The British Virgin Islands were one of ten countries participating in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Associations U23 Men Volleyball Championships held in Road Town, Tortola on Oct. 10-15.
IVB, the international Olympic code for the British Virgin Islands, collected their first win of the event by defeating Anguilla (25-23; 25-22; 25-13). IVB was led by their dynamic duo, outside hitters Javin Wattley and Kymal Panchoo. Wattley scored all but one of his game-high 13 points via successful kill attacks. Panchoo added nine kill attacks plus three service points.
British Virgin Islands Kymal Panchoo tips ball in match at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Associations U23 Men Volleyball Championships. (Photo by. Oris Robinson)
IVB was outmatched by Dominica in their second game of the tournament, losing (25-13; 25-7; 25-13). Their third match was a five-set thriller that had the entire gym on the edge of their seats. Once again, IVB, outsides carried the team. Panchoo was the top scorer for IVB with 16 kills. Fellow outsides Deshawn Doyley and Jamarley Ramirez both scored 12 points each for the home team.
British Virgin Islands Jamarley Ramirez spikes ball in match at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Associations U23 Men Volleyball Championships. (Photo by Oris Robinson)
The final match of the first round was a crucial one for both IVB and St. Maarten. The two countries had beaten Grenada and Anguilla but had lost to Dominica. The winner of this game would be the second seed in Group A and would move on to the semi-finals while the other team’s tournament would come to an end. St. Maarten prevailed in a five-set thriller (22-25; 25-20; 25-15; 25-20; 15-13).
St. Vincent & The Grenadines U23 Men Volleyball Team Picture. (Photo by Oris Robinson)
The championship match featured St. Kitts & Nevis (SKN) versus St. Vincent & The Grenadines (VIN). The match was close the entire way but VIN’s Jamaar Cropper proved to be too much for SKN to handle. Cropper amassed 34 points in the final game of the event. Cropper also collected some individual awards to go along with his gold medal. He was the best outside hitter, top scorer, and MVP of the tournament.
Tournament MVP Jamaar Cropper of St. Vincent & The Grenadines hits ball at Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Associations U23 Men Volleyball Championships. (Photo by Oris Robinson)Here are the other individual award winners of the tournament:
Best Server – Ekreen Morton – St. Kitts & Nevis
Best Opposite – Aziel Belle – St. Kitts & Nevis
Best Receiver – Rajheem Euleuns – St. Maarten
Best Digger – Mervin Mingo – Dominica
Best Setter – Miguel Fontaine – Dominica
Best Libero – Mervin Mingo – Dominica
Best Outside Hitter – Jamaar Cropper – St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Best Outside Hitter – Victor Rio – St. Lucia
Best Middle Blocker – Shadron Delpesche – St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Best Middle Blocker – Malcolm Christopher – British Virgin Islands
Best Scorer – Jamaar Cropper – St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Tournament Most Valuable Player – Jamaar Cropper – St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Here are the final team standings:
A school on St. Thomas was burglarized last week and the suspect has been arrested, the V.I. Police Department reported Monday.
On Oct. 12, officers were dispatched to Calvary Christian Academy to investigate a burglary, vandalism, and damage to vehicle incident, according to the police report. Kadeem Barnes was seen throwing rocks at vehicles in the parking lot of Calvary Christian Academy. Later on that day, Barnes was apprehended and transported to Richard Callwood Command, where he confessed to burglary and vandalism, causing damage to vehicles, the police report stated.
Barnes, 34, was then arrested and charged with burglary in the third degree, vandalism, damage to vehicle and disturbance of the peace. He was unable to post bail which was set at $25,000. Barnes was turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing, police said.
Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett (Submitted photo)
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement:
“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of the thousands of innocent Israelis and Palestinians who have been killed in recent days, as well as those who have been displaced and are currently living in fear in the Middle East.
“As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have leveraged the opportunity to speak with the U.S. State Department and officials from the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security this week, advocating and receiving updates on the safe exit for American Palestinians living in Gaza as well as impressing the need to keep peace in the West Bank and support innocent people during this time. I am grateful that American officials were able to reach an agreement with Egypt to provide safe evacuation. I and many colleagues in Congress continue to urge the U.S. government to pressure Egypt to live up to the agreement, and for Egypt and Israel to open passage to provide critical support to those living in Gaza.
“It is imperative to take immediate action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. This conflict has left millions of people in that area without access to electricity, water, food, medicine, and other critical resources. We cannot lose sight of the fact that there are millions of innocent Palestinians caught in the balance of attacks—initiated by Hamas this week and the military actions by Israel—who are in dire need of aid and who are not responsible for the atrocities of Hamas that have taken place the past several days. I support providing aid immediately to people living in these areas. I and my office continue to remain in discussions with the U.S. government, Congress, and international agencies to support the provision of immediate humanitarian relief to those impacted by the war. Simultaneous discussions must begin on creating true equality of all people living in the region – Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
“I am thankful that through discussions in the last day with the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus, which consists of 58 members, the Caucus has issued a strong statement and is working to support President Biden’s call for the United Nations and governments in Israel and surrounding Arab nations to provide immediate humanitarian relief to those impacted by this war. The events of this week represent a stain on humanity. We must pray for peace and a better way forward as we recognize the humanity and equality of all God’s children.”
Please visit www.plaskett.house.gov or call our D.C. office at 202-225-1790 for more information and updates for U.S. citizens in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
It’s a shock to hear that a phenomenal woman has transitioned from this life. I expect that her name will be forever mentioned and the stories about another “keeper of the flame” will captivate us for a very long time.
Sen. Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen (File photo)
Sen. Alicia “Chucky “ Hansen indeed touched the lives of thousands. She did it her way! I reflect on the laughter and joy she brought to the airwaves during her talk show, “Keeping in Touch.” Although perceived as a force to be reckoned with, she was the most humble, loving and compassionate politician that I have ever met. I smile when I think about her performance in the political arena. No other politician can match the energy and excitement of her political campaigns. I felt exuberant whenever I attended an event sponsored by “Chucky.” She inspired me to become more assertive.
I can write volumes about how she impacted the lives of many other Virgin Islands residents. However, at the moment I wish to recognize the greatest of Alicia “Chucky” Hansen through a short poem that I have written. Thanks for sharing it with the public!
A Tribute to Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen
It’s a bittersweet moment for many; an immense sense of loss and sadness prevail
A powerful, sweet soul has reached the end of her earthly journey and left a legacy that none can assail
Our Territory pays homage and prepares a well-deserved farewell
As heaven opens to receive another angel
The Almighty eagerly awaits the return of this precious creation
Your passion will ignite minds generation after generation
Thanks for keeping in touch
and bequeathing us with sweet memories
You’ll be remembered as the most influential of all the dignitaries
Our in-studio team sits down with Doug Rideout of M1 Enterprises to hear more about his efforts to build a remote workforce in the Virgin Islands while Consider the Source host Adisha Penn recaps the biggest headlines of the week. To follow the show, which is updated on Sundays, subscribe to our YouTube playlist. There’s always something new with the V.I. Source.
Tractor rides, vendors, a pumpkin patch with carving station, archery – there was no shortage of fall delights Saturday at the V.I. Justice Initiative’s Harvest Festival, which raises money for the organization and the legal work they do within the community.
Spearheaded by attorneys Casey Payton and Melanie Turnbull, the idea for the Harvest Festival – now in its second year – came from their own experience as toddler moms and wanting to support activities that benefitted not only their own children but others across the community. And, thanks to the organization’s development director Tess Monsanto – who organizes the event and brings in all of the in-kind donations, the Festival has grown sizeably from the first year, with the addition of more non-profit and business vendors, but also a kid zone and the tractor ride, which for the first time took families through the entire Magens Bay arboretum. The crowd has swelled as well, with hundreds swarming the grounds, waiting in line or browsing the booths.
Organizer Casey Payton was the first to test out the tractor ride, which for the first time took families on a tour of the Magens Bay arboretum. (Ananta Pancham photo)
Along with offering some fall fun, the event also represented the coming together of many in the community, whether through donations or sponsorship of the Festival, or by vendors who were also raising funds within the event for a worthy cause. Toward the entrance of the site, on the far left end of the beach, Sage Ceasar and her friends were selling freshly squeezed lemonade for $2 a cup, which they planned to donate to the Humane Society of St. Thomas. The Caesar family recently adopted two cats from the shelter and saw firsthand how much the organization could benefit from the extra support – plus, according to Shay, making lemonade is fun because it tastes good, especially when grandma helps.
Sage Ceasar, accompanied by her family and friends, was selling lemonade to benefit the Humane Society. (Ananta Pancham photo)
Coming up toward the pumpkin patch, a range of vendor booths lined the path, offering everything from fresh food, locally made jewelry and, for attorney Su-Layne Walker, a Mommies and Babies line of customized shirts and onesies. Walker has been developing the business since she had her son five years ago, inspired by the lack of clothing choices for families on island. Part of her inventory was also dedicated to breast cancer awareness, with a design featuring local hibiscus. Helping in the booth were Walker’s siblings, including sister Kimba Turnbull, who added a table filled with baked treats to the space – a hobby, she said, that she picked up from her own mom.
Attorney Su-Layne Walker debuted her custom-printed shirt and onesie designs at her Mommies and Babies booth. (Ananta Pancham photo)
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day was the pumpkin patch and carving station, along with the kids’ zone filled with a V.I. Children’s Museum play area, face painting and the Tropical Treasure Hunt’s archery tag station. The V.I. Justice Initiative supplied the pumpkins for the patch through Merchant’s Market, but as part of its sponsorship, FirstBank VI purchased enough for the Nana Baby Home and Junior Firefighters, according to Payton. Meanwhile, young attorneys like Frederick “Andy” Johnson from the Territorial Public Defender’s Office volunteered to help families carve, providing detailed instructions for making faces and scooping out the inside.
Young attorneys, like Frederick “Andy” Johnson, and their spouses volunteered at the pumpkin carving station. (Photo by Ananta Pancham)
Payton said the organization is looking to source pumpkins locally next year and will pay $10 a pumpkin to fill the patch. In the meantime this year, judges awarded the team from Barefoot Buddha the prize for best local pumpkin dish or dessert, served up as a vegan pumpkin soup.
For families, the event was free with just the cost of admission to Magens Bay. Each year, the Festival benefits the Virgin Islands Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on creating opportunities for the poor to succeed through economic justice and poverty law. The VI Justice Initiative provides free legal representation, education and resources for economic and social mobility.
Major sponsors include RapierMed, Department of Tourism, Division of Festivals, Alpine Securities USVI, Southland Gaming VI, International Capitol and Management Company, Yacht Haven Grande, FirstBank, Magens Bay Authority, St. Thomas Properties, Office of Gun Violence and Prevention, and the Virgin Islands Source.
It was all about food Sunday on the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus with the celebration of World Food Day that included music, competitions, education and vendors focused on sustenance and conservation.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
Josephine A. Wilkes, right, with her friend Jahnet Phillips, sold potatoes, green onions, yellow squash, pineapple, tangelos and more Sunday. She said the island needs a juicing plant and spoilage from supermarkets should be donated for farmers to use as mulch.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
Michael Austrie, Fiola Alexander, Donna Gonzalez and Olasee Davis from the School of Agriculture and the Agriculture Department gave away 800 planters with seedlings, including kale, bok choy, basil, okra and tomatoes. “Grow something for yourself,” Stanford Crossman, assistant director of the UVI Cooperative Extension Services, said.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
The “Super Chefs” from Alfredo Andrews Elementary School prepared a meal of lamb burgers with plantains and okra chips, farm salad, soursop ice cream and soursop lime colada for the competition.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
The 4-H senior team made soursop smoothies, lamb gallettes, lamb loins with spinach au gratin, and creme brulee with soursop gelee in 90 minutes for the Super Chef competition.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
The 4-H junior team created soursop bush tea, okra hush puppies with remoulade sauce, lamb gumbo with jasmine rice and shortbread with soursop cream and sweet sugar to compete in the Super Chef competition.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
Fiona Stokes and Carollyn Winrow judged soursop breads, desserts and beverages for the home cooks competition using the fruit.
(Photo by Susan Ellis)
Michael Jaffars and Melissa Carter of the V.I. Energy Office talked to the public about conservation, training and rebates. Carter later spoke about water use during an educational workshop. Other workshops focused on growing soursop, okra and annonas (sugar apples).
First Cohort of GVI Fellows complete two-year program. (Submitted photo)
After two years of dedication and hard work, the first cohort has completed the GVI Financial Fellows program, the Office of Management & Budget’s Director, Jenifer C. O’Neal, announced in a recent press release.
The program, which started in 2021, offered recent college graduates first-hand experience working within some of the governments’ most critical agencies. Sept. 29 marked the end of a two-year program, which has proven to be one of the Bryan-Roach Administration’s successful initiatives that enables the government to retain talent, foster a culture of leaders, and develop a strong economic future for the USVI, according to the press release.
The seven graduates spent the last two years working in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Office of Management and Budget, the Finance Department, and the Office of Disaster Recovery alongside senior leaders and their support staff. Throughout their six-month rotations, they performed a range of assignments, obtained beneficial training locally and abroad, and built long-lasting working relationships. The fellows ended the program equipped with enhanced knowledge and skills to make a difference in the government and impact their community, the press release stated.
During the award ceremony, the fellows presented their capstone project to Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and members of the cabinet, which highlighted areas for process improvement in the government. By working closely with professionals within their assigned agencies, the Fellows were poised with inside knowledge of government operations and provided valuable insight into addressing issues and identifying opportunities for change, the release stated.
Bryan commended the graduates for completing the program and imparted the importance of being the change they seek. In his remarks, he mentioned that the administration is leaving behind a tradition and legacy of connecting the dots for young people by creating pipelines from Head Start to the fellows program for your first government job to owning your first home through the V.I. Slice Program. Bryan further encouraged the GVI Fellows to lead by example, remain positive, and continue to spread the word about the opportunities that are provided here in the territory, it said.
GVI agencies had the unique chance to hire from a pool of now-qualified individuals who they deemed would be essential assets to their existing teams. This group of talented individuals is the next generation of leaders who will chart the course of innovation and reform in agencies they choose to serve in, whether government or private sector, according to the release.
“I am pleased to report that the majority of the first cohort have received and accepted offers for full-time positions and are well on their way to begin careers within agencies across the central government,” said O’Neal.
The Source wants to help reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Every week, we will feature a dog or cat from the hardworking rescue organizations and hope someone will find their fur-ever friend on this site.
All animals have been vaccinated, neutered and are healthy.
Mordecai and Rigby (Photo courtesy of Real Cruzan Cats)
Here, we have bonded brothers ready for adoption, Mordecai and Rigby, found all alone in Estate Concordia. They are thought to be three months old. These brothers are a great laugh with their silly behavior, never-ending curiosity and loving personalities. Both are neutered, up to date on vaccines and ready to find their new home. Visit www.realcruzansats.org for more information and to see many other kittens available for adoption.
Logan (Photo courtesy of St. Croix Animal Welfare Center)
Logan is a sweet boy who is ready to find his forever home. He is four years old and full of love. But Logan is very timid and needs a home with lots of patience and time to realize that the world is a good place. He loves pats and scratches and is housebroken. His ideal family would have a fenced yard with another dog or two and older children – he is afraid of loud noise and sudden movements. Logan is a wonderful, handsome dog and will be a wonderful addition to his forever family.
Watch our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 21. Our YouTube playlist is updated every Sunday, AND check out Jesse’s daily weather updates on the Source weather page. There’s always something new to explore with the V.I. Source!
