program at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa. (Source photo by Melissa Bryan)
The recognition served as a fitting close to a program that repeatedly returned to a simple but powerful idea: while people cannot always choose the circumstances they face, they can choose how they respond to them — and in doing so, help shape their own destiny.
Good Hope Country Day School will welcome alumnus Ali “Al” Morgan as its new head of school, bringing home an accomplished educator and consultant whose career has spanned independent schools, higher education and organizational leadership.
Morgan arrives in his new role as head of school with a powerful vision for the school’s future. “I see extraordinary opportunities to create a cohesive and enriching experience for students at every stage of their educational journey – celebrating their growth from early learners to young adults prepared to make a meaningful impact in the world.” (Photo courtesy Good Hope Country Day School)
“I’m back!” Morgan said during a recent appearance on WTJX’s “Analyze This” with host Neville James.
A graduate of Good Hope School’s Class of 1993, Morgan describes himself as a “proud native son of St. Croix.” His family roots run deep in Crucian soil. His grandfather, Alexander Knight, was born on St. Croix shortly after the Virgin Islands were purchased by the United States from Denmark in 1917. Morgan was raised on the island and describes St. Croix as “home in every way.”
Morgan said his love of the arts and theater was nurtured during his years at Good Hope.
“And that love of the arts and of theater came from Good Hope,” he said. “Both Good Hope and Country Day have had a long, strong tradition of the arts.”
After graduating from Good Hope, Morgan attended Southern Methodist University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater. He later completed a Master of Science degree in higher education administration at Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York.
In the years that followed, Morgan built a career in education that has included leadership roles in PreK-12 schools and postsecondary institutions.
After serving as director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Rye Country Day School in Westchester, New York, from 2013 to 2024, Morgan founded ALKM Consulting. The firm partners with schools and organizations across the country to strengthen leadership through empathy, inclusive recruitment and retention, social-emotional learning and cultural competency.
His decision to return to St. Croix was motivated in part by the opportunity to give back to the school and the community that helped shape him.
“I see a chance to build on Good Hope Country Day School’s commitment to academic excellence and global citizenship, while also strengthening its role as a hub for community connection on St. Croix,” Morgan said.
According to his professional biography, Morgan’s work focuses on creating systems that align vision with practice, whether through developing DEI-infused enrollment strategies, leading executive coaching programs or facilitating workshops on community engagement and crisis management.
During his tenure at Rye Country Day School, he partnered with admissions, curriculum and advancement leaders to ensure inclusive practices and develop mentoring programs that support both students and employees of color.
For outgoing interim Head of School Bill Sinfield, who helped guide the search process, Morgan stood out as the ideal candidate.
“The fact that he was coming home and he was bringing not only his experience and his knowledge from all his work in independent schools, but that he was bringing it back to a place that he understands and that he loves, that was essential,” Sinfield said. “He has roots here and those roots are really important to this community and to the school community and so, for me, he was the perfect choice for the role.”
Morgan assumes leadership of the school at a time of significant academic growth.
In 2023, Good Hope Country Day School became an accredited Cambridge International School and began implementing the Cambridge curriculum framework throughout its programs. Cambridge’s rigorous academic standards are recognized by universities and employers worldwide and are considered a global benchmark in education.
Members of the school’s Class of 2026, which recently celebrated graduation at Island Center, achieved new milestones in the continued expansion of Cambridge programming. Eleven seniors graduated with the prestigious Advanced International Certificate of Education diploma.
The school’s arts programs also continue to thrive. Following the success of the spring musical “Hadestown,” community members can likely expect continued growth in the drama program given Morgan’s extensive experience with and commitment to theater arts.
Looking ahead, Morgan said he envisions a future that supports students throughout every stage of their educational experience.
“I see extraordinary opportunities to create a cohesive and enriching experience for students at every stage of their educational journey, celebrating their growth from early learners to young adults prepared to make a meaningful impact in the world,” he said.
Bradley Ebersole, chairman of the Good Hope Country Day School board of trustees, said Morgan’s “broad experience, inclusive vision, and strategic mindset” align closely with the school’s mission to cultivate reflective, creative and compassionate learners within a diverse and globally engaged community.
Ebersole said Morgan possesses the character and leadership qualities necessary to build upon the school’s strong foundation and ensure its mission continues to flourish for generations to come.
Both Island Mixx volleyball teams bounced back from early losses Thursday, closing pool play with victories and carrying momentum into the single-elimination bracket at the AAU National Championships.
Island Mixx 13U snapped a two-match losing streak with a straight-set victory over Charlotte Flying Fish, while Island Mixx 12U followed suit by rallying for a straight-set win over Club V South.
Island Mixx 13U members take part in the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. The Virgin Islands team finished pool play with a straight-set victory and advanced to the single-elimination bracket. (Submitted photo)
The 13U team opened the day against Missouri Volleyball Academy 13 Black. Island Mixx jumped out to an early lead but could not maintain the advantage as Missouri Volleyball Academy claimed the first set 25-16. The second set remained close until a late five-point run helped Missouri secure another 25-16 victory.
Island Mixx then fell to Miami Bombers, 25-5, 25-19.
The team’s fortunes changed in its final match of the day against Charlotte Flying Fish.
With the first set tied late, Scarlett Poss stepped to the service line with Island Mixx holding a slim 16-15 lead. Poss delivered a seven-point service run that helped power her team to a 25-18 victory.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Holding a 19-16 advantage, Island Mixx turned to Nila Gardner at the service line. Gardner helped close out the match as Island Mixx secured a 25-16 win to complete the sweep.
Island Mixx 13U improved to 2-7 and will face York Replay, which finished pool play at 4-5, in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament Friday on Court 70 in the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
The 12U team also overcame a difficult start to finish the day on a high note.
Island Mixx 12U players and coaches represented the U.S. Virgin Islands at the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. The team finished pool play with a victory and advanced to the single-elimination tournament. (Submitted photo)
Island Mixx opened with a 25-14, 25-19 loss to Synergy 12 Blizzard.
In its second match, Island Mixx built an early 9-5 lead against A5 before momentum shifted. Following a timeout, A5 responded with a 16-3 run and went on to win the first set 25-19. Island Mixx dropped the second set 25-9.
In the final match against Club V South, Island Mixx found itself trailing 7-1 early in the opening set. The Virgin Islands squad regrouped and rallied to claim the set 25-21.
Captain Annabel Boschulte sparked the second set by serving seven consecutive points to open play. Island Mixx stretched the lead into double digits and cruised to a 25-17 victory to complete the straight-set win.
Island Mixx 12U improved to 3-6 and will face FTL 12U Atomic Chris, also 3-6, in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament Friday on Court 13 in the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
Rep. Robert Aderholt delivers the inaugural Alexander Hamilton Distinguished Lecture at UVI’s Medical Research and Training Center on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Grayton Goldsmith)Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., delivered the inaugural Alexander Hamilton Distinguished Lecture at the University of the Virgin Islands Orville E. Kean campus on St. Thomas Thursday.Although UVI President Safiya George plans to make the lecture series an annual occurrence, Aderholt’s inaugural iteration, entitled “The Virgin Islands’ Place in America’s Founding,” was especially significant as the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence.“[Hamilton’s] journey from the Caribbean to the highest levels of national leadership serves as a powerful reminder that talent can emerge from any community, and that opportunity, when matched with determination, can change the course of history,” George said. Aderholt noted that, while many Americans likely do not know of Hamilton’s connection to the Virgin Islands, his story is a reminder of the country’s diversity.“As we commemorate America’s 250th birthday, Hamilton’s story reminds us that the American story has never been confined to one particular place, and it has always been enriched by people, by ideas, and by experiences that are far beyond the mainland, and the Virgin Islands is a very, very important part of that story,” Aderholt said.Aderholt’s sentiments were echoed by Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach and Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who also delivered remarks as part of the morning’s proceedings. “Many people talk about [Hamilton] being the architect of our banking system, but what they don’t discuss is the many components that the Virgin Islands brought to that discussion for him, not just utilizing the ledger system that he learned from the clerks, but the counting system that he learned from enslaved Africans, the Danes, the Dutch, all provided components to what became the greatest banking system in the world,” Plaskett said. Roach spoke of the importance of considering Virgin Islands history in the context of resilience and fortitude in the face of inherited slavery.“African people gathered in Fredriksted and said, ‘No, this is not how this will happen. We will take our freedom, because if we are not free, this place does not thrive any longer. You have built countries on our backs, and we will not continue that experience,’” he said.While much of the morning was devoted to history, each of the speakers also took a moment to lay out their vision for the future.“[Myself] and the legislature to a great degree have supported efforts to have a medical school at the University [of the Virgin Islands],” Roach said. “We know that part of the solution to our health dilemma in the Virgin Islands is to have more qualified individuals to service the health needs of our population, and I’m sure that we’re going to have this happen under the presidency of Dr. Safiya George,” Roach continued. Turning to the future, Plaskett posed a sobering question.“The Virgin Islands gave Alexander Hamilton his foundation. The question for us is whether we give our young people theirs,” she said.Plaskett touted legislation recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives that would grant instate tuition to Virgin Islanders seeking to attend public universities on the mainland. “We know that every major is not going to be at the University of the Virgin Islands, and therefore having this opportunity can relieve the burden [of tuition payments] for our students to be able to say ‘I could take a job back home,’” she said. Aderholt also spoke of the uplifting character of education, noting that Hamilton “understood something that remains true today, and that is that a society thrives when people are given the opportunity to develop their talents and to contribute to the common good.”“The story of Alexander Hamilton demonstrates how extraordinary contributions can come from perhaps unexpected places. A young boy from Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands, who faced adversity and uncertainty, helped shape the destiny of a nation. His life reminds us that talent is universal, even when opportunity is not, and it reminds us of the importance of creating pathways for future generations to learn, to grow, and to lead, and that mission is embodied by this great university here today,” he continued. The event was jointly sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands and the government of the Virgin Islands.
Island Mixx 13U Scarlett Poss spikes ball in her game Thursday at the 2026 AAU National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kimberly Poss)
Island Mixx 13U (IM 13U) turned the tables in their final match of the day Thursday at the 2026 Amateur Athletic Union National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida, and earned an impressive straight-set victory.
IM 13U started the day off on the wrong foot, dropping their first two matches. The girls got out to an early lead in the first set in their first match of the day against Missouri Volleyball Academy 13 Black (MOVA), but could not sustain the lead, dropping the set (25-16).
The second set was competitive midway through the frame before MOVA put the game away with a five-point run. IM 13 lost (25-16). In their second match of the day, Miami Bombers defeated IM 13U (25-5), (25-19). In their final match against Charlotte Flying Fish, the first set was close until Scarlett Poss stepped in the serving box with IM 13, nursing a slim (16-15) lead. Poss proceeded to serve seven points, effectively securing the (25-18) win. The second set was the same script, but a new lead as Nila Gardner stepped into the serving box with her team up (19-16). When she was through serving, the Flying Fish were done as IM 13 won that set (25-16) and the match in straight sets.
Coach Carissa talks to her Island Mixx 13U team during their game Thursday at the 2026 AAU National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Bianca Harris)
IM 13U (2-7) will play York Replay (4-5) in the single elimination tournament Friday on Court 70 in the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
Island Mixx 12U (IM 12U) girls followed the lead of their older club mates by losing their first two matches before winning their final match of the day.
In their first match, IM 12U just couldn’t find their bearings as Synergy 12 Blizzard defeated them (25-14), (25-19). The island girls started their second match against a solid A5 team, jumping out to an early (9-5) first set advantage. The coach for A5 then called a timeout and had his team run sprints for the entire timeout. That woke his team up as they went on a 16-3 run, propelling A5 to a (25-19) first-set victory. IM 12U never recovered, losing the second set (25-9).
Island Mixx 12U’s Jordyn Teshiera,who stands at 6 feet, 2 inches, serves Thursday at the 2026 AAU National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark J. Daniel)
Initially, it seemed like the third match would follow the pattern of the first two matches as IM 12U found themselves down (1-7) early in the first set. However, IM 12U buckled down to win that set (25-21). Captain Annabel Boschulte was the star of the second set, serving seven straight points to open the set. IM 12U pushed the lead to more than 10 points. They cruised to a (25-17) second-set victory.
IM 12U (3-6) will face FTL 12U Atomic Chris, who also have a (3-6) record for the tournament. This will start the single-elimination tournament for IM 12U. The game will be on Court 13 in the North Concourse of the OCCC.
Island Mixx 12U’s Annalise Komives works on her serve during warm-ups Thursday at the 2026 AAU National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark J. Daniel)
