The Virgin Islands Department of Education invites all parents, guardians, and educators in the St. Thomas–St. John District to participate in Behavior Unlocked, a dynamic series of Parent University workshops.
These sessions focus on effective and valuable resources designed to address and combat the behavioral trends impacting our students. Together, we can strengthen support systems at home, in school, and across our community.
Learn practical strategies to guide positive student behavior
Gain access to resources to support families and educators
Connect with fellow parents, guardians, and education professionals
Enjoy raffle prizes and refreshments at every session
Register today and be part of the change!
For additional information, please contact:
Jerae Allyson Forde
Director, School and Community Affairs
340-775-2250
jerae.forde@vide.vi
October 1 is recognized as Contract Day in the Virgin Islands. The day commemorates the historic Fire Burn revolt that occurred on October 1, 1878, under the trailblazing leadership of Mary “Queen Mary” Thomas, Mathilda “Queen Mathilda” McBean, and Axelline “Queen Agnes” Salomon. These three queens of that era demonstrated their strength and courage as they demanded better pay for plantation workers and stood up for the rights of the masses regarding fair labor practices.
Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach (Source file photo)
Following the Emancipation of enslaved Africans in the Danish West Indies, the Labor Act of 1849 was enacted. This Act provided plantation owners with a source of inexpensive labor. It allowed for a laborer to be contracted on the first day of October and to be bound to that plantation until the agreement was severed the following year at the same time. Although laborers were paid, their wages were not the fair pay for a day’s work as provided by the existing Labor Laws. One year later, on Contract Day, the Labor Act of 1849 was repealed as laborers once again gathered and plantation owners feared that the masses would once again revolt.
The promise of improved working conditions and wages also were left unfulfilled year after year. Queens Mary, Mathilda, and Agnes bravely changed this with a revolt notably called the Fire Burn. These women stood up for the rights of the masses regarding fair pay and fair labor practices. Their actions on October 1, 1878, became a permanent and legendary part of our history. Acres of land and property were burned, starting from Fort Frederik and spreading throughout the Western end of St. Croix.
As Virgin Islanders, we are rooted in the resilience, courage, and fearlessness of our ancestors. Historic acts of bravery and sacrifice paved the way for us to stand proudly in our purpose and be empowered by the legacy of trailblazers from our past. Therefore, every year on this day, we continue to pay homage to our ancestors and celebrate all who let their torches burn for the rights that we enjoy.
The excitement of baseball is set to return with even greater energy as the Jerry Browne Baseball League/ Police Activity League/ Gun Violence Prevention prepares to kick off its season Friday at 7 p.m. in Basilio Park. This year, the league has expanded beyond St. Croix, bringing together young talent from across the region in what promises to be one of the most competitive and dynamic youth baseball events in recent years.
The league, named in honor of former Major League Baseball player Jerry Browne, focuses on developing athletes between the ages of 13 and 16. Its mission is not only to elevate the level of baseball in the Virgin Islands but also to foster discipline, teamwork, and community pride among its young players.
For the first time, the Jerry Browne Baseball League will feature 10 teams from four different locations:
St. Croix: 6 teams
St. Thomas: 2 teams
British Virgin Islands (BVI): 1 team
Puerto Rico: 1 team
This regional expansion highlights the growing reputation of the league as a platform for aspiring players. It also sets the stage for thrilling matchups between islands, giving young athletes the chance to measure their skills against peers from neighboring territories.
“Baseball has always been a part of our culture, and we are proud to create opportunities for our youth to showcase their talent while building friendships across the Caribbean,” said one of the organizers from Team Cardinals, the group behind the league’s creation.
Fans can expect competitive games, strong community involvement, and the unmistakable excitement of young players chasing their dreams under the lights at Basilio Park and other venues throughout the season.
As the first pitch approaches, anticipation is building—not just for the games, but for the friendships, lessons, and memories that the Jerry Browne Baseball League will create for every player who takes the field.
Elizabeth Guadalupe-Perez, of Enfield Green, passed away on September 18. She was 51.Elizabeth Guadalupe-Perez
She was preceded in death by her mother, Librada Guadalupe.
She is survived by her mother, Librada Guadalupe; father, Anselmo Guadalupe; spouse, Edward Perez; sisters, Mariela Guadalupe, Johanna Guadalupe; brother, Moises Guadalupe; nieces, Thalia Guadalupe, Yarilynn Guadalupe, Bianca Guadalupe, Brianna Lopez, Leanna Lopez; nephews, Luis Guadalupe, Abner J. Avila, Alexander J. Avila; great nephew, Kairo A. Mathurin; aunts and uncles too numerous to mention; brothers-in-law, Andres Avila- Lopez, Fernando Perez, Edwin Lopez; sisters-in-law, Lorna Perez, Nachisha Guzman, Maria T. Ramirez, Ruth Noemi Garcia, Brenda Lee Carrasquillo; special friends, Cathurine Thiffany Dunn, Claudia Caballero, Margarette Aceuedo, Mike & Paula, Virgin Parilla, Avagail & Gary, Ana Ivelisee Diaz, Yaneidi, Misael Mendoza, Ambar K. Mejias, Norma Rivera; cousin and other relatives too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on October 4, at Iglesia de Dios. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m., and the service will start at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Frederiksted Cemetery.
Professional services entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
The Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center is proud to announce the resumption of mammography services, now operating inside the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center (VICC). This milestone comes as JFL celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, a timely reminder of the importance of early detection and proactive care.
JFL’s mammography program has achieved full certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and re-accreditation from the American College of Radiology, reaffirming its commitment to excellence in breast imaging. With these designations, JFL proudly stands as the only certified and accredited mammography program in the U.S. Virgin Islands, ensuring that patients receive safe, high-quality imaging services close to home.
“This achievement represents JFL’s ongoing commitment to restoring and enhancing essential services for our community,” said Adeline Williams-Connor, COO of JFL. “As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage every woman to prioritize her health. Early detection saves lives.”
In line with its annual awareness campaign, “Ladies, Check Yourself!”, JFL reminds women across the territory to schedule their mammograms and take charge of their breast health. Mammograms remain one of the most effective tools for early detection of breast cancer, improving treatment outcomes and saving lives.
Appointments are now available. To schedule a mammogram, please call 340-772-7343 extension 5282/5283. Don’t wait, “Ladies, check yourself!” and schedule your screening today.
A University of the Virgin Islands student represented his team at the Amazon Machine Learning University (MLU) Symposium on Sept. 26, at Amazon’s global headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The AWS-MLU Symposium brought together students, faculty and leaders from across the nation to showcase innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
UVI Student Zeidan Bass stands beside his research poster displayed at the Amazon Machine Learning University Symposium. (Submitted photo)
Research conducted by UVI students Zeidan Bass, Lilian Alexander and Aushaun Brown was selected for presentation at the symposium in the form of abstract posters highlighting their applied learning and exploration in AI/ML. Bass represented the team on-site, where he joined peers from other Historically Black Colleges and Universities and institutions nationwide in technical sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative discussions with Amazon Web Services (AWS) experts.
The selection of their work marks an important step in UVI’s advancement of AI/ML education through its membership in the Amazon Machine Learning University Educators Consortium, which the University announced in August.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for representing UVI and the U.S. Virgin Islands on a national stage,” said UVI President Dr. Safiya George. “Their involvement in this symposium reflects not only their hard work and talent, but also the University’s commitment to preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”
Bass commented, “This was an enriching and unmatched experience, and I am truly grateful to AWS for the opportunity. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the College of Science and Mathematics at UVI, my research partners Aushaun Brown and Lillian Alexandar, my research mentor Dr. Marc Boumedine, and President Dr. Safiya George, for their unwavering support and dedication to creating transformative opportunities for students through partnerships like this.”
The AWS-MLU Symposium is part of the Amazon Machine Learning University Educator Enablement Program, which provides world-class training, curriculum resources and AWS cloud technology to 35 colleges and universities across the country. UVI is among a select group of institutions — and one of only a few HBCUs — chosen to participate.
“This opportunity gives our students direct access to cutting-edge AI/ML knowledge, industry experts and a national network of peers,” said Dr. Marc Boumedine, UVI Associate Professor of Computer Science, who accompanied Bass to the symposium. “It is exciting to see UVI students engage with the very technologies that are transforming industries around the globe.” The students also presented their findings at the fall Emerging Caribbean Scientists Research Symposium held on Sept. 28, on the Orville E. Kean Campus.
For more information about UVI’s academic programs, visit www.uvi.edu. For media inquiries, contact pr@uvi.edu.
The Children’s Museum of St. Croix presents: Jumbies
Mocko Jumbies at the Children’s Museum of St. Croix!
On Sunday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., children are invited to explore these towering guardians of culture.
Activities include arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, prizes, and a make-your-own Mocko Jumbie event.
More information at www.childrenmuseumstx.org
As we come to the end of September, we also are coming to the end of suicide prevention awareness month. However, this is something that we should continue to be aware of. Suicide remains heavily on the hearts of those who have lost loved ones, as well as on those people who are contemplating the taking of their own lives.Natalie J. Lewis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. (Submitted photo)
According to SAMHSA, the suicide warning signs can look different for both adults and children. However, the outcomes are the same for them both when a suicide is carried out: DEATH. What does a suicidal person look like? I’m of the belief that it can be anyone of us. Life is meant to be lived. But sometimes, it is simply too hard to continue, and people may feel that the decision of committing suicide is the only one left to be made. The thought of having to go through another tomorrow may be too heavy of a burden to handle for many of us. Resources to help prevent suicide include but are not limited to the following: The Effective Suicide Prevention Model, Best Practices Registry (BPR), and the Zero Suicide Framework: A Safer Approach. SAMHSA also suggests the following:
“If you believe someone may be in danger of suicide:
Call 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent.
Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to talk to a caring professional.
Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.
Listen without judging and show you care.
Stay with the person or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person until you can get further help.
Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt” (https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior/prevention)
Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we have lost loved ones, friends and family members to suicide. This happens here, as it does everywhere else, and we can no longer ignore or deny the fact that it does. Together we can all help by being aware of the signs, to lower the chances of this happening. We are all imperfect people living in an imperfect world, and tragedies do and will happen. But the time is now, for mental health counseling to become more normalized in our community, both in accessibility and in attending to our own mental health as though our lives are depending on it, because it is.Natalie J. Lewis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She is licensed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, Georgia and Virginia. She is a proud graduate of St. Croix Central High School “The Classic Class” (Go Caribs) and Nova Southeastern University (Go Sharks).
Government House spokesperson Richard Motta Jr. updates the public on the Governor’s 2025 Workforce Summit and other matters during a press briefing Monday on St. Croix. (Screenshot from V.I. Government House livestream)
Government House spokesperson Richard Motta Jr. pushed back on a recent statement from Del. Stacey Plaskett and said during a weekly briefing Monday that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. can do little to change the territory’s exclusion from the United States Customs Zone.
“The Virgin Islands’s exclusion from the U.S. Customs Zone was not a local choice,” Motta said Monday. “It never was. It was established by Congress in the Tariff Act of 1930, which means only Congress has the authority to change that status — not Governor Bryan and not the President of the United States — and that has been the case since the United States Virgin Islands was acquired by the United States in 1917.”
The comment came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating duty-free “de minimis” treatment for packages valued under $800, which the White House described as a “catastrophic loophole used to, among other things, evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids as well as other unsafe or below-market products that harm American workers and businesses into the United States” on its website.
The change took effect last month and created an “unfair burden for territorial residents” who rely heavily on sending and receiving packages to and from the U.S. mainland, Plaskett said in a statement last week. Plaskett said it “is the discretion and authority of the Governor of the Virgin Islands to make requests to the Federal Government about inclusion or exclusion from the Customs Zone.”
“I have said, for more than 10 years, that the Virgin Islands should determine if being outside of the Customs Zone has the same benefit that it did over 100 years ago to our Territory and residents,” she stated. “If not, the Governor of the Virgin Islands as the individual with authority to enter into arrangements of this nature with the Federal Government should request such change which would then require the executive branch authorization.”
On Monday, Motta said he was privy to correspondence between Plaskett and the White House regarding a potential exemption for the territory.
“And so that is what we’re tracking right now,” he said.
In her own statement, Plaskett noted her work in securing an exemption from port fees imposed by the U.S. Trade Representative earlier this year and said she will “apply that same determination to find a waiver for the U.S. territories from this customs duty requirement.”
That’s assuming the federal government will be up and running. By Monday evening, Trump and congressional leaders were continuing to spar over a spending bill needed to fund government services. If they fail to reach a compromise by Tuesday night, many of those services will come to a halt.
Locally, Motta said Monday that the administration doesn’t “anticipate any real impacts to our local government operations” and noted that the territory has weathered federal government shutdowns before.
“But of course, we always hope that they can avoid that, as it does impact our … federal government employees here locally, with respect to their pay, and certain federal government operations here in the territory,” he said. Motta added the impacts of previous shutdowns have been “fairly minimal and have been resolved long before any long-term impacts could be realized.”
The U.S. Interior Department has yet to announce whether a shutdown will include national parks and other sites, of which there are five in the territory. A contingency plan the National Park Service published in 2024 states that: “In general, the National Park Service sites will be closed during the period of a lapse in appropriations.”
“This means that the majority of National Park sites will be closed completely to public access,” according to the plan. “Areas that by their nature are physically accessible to the public will face significantly reduced visitor services. Accordingly, the public will be encouraged not to visit National Park sites during the period of lapse in appropriations.”
Travel times may also be affected. While a shutdown would not affect airlines, U.S. Transportation Security Administration employees and air traffic controllers will be forced to work without pay.
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
Ministry is one of the few callings where people expect you to be both superhuman and constantly available. The same people who admire your strength often assume you have none of your own battles. The same ones who pull on your gifts sometimes forget you are still managing your own healing. That is the tension of ministry. If you are not emotionally aware, you will lose yourself trying to meet needs you were never meant to carry alone.
I have watched it. I have felt it. The quiet weight of pouring and praying and showing up. The moments when you do not have it, but you show up anyway. The nights when your body is present but your soul is exhausted. The times when you are processing disappointment, but you still have to lead the meeting, deliver the message, or be the example. And somewhere in the shuffle between calling and capacity, your identity starts to blur.
That is why emotional intelligence is so critical in ministry. Because you can become excellent at helping others and still be dysfunctional inside. You can preach healing and be bleeding internally. You can lead people to deliverance while quietly drowning. That is not drama. That is reality. And if you do not slow down and check in with yourself, ministry will become performance instead of overflow.
One of the biggest dangers in ministry is mistaking service for self-awareness. You can be active in every assignment but disconnected from your actual condition. You can be the go-to person for advice while avoiding your own mirror. You can be known and admired but completely numb. That is how burnout begins. That is how spiritual fatigue shows up. And that is how you wake up one day and realize you no longer recognize the person behind the collar or the pulpit.
Emotional intelligence is not just a leadership tool. It is a survival strategy for anyone who serves. It teaches you to sit with your feelings before they sabotage your flow. It teaches you how to rest before resentment sets in. It teaches you how to regulate your response when the weight of people’s expectations gets heavy. And it reminds you that you are not your role. You are not your results. You are not defined by how much you can carry. You are loved by God even when you say no. Even when you pause. Even when you are not performing.
I had to learn that ministry is not a replacement for therapy. It is not a substitute for processing. It is not a pass for neglecting emotional accountability. There were seasons where I kept going because I thought that was faithfulness. But the truth was, I was afraid to be still. I thought rest would make me look weak. I thought boundaries would make me look selfish. I thought silence would make people forget me. And the more I ignored myself, the louder my emotions started talking in ways I could no longer control.
That is where emotional intelligence changed everything. It gave me the language to say, “I am called, but I am still growing.” It gave me the courage to admit that I needed rest, not just for my body, but for my spirit. It gave me the tools to understand that every urgent request is not my responsibility. It reminded me that the Holy Spirit does not just work through what I say to others—it works through what I allow God to say to me.
Ministry accountability is not just about what you teach or how you lead. It is also about what you model. Are you showing people how to serve from a place of health, or are you normalizing burnout? Are you pointing people to the God of peace while living in constant chaos yourself? Are you teaching grace but refusing to give any to yourself? These questions are not meant to condemn. They are meant to confront.
Ministry is sacred. But it is not supposed to break you. It is supposed to refine you. And refinement takes honesty. It takes stillness. It takes structure. It takes asking for help before you collapse. And it takes recognizing that just because people expect you to have it all together does not mean you have to pretend you do.
If you are reading this and you are tired, I see you. If you are wrestling with the weight of showing up, I understand. If you are carrying pain that you do not feel free to name, let me remind you of something simple but powerful—you are allowed to be human. You are allowed to cry, to rest, to reflect, to reset. That does not make you weak. That makes you wise.
Do not let the assignment make you forget who you are. Do not let the platform become the only place you feel seen. Do not let ministry rob you of your mental and emotional health. You cannot pour if you never pause.
So take care of the vessel. Not just for them. For you. Because the best ministry flows from wholeness, not hustle.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
The league, named in honor of former Major League Baseball player Jerry Browne, focuses on developing athletes between the ages of 13 and 16. Its mission is not only to elevate the level of baseball in the Virgin Islands but also to foster discipline, teamwork, and community pride among its young players.
For the first time, the Jerry Browne Baseball League will feature 10 teams from four different locations:
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
Ministry is one of the few callings where people expect you to be both superhuman and constantly available. The same people who admire your strength often assume you have none of your own battles. The same ones who pull on your gifts sometimes forget you are still managing your own healing. That is the tension of ministry. If you are not emotionally aware, you will lose yourself trying to meet needs you were never meant to carry alone.
I have watched it. I have felt it. The quiet weight of pouring and praying and showing up. The moments when you do not have it, but you show up anyway. The nights when your body is present but your soul is exhausted. The times when you are processing disappointment, but you still have to lead the meeting, deliver the message, or be the example. And somewhere in the shuffle between calling and capacity, your identity starts to blur.
That is why emotional intelligence is so critical in ministry. Because you can become excellent at helping others and still be dysfunctional inside. You can preach healing and be bleeding internally. You can lead people to deliverance while quietly drowning. That is not drama. That is reality. And if you do not slow down and check in with yourself, ministry will become performance instead of overflow.
One of the biggest dangers in ministry is mistaking service for self-awareness. You can be active in every assignment but disconnected from your actual condition. You can be the go-to person for advice while avoiding your own mirror. You can be known and admired but completely numb. That is how burnout begins. That is how spiritual fatigue shows up. And that is how you wake up one day and realize you no longer recognize the person behind the collar or the pulpit.
Emotional intelligence is not just a leadership tool. It is a survival strategy for anyone who serves. It teaches you to sit with your feelings before they sabotage your flow. It teaches you how to rest before resentment sets in. It teaches you how to regulate your response when the weight of people’s expectations gets heavy. And it reminds you that you are not your role. You are not your results. You are not defined by how much you can carry. You are loved by God even when you say no. Even when you pause. Even when you are not performing.
I had to learn that ministry is not a replacement for therapy. It is not a substitute for processing. It is not a pass for neglecting emotional accountability. There were seasons where I kept going because I thought that was faithfulness. But the truth was, I was afraid to be still. I thought rest would make me look weak. I thought boundaries would make me look selfish. I thought silence would make people forget me. And the more I ignored myself, the louder my emotions started talking in ways I could no longer control.
That is where emotional intelligence changed everything. It gave me the language to say, “I am called, but I am still growing.” It gave me the courage to admit that I needed rest, not just for my body, but for my spirit. It gave me the tools to understand that every urgent request is not my responsibility. It reminded me that the Holy Spirit does not just work through what I say to others—it works through what I allow God to say to me.
Ministry accountability is not just about what you teach or how you lead. It is also about what you model. Are you showing people how to serve from a place of health, or are you normalizing burnout? Are you pointing people to the God of peace while living in constant chaos yourself? Are you teaching grace but refusing to give any to yourself? These questions are not meant to condemn. They are meant to confront.
Ministry is sacred. But it is not supposed to break you. It is supposed to refine you. And refinement takes honesty. It takes stillness. It takes structure. It takes asking for help before you collapse. And it takes recognizing that just because people expect you to have it all together does not mean you have to pretend you do.
If you are reading this and you are tired, I see you. If you are wrestling with the weight of showing up, I understand. If you are carrying pain that you do not feel free to name, let me remind you of something simple but powerful—you are allowed to be human. You are allowed to cry, to rest, to reflect, to reset. That does not make you weak. That makes you wise.
Do not let the assignment make you forget who you are. Do not let the platform become the only place you feel seen. Do not let ministry rob you of your mental and emotional health. You cannot pour if you never pause.
So take care of the vessel. Not just for them. For you. Because the best ministry flows from wholeness, not hustle.
