WNBA star Aliyah Boston and her parents launched a sports management company last year and have asked the EDC for tax benefits. (Screenshot of Zoom meeting)
A company formed by Aliyah Boston and family asked the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission for tax incentives Tuesday, saying their sports management company would do more than bring in off-island money but also teach financial literacy and life skills to youth in the territory.
WNBA star Boston and her mother, Cleone Boston, introduced their company, Parach Resource Management, LLC, which would both manage Boston’s merchandising and other financial matters and engage up-and-coming athletes on and off island who may reach the professional level.
The Bostons’ presentation to the EDC was heavily weighted toward their religious and child-rearing convictions and only briefly touched on Parach Resource Management’s financial plans. Parach, they said, was a Hebrew word meaning to blossom or break forth and flourish. The Bostons hoped centering their company around the word would signal a mission to help young people gain financial literacy, engage with their community, and balance scholastic and sports achievements.
Boston, a power forward for the Indiana Fever, spoke briefly before leaving the video conference for a team shoot-around ahead of a game Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Sparks.
“Being able to give back is something that’s always been important to me,” Boston said. “I want to be able to help every single child because that’s where I came from, this is where I came from.”
Helping young athletes figure out the life skills needed to navigate the world of professional sports and money management will help empower Virgin Islanders, she said. Building sports summer camps for Virgin Islanders has long been a dream, said the 22-year-old.
“Compared to boys, young girls quit sports at an early age because they don’t think they can make it. And for me to be one of the women that kids can look up to, is a blessing. I just want to be able to continue to give back to my community,” Boston said. “There’s so much talent here. They just need the resources. They just need the opportunity. I just feel like for our life story, our journey, there have been so many people that have opened the door.”
Boston’s father, Algernon Boston, launched Parach Resource Management in September 2023 to provide management and consulting and development services to professional athletes, including strategic planning, marketing, and community outreach, according to the Licensing and Consumer Affairs Department. It will also be the headquarters for client merchandise development and distribution, branding, and management of endorsements and sponsorships.
The company sought EDC tax benefits as a small business sourcing money from outside the territory. Rule changes allowing non-professional athletes to charge for use of their name, image, or likeness means every college sports player could benefit from management, said Cleone Boston.
“We are working to put a system in place that would prevent a lot of pitfalls that athletes have,” she said. “These athletes need to be surrounded by a team that includes their family, that includes a back office, that includes legal contract review. Aliyah hasn’t signed a contract to her name unless it’s been reviewed by legal counsel that we provide.”
Another company hoping to receive EDC benefits presenting Tuesday was Shah Holdings, whose owners, Sunil and Mita Shah, moved from Minneapolis to St. Thomas in February. The Shahs company manages SAM Nutrition, which specializes in animal feed, animal health, organic fertilizer, food and nutrition industries, as well as the logistical and technological innovations that help minimize waste, they said.
In 2023, Inc. Magazine named SAM Nutrition as one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the United States. The Shahs plan to move their company headquarters from Minnesota to the Virgin Islands and, if all goes well, potentially expand to growing food for animals and people in the territory.
The Shahs said the USVI climate, cultural blends, and flora and fauna reminded them of their former home in Mumbai, India.
Later in the meeting, the Enterprise Zone Commission granted tax benefits to Frederiksted’s Idachris Enterprises LLC to assist with hurricane repairs. Benefits for repairs were granted for Claire Roker in Frederiksted and Lillian Garfield on Palm Straede off Garden Street on St. Thomas.
Lady Gang will perform Thursday at Tillett Gardens. (Submitted photo)
Jen Korte, known by her stage name “Lady Gang,” is bringing immersive art to St. Thomas with a Thursday event at Tillett Gardens that also celebrates the release of her newest album. Korte’s innovative live performances have long captivated audiences in the Virgin Islands. As a one-woman show, she layers tracks of various instruments to create a rich, full sound, all while showcasing her vocal talent.
Now, she is poised to take her talents beyond the Virgin Islands. Her upcoming tour includes stops in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, and potentially a return to St. Thomas, where she has garnered significant local support.
Before embarking on her tour, though, Korte will host a free album release party on May 30 at Tillett Gardens. This event, the culmination of over two years of work, promises to be a significant cultural occasion for St. Thomas. In collaboration with local artist Amy Gibbs, Korte will present the island’s first immersive art exhibit. The evening will feature live music, food, drinks, and unique decorations, including life-sized cacti and astronaut suits.
Also rolled into the event is the premiere of Korte’s film, “Ascension.” The film, which complements the album, tells the story of an astronaut’s journey from space to becoming an ancestor, visually interpreting each track on the album.
Attendees will be fully immersed in the event’s meticulously crafted environment, designed to reflect Korte’s artistic vision. While admission is free, donations are encouraged to support Korte’s ongoing artistic efforts and to help bring similar experiences to other locations.
A primary goal of the event is securing grant funding to expand the production. If successful, Korte hopes to return to St. Thomas to continue her filmmaking efforts.
Korte’s aspirations include opening for Reyna Tropical, a band with South American influences that has inspired her. As her career continues to evolve, Korte’s presence in the art, music, and film scenes is set to grow rapidly.
Ahead of a Territorial Board of Elections meeting this week, Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes said Tuesday that, as of now, there will be no casting of the lots on May 31 for a Democratic Primary in August.
Fawkes’ position was detailed in a recent response to the Democratic Party’s Territorial Committee, which sent Fawkes a letter in the wake of testimony she delivered to the Senate about contradictory election laws currently on the books and the need to amend them. Contacted after the party met on May 18, Fawkes said because of the inconsistencies, the casting of the lots was up in the air — but solidified her decision late last week.
Specifically, in its letter, the territorial committee:
Recognized that the territory’s elections laws, less than six months prior to an election, cannot be amended;
Clarified that it is the party that will certify the election; and
Set the expectation that the Election System of the Virgin Islands will run the primary as usual and fund it.
Democratic State Chair Stedmann Hodge Jr. said the party’s position is consistent with a recent District Court order that essentially barred the Board of Elections from deciding how a political party organizes its primary because of overly vague language in the law — but left in place rules mandating a primary election take place in August.
How the primary would be organized, candidates chosen, the number of candidates possible, whether there was time to change the law or circumvent the ruling, and if $250,000 of tax money should go to a primary process in the first place, were all questions debated in a more than three-hour legislative hearing a few weeks ago, where Fawkes said it was not too late to fix the problem by passing new legislation.
Reached by phone Tuesday night, Fawkes said her opinion hasn’t changed, making the May 31 casting of lots irrelevant for now. However, she noted that the board could offer a different opinion during its meeting on Thursday. When asked what happens if a primary isn’t conducted, Fawkes explained that all candidates would move to the General Election ballot. By law, this ballot should only contain seven names from each party, which is particularly relevant this year in the Senate races in both districts and in party office and board races, where more than seven Democrats are running.
Three of the Fabulous Five, from left, Lucie Rodriguez, Urylee Burke, and Yvonne Webster Pryce. (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Relay for Life of St. Croix is in its 23rd year of bringing awareness to the community of what support means: start a team, join a team, volunteer from June 1 at 4 p.m. to June 2 at noon at the St. Croix Educational Complex. The Fabulous Five is the organization of volunteers who work tirelessly to bring together Relay for Life each year. They can be seen outside Kmart, Cost-U-Less, and The Market selling T-shirts and sharing information about the upcoming annual event. The event was always at the end of May, Relay for Life Chairperson Yvonne Webster Pryce told the Source. “We held the relay in October in 2022 and 2023 because of the coronavirus. We want to get back to having it at the end of May, although it’s a bit soon after having it this past October. We brought in $375,000 in 2023. This year, we’re not near that amount because we are so close to the last relay — just a few months,” Pryce said. All of the money received stays in the community to aid the patients, Pryce added. The organization is still collecting from those people who have promised donations. They have until the end of December to pay in for this year, 2024, Pryce said.Teams consist of 15 to 22 members. Each member pledges to get donations of at least $100 each. A 15-member team has a commitment fee of $1,500 plus the T-shirt cost. “They go out and beg, and beg, and beg,” Pryce shared. The opening ceremony is 4 p.m. That is when the teams begin to walk around the track with a banner bearing the name of the team. They continue to walk the track throughout the evening. There is always someone walking the track. The highlight of the evening is the lighting of the luminaries all around the track, which is for survivors or persons who have passed from cancer. On the bleachers, candles will be lit when all the lights on the field have been turned off. The candles on the bleachers spell out the word HOPE. “I cry, I cry every year, and I’ve done it for so many years. It is very, very, sentimental,” Pryce shared.And we all are survivors, Pryce said. The survivors are treated like royalty, Pryce continued. They get a package and their T-shirts are a different color, she added.During the night, people continue to walk the track. They walk all night long until the next day at noon, Pryce said.Anyone interested in participating must have a T-shirt to enter. T-shirts can be purchased at the entrance for $20. Participants must wear sneakers to enter and walk the track. Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights will entertain in addition to other fabulous entertainers, Pryce said. The Source spoke with some of the folks outside The Market and asked about their motivation for donating and purchasing T-shirts. Alesia Greenaway is in the last stages of her pregnancy with her due date of next week. Greenaway was moved to donate because “my family has cancer. Right now, my uncle has cancer.” Greenaway plans to attend the relay. “I will stand by, but I won’t walk the track,” she said.Alesia Greenaway, standing next to Lucie Rodriguez, makes a donation to Relay for Life. (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Brent and Jennifer Metts are visiting from Richmond, Virginia. “We’ve had quite a few people pass from cancer in our family … both sets of our parents and our stepparents,” Brent said. The couple will be leaving on Thursday before the relay. Brent is a runner and does a lot of this kind of participation for cancer awareness. “We’ve had some tough family times, so we’re always happy to give,” Brent said.Brent and Jennifer Metts purchasing a Relay for Life T-shirt. (Source photo by Elisa McKay)Supporting Relay for Life in your community means supporting:Financial assistance for USVI residents during active cancer treatments for services related to the patient’s diagnosis, as well as ground and air transportation to and from treatment.Prevention and early detection programs such as screening mammograms, colonoscopies, and assistance for diagnostic testing in the territory.Lodging and transportation for USVI patients when their cancer treatment is far away from home.Cancer education and materials are available in printed form or by calling 1-800-ACS-2345 to speak with a cancer specialist 24/7.Continued organizational support to local volunteers as they fundraise and advance the mission of the American Cancer Society in the USVI.In the middle of the grounds, there’s an oversized chair that’s available for folks to take photos. The fee starts at $5 and increases by the number of people in the photos. It’s a fun way to be counted and documented at the Relay for Life 2024.The Relay for Life photo chair with Yvonne Webster Pryce and her granddaughter Keyanna Wallace. (Photo courtesy Yvonne Webster Pryce)For more information:
1-800-227-2345
Yvonne Webster Pryce, Chairperson, 340-642-1500
Urylee Burke, Co-Chairperson, 340-643-1256
Martha Mills, Teams Coordinator, 340-690-6416
Rosalie Javois, Survivors Coordinator, 340-513-4620
Lucie Rodriguez, Luminaries Coordinator, 340-643-5504
RelayforLife.org/stcroixvi
It was a perfect morning for the 21st annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on St. John. Approximately 135 pink-shirted volunteers descended upon the north shore beaches in anticipation of the 330 swimmers, ranging in age from 6 to 81, testing their endurance.
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteers were hard at work on race day, applying temporary tattoos identifying race numbers to participants’ arms and legs. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Beach-to-Beach volunteer Jens Schutt grabs a little water from Maho Bay to help affix the power swim participants’ temporary tattoo race number. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Azalea Nesbitt, 6, was the youngest swimmer in the 21st Annual Beach-to-Beach Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Magnolia Nesbitt, 8, is participating in the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim for the sixth time and is joined by her sister, Azalea, who is swimming in the race for her third time. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Lyle Stewart, 10, is a member of the Finfolk team from St. Croix. He will be swimming to Cinnamon Beach during this year’s Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Excited to “swim to the party this year,” repeat power swim participants Richard Amstutz, Renee Godard, Caleb Amstutz, and his fiancé Kacie Shifflett pose for a photo in the warm waters at Maho Bay. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Members of Team River Runner show off their race numbers before heading out on their respective swims on race day. Deborah Reyes, on the far right wearing #230, won first place in the assisted short course for females. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Ryan and Sarah Matthews are all smiles at the 21st annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
Wearing different colored caps, swimmers swam the short, intermediate, and long courses, making the journey from Maho to Cinnamon, Trunk, or Hawksnest Beach.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim is a popular event for many locals and non-locals on St. John. Before the start of the event, swimmers stretch and get their bodies ready for the swims ahead. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)With calm waters and a blue sky above, swimmers prepare for their races at the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, starting at Maho Beach, St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Swimmers heading to Trunk Bay Beach take off in full force from Maho Beach during Beach-to-Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Swimmers in green caps make their way from Maho Beach to the farthest course finish at Hawksnest Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
The long course winner, Kaeden Gleason, swam from Maho Beach to Hawksnest in 1:09:26, breaking the all-time power swim unassisted long course record of 1:10:40 set by Bryson Mays in 2011. Kaeden’s brother Teague, 14, came in behind his brother to take second place followed by Lindsay Barr, clocking in at 1:23:14.
Kaeden Gleason, 16, of St. Croix, came in first place at Hawksnest Beach in the unassisted long course, with a record-breaking time of 1:09:26. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Teague Gleason, 14, brother of Kaeden Gleason, came in second place in the unassisted long course with a time of 1:19:20. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Lindsay Barr, 19, of St. Thomas, crossed the finish line at 1:23:04 in the unassisted long course, beating her time from last year and again becoming the first woman to finish the unassisted long course at Hawksnest. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Not long after the top three crossed the finish line at Hawksnest, a steady stream of green caps appeared in the water before emerging and finishing their power swims. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Emerging at Cinnamon Beach, relay swimmer Cathryn Hempel was the first of the relay swimmers to get to the first beach. The Hempel Family went on to win the unassisted relay category, final time coming in at 1:35:34.(Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Doug Brockbank, 70, traveled the farthest to participate in the Beach-to-Beach Swim, coming to St. John from Washougal, Washington. He will head home with memories as well as a prize as he took second place in the assisted short course for men during the event. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Maxim McMahon, one of the coaches of the Learn to Swim program, won third place in the assisted short course for men during Beach-to-Beach on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Cheers erupted at the Beach-to-Beach awards ceremony for the intermediate course, and unassisted men’s winners received their awards. First place in the category went to Kalonji Von Schilling Royer, 15, with second place going to Zion John-Baptiste, 14, and third to Bryan Mason, 49. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Volunteers record and share the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim final race results on the boards before the awards ceremony. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Swimmers watch a large screen, waiting for their numbers and race times to appear following the 21st annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)After the event, swimmers, friends and family converged upon Trunk Bay for lunch, awards and cold sweet treats from local St. John shop Irie PopS. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Local restaurants from around St. John sponsored Beach-to-Beach, providing food for the participants and everyone else who came out to support and help make the day special. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Long time participant of the power swim Jeff Miller shares some words about the late Joe and Cristina Kessler, who were a part of the Beach-to-Beach family since the beginning. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)In honor of the late Joe Kessler and his wife Cristina, the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim will now be known as “Joe’s,” remembering his vision and enthusiasm and love for the event and St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
It was a perfect morning for the 21st annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on St. John. Approximately 135 pink-shirted volunteers descended upon the north shore beaches in anticipation of the 330 swimmers, ranging in age from 6 to 81, testing their endurance.
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteers were hard at work on race day, applying temporary tattoos identifying race numbers to participants’ arms and legs. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Beach-to-Beach volunteer Jens Schutt grabs a little water from Maho Bay to help affix the power swim participants’ temporary tattoo race number. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Azalea Nesbitt, 6, was the youngest swimmer in the 21st Annual Beach-to-Beach Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Magnolia Nesbitt, 8, is participating in the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim for the sixth time and is joined by her sister, Azalea, who is swimming in the race for her third time. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Lyle Stewart, 10, is a member of the Finfolk team from St. Croix. He will be swimming to Cinnamon Beach during this year’s Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Excited to “swim to the party this year,” repeat power swim participants Richard Amstutz, Renee Godard, Caleb Amstutz, and his fiancé Kacie Shifflett pose for a photo in the warm waters at Maho Bay. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Members of Team River Runner show off their race numbers before heading out on their respective swims on race day. Deborah Reyes, on the far right wearing #230, won first place in the assisted short course for females. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Ryan and Sarah Matthews are all smiles at the 21st annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
Wearing different colored caps, swimmers swam the short, intermediate, and long courses, making the journey from Maho to Cinnamon, Trunk, or Hawksnest Beach.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim is a popular event for many locals and non-locals on St. John. Before the start of the event, swimmers stretch and get their bodies ready for the swims ahead. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)With calm waters and a blue sky above, swimmers prepare for their races at the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, starting at Maho Beach, St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Swimmers heading to Trunk Bay Beach take off in full force from Maho Beach during Beach-to-Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Swimmers in green caps make their way from Maho Beach to the farthest course finish at Hawksnest Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
The long course winner, Kaeden Gleason, swam from Maho Beach to Hawksnest in 1:09:26, breaking the all-time power swim unassisted long course record of 1:10:40 set by Bryson Mays in 2011. Kaeden’s brother Teague, 14, came in behind his brother to take second place followed by Lindsay Barr, clocking in at 1:23:14.
Kaeden Gleason, 16, of St. Croix, came in first place at Hawksnest Beach in the unassisted long course, with a record-breaking time of 1:09:26. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Teague Gleason, 14, brother of Kaeden Gleason, came in second place in the unassisted long course with a time of 1:19:20. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Lindsay Barr, 19, of St. Thomas, crossed the finish line at 1:23:04 in the unassisted long course, beating her time from last year and again becoming the first woman to finish the unassisted long course at Hawksnest. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Not long after the top three crossed the finish line at Hawksnest, a steady stream of green caps appeared in the water before emerging and finishing their power swims. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Emerging at Cinnamon Beach, relay swimmer Cathryn Hempel was the first of the relay swimmers to get to the first beach. The Hempel Family went on to win the unassisted relay category, final time coming in at 1:35:34.(Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Doug Brockbank, 70, traveled the farthest to participate in the Beach-to-Beach Swim, coming to St. John from Washougal, Washington. He will head home with memories as well as a prize as he took second place in the assisted short course for men during the event. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Maxim McMahon, one of the coaches of the Learn to Swim program, won third place in the assisted short course for men during Beach-to-Beach on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Cheers erupted at the Beach-to-Beach awards ceremony for the intermediate course, and unassisted men’s winners received their awards. First place in the category went to Kalonji Von Schilling Royer, 15, with second place going to Zion John-Baptiste, 14, and third to Bryan Mason, 49. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Volunteers record and share the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim final race results on the boards before the awards ceremony. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Swimmers watch a large screen, waiting for their numbers and race times to appear following the 21st annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)After the event, swimmers, friends and family converged upon Trunk Bay for lunch, awards and cold sweet treats from local St. John shop Irie PopS. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Local restaurants from around St. John sponsored Beach-to-Beach, providing food for the participants and everyone else who came out to support and help make the day special. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)Long time participant of the power swim Jeff Miller shares some words about the late Joe and Cristina Kessler, who were a part of the Beach-to-Beach family since the beginning. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)In honor of the late Joe Kessler and his wife Cristina, the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim will now be known as “Joe’s,” remembering his vision and enthusiasm and love for the event and St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
A St. Croix man has been charged with attempted murder after dousing another man with gasoline and attempting to light him on fire, the V.I. Police Department reported Monday.
On May 24, at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to Level Up Service Station in reference to an individual making threats with a baseball bat. When officers arrived on scene they met with the complainant and the suspect, Francisco Cruz Santiago, who was holding the baseball bat, according to the police report.
A detective from the Criminal Investigation Bureau assigned to conduct further investigation found that the complainant and Santiago got into an argument over a chair. The argument turned physical when Santiago filled a water bottle with gasoline, doused the complainant and attempted to light him with a lighter. Santiago then put the complainant in a chokehold while covering his nose and mouth until the complainant lost consciousness. A bystander separated the two, and shortly after, the complainant regained consciousness. Santiago returned with a metal baseball bat and attempted to strike the complainant with it, the police report stated.
Santiago, 39, was placed under arrest for attempted murder, assault in the first
degree, and assault in the second degree. His bail was set at $100,000. Santiago was booked and remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated.
Alston Rouse
Alston Rouse, better known as “Pope,” died on April 21. (The location of the funeral has been changed.)
He is survived by his wife, Maria Gordon Rouse; children: Tahvia Rouse, Shaverne Graham, Dwight Rouse, Shermane Woods and Naike Woods: grandchildren: Tyrique, J’Nyah, Zion, Kenaya, Jerzelle, Kemornee and Anunique; and sisters: Francilla Jones, Viola Rouse, Joycelyn Thompson, Jacinth, Leonie Hendrickson and Priscilla Rogers.
He is also survived by brothers: Derrick Rouse, Otis Richardson, Alex and Loui Hendrickson, Clement Browne and Victor Brookes; uncle, Austin Woodley Rouse; aunts: Ionie Woodley and Lorraine Goreen; nieces: Allison Woodley, Gracelyn Rouse and Grisha Stanley; and nephews: Sean Rouse, Gregory Fleming, Sydney Thompson Jr., Tremain and Trecquan Richardson.
Other survivors include cousins: Rita, Royston, Jessie, Glenroy and Heather Hopkins, Jacki Duncan, Glenville Browne, Jerrilyn and Shirleen Woodley, Elvis and Laverne Baron, Arnold, Kendrick, McCoy, Kenrick, Mark, Ideta, Daphne and Laura Rouse; as well as in-laws: Randerleen Richardson, Betty Hendrickson and Ike Graham.
The viewing will be held from 9-10 a.m., and a Celebration of Life service will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, June 7, at Christ Church Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Western Cemetery No. 3. All arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
Arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
Maho Beach was a colorful sight, as swimmers of all ages and abilities put on their colored caps, which signified their finishing beach, before getting into the water for the swim. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
Ranking as one of the most beautiful swims in the world, the Power Swim, taking place in national park waters on St. John, is number seven on the World’s Top 100 Island Swims and this year the 21st Annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on Sunday had more swimmers sign up than ever before.
Friends of the Park added to their permit, enabling 365 participants, but they still had a waiting list of 40. The event was designed to include swim levels of participants from six years old to 81.
Azalea Nesbitt, 6, was the youngest swimmer in the 21st Annual Beach to Beach Swim on St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
It was a family-centered event, with about 30 families and couples registered. One of the participants, Margaret Kemp, who is 33 weeks pregnant, said, “Train them young.”
Sarah Swan smiled at the excited crowd on Maho Bay Beach, saying, “It’s our St. John family.”
Chris Meyers, one of the twenty-five returning veteran swimmers, said, “I’m thankful for the chance to swim the north shore and grateful to all the organizers.”
It took 137 volunteers and 64 sponsors to make this a safe success.
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteers were hard at work on race day, applying temporary tattoos identifying race numbers to participants’ arms and legs. The multi-beach power swim began at Maho Beach, with the first swimmers heading out at 7 a.m. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
This year, Alfredo Del Olmo is swimming with his sister, Federica Del Olmo. He said the Power Swim has been marked on his family’s calendar for twenty-one years, and each time someone visits to join the returning veteran swimmer. He has not missed a year but has yet to swim with his wife, Veronica, who was selected for the Argentina Olympic Swim Team in 1992.
The first swimmers into the water in their bright green swimmers’ caps were the participants in the long course, swimming 3.5 miles to Hawksnest Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
The Gleason brothers, who won first and second place, traveled from St. Croix with their parents, Jason and Malerie Gleason. A new course record was set by Kaeden Gleason, swimming the 3.5-mile race in 1:09:26. The 16-year-old finished less than ten minutes ahead of his 14-year-old brother, Teague Gleason, who placed second in 1:19:20.
Kaeden and Teague’s mother had been the assistant coach for the St. Croix Dolphins. Now, the brothers are on the V.I. National Swim Team and the V.I. Open Water Swim Team, where Kaeden won a bronze medal in the 5k Open Water at Carifta, Bahamas. The Virgin Islands Swimming Federation Open Water swim clinics will be on St. Croix and St. Thomas in August and September 2024.
During the 21st annual Beach to Beach Power Swim, swimmers in pink caps challenged themselves to swim from Maho Beach to Trunk Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
The Hempel family was the winner of the relay race. Clinton, Cathryn, and Joss Hempel traveled from Jost Van Dyke and finished the race in 1:35:34.
Three teenagers won the top spots overall in the unassisted long course. Lindsay Barr, hailing from St. Thomas, crossed the finish line at 1:23:04. The returning champion beat her time from last year and again placed first in the women’s category long course.
Kaeden Gleason, 16, Lindsay Barr, 19, and Teague Gleason, 14, arrived at Hawksnest Beach first, taking the top three spots for the unassisted long course. Kaeden Gleason came in first, followed by his little brother Teague and right behind him was Lindsay Barr. Kaeden also set a new course record, completing the power swim in 1:09:26. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
Katie Papa, 30, from New York, was the second-place female finisher, and Krista Polvi, 41, from Idaho, was third. Adam Steckley, 53, from Miami, was the third-place male finisher.
A lone swimmer takes their time, passing Trunk Bay Beach on their way to the finish line at Hawksnest Beach. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
In the spirit of founder Joe Kessler and his wife Cristina, who both tragically died April 25, the Power Swim has grown into the inclusive family event they envisioned in 2004. Both were supportive of swimming and dreamed of sharing this with a variety of people. Locals and travelers come together each Memorial Day weekend to participate in the seven races and thirteen different age groups.
Long-time participant of the power swim Jeff Miller shares some words with Friends of the VINP president Tonya Lovejoy about old friend and original organizer of the Beach to Beach swim Joe Kessler, who recently passed away with his wife in a tragic accident on the mainland. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
Applause erupted when a new sign was unveiled at the awards ceremony at Trunk Bay. It was announced that the event’s name is now “Joe’s Beach-to-Beach Power Swim.”
In honor of the late Joe Kessler, the Beach to Beach Power Swim will now be known as “Joe’s,” remembering his vision and enthusiasm and love for the event and St. John. (Source photo by Nancy Borowick)
Karen Brady traveled back to St. John to see how the event has grown. She had worked with Joe in the past and said, “What a legacy for Joe.” Jeff Miller summed it up best with the message written on his back, “Thanks, Joe.”
Excessive rainfall is possible this week across Puerto Rico and the USVI. Yellow indicates a limited excessive rainfall risk and orange indicates an elevated risk. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
The National Weather Service has forecast an unstable weather pattern with rain, thunderstorms and hot temperatures across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this week.
The NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has noted that a tropical wave is passing by the islands early this week, and an abundance of moisture will be present around the region. The weather conditions will result in the potential for heavy rain and thunderstorms over the coming days before drier air moves over the area at the end of the week.
Visible satellite imagery obtained at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. An unsettled weather pattern across the region is expected to continue. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico and NOAA)
“Moisture levels will remain high early this week as a tropical wave crosses the area, [and] this will maintain unstable weather conditions promoting a limited to elevated flooding risk every day,” according to an update from the NWS on Monday. “Hot and muggy conditions will persist most days of the week,” the update continued.
The soils across the islands are very saturated, and additional rainfall may increase the risk of flash flooding and mudslides.
Stay Safe During Hot Weather
The NWS also warned that the Heat Index, defined as “what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature,” may be very high throughout the week.
High heat is forecast for the region this week. Yellow indicates a limited excessive heat risk and orange indicates an elevated risk. (Photo courtesy NWS, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
“[The] Heat Index [may reach up to] 102-107 degrees Fahrenheit across the islands,” the NWS explained. Heat exhaustion is possible with prolonged exposure.”
As noted in a previous Source article regarding extreme heat across the USVI, excessive heat can be hazardous to the human body. When the body overheats, illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion are possible, and remaining hydrated and cool is essential.
A graphic describing the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (Photo courtesy NOAA)Forecast Updates
In addition to inclement weather this week, residents are reminded that the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins next Saturday, June 1. Weather forecast information, including severe weather alerts, is available from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency website and the National Weather Service.
The Source Weather Page also publishes a daily weather forecast, where readers can view weather forecast videos and disaster preparedness video segments.
