2.2.18
February 2, 2018
2.9.18
February 9, 2018
Dear Alumni:
Happy February! After an extraordinarily challenging first semester, we are delighted to be in week 3 of our second semester and making headway on many fronts.
First and most important, we have already raised $789k of our target of $900k in fundraising for the year to help offset the projected $1M financial blow of Maria. Our success to-date has been thanks to a critical lead gift in the fall of $350k – the largest gift in the school’s history, record support of nearly $150k from our trustees, another $150k gift from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, and many other generous gifts from members of our school community, including our graduates.
On that note, I hope all of you will consider making an annual fund gift to support our efforts. Our advancement team will be reaching out in the weeks ahead – we hope to secure at least 400 gifts of $50 or more from our alumni, which would represent a 20% participation rate and make us the clear leader in the region. Most important, these dollars will positively impact our students, including the amazing class of 2018, pictured below on Friday, October 13, amazingly unfazed in the days after Maria.
Also on that note, if you are aware of any grant funding from foundations or corporations (including family foundations and your own companies), please contact Linda Stamper-Keularts in the advancement office at 340.778.1974 x 2113 or lstamperkeularts@ghcds.org. We are trying to bring transformative resources to GHCDS and appreciate any insights or suggestions you may have.
We wouldn’t have made it this far if it hadn’t been for our committed trustees, who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and generosity in the last five months. I wanted to highlight and thank our trustees who are alumni, parents of alumni, or current parents:
- Cesar Guerra, CDS ’96 and GHCDS P’26, ’23
- Gerry Groner, CDS P ’01, ’03
- Michael Bourque, GHCDS P’25, ’24
- Rhea Abramson, GHS’93
- Doug Capdeville, GHCDS P’20, ’20, ’20, ’20
- Joeseph Croney, GHCDS P’26, ’24, ’20
- Jed JohnHope, GHS’98
- Cathy Mares, CDS P’98, ’05
- Honnie Edwards, CDS P’01, GHCDS P’14
- Ricky Evangelista, GHS’87, GHCDS P’21
- Dave Ridgway, CDS P’04
- George Ashley, GHS P’13, GHCDS P’17
- Nesha Christian-Hendrickson, CDS’01
- Michelle Dizon, CDS’84, GHCDS P’20, ’22
- Kye Walker, GHS’95
- James Benton, GHCDS P’31
- Laurence Richards, GHCDS P’22, ’26
We are looking into the possibility of a holding an alumni reception in Atlanta while several of us attend the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) conference March 7-10. We will send out details as soon as this is confirmed. We have already hosted receptions (including school leadership) in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Miami – and we would love to connect with alumni in Atlanta!
Lastly, communities of our size routinely experience triumph and tragedy, and the last month is no exception. We will miss the inimitable Phyllis Biddle, our long-time art teacher, and her remarkable positivity, warmth, and sparkle. We will also miss Jazmine Willock, CDS ’13, who was a star athlete, soccer pro, talented artist, dancer, sister, beloved daughter and loyal friend. Both are profiled below.
As always, we hope all is well wherever your Crucian hooks take you, and we look forward to welcoming you on campus when you visit.
Onward!
Kari
Farewell For Now!
Phyllis Biddle, Art Teacher GHS and GHCDS
Written by Dan McKenna
Jazmine Willock, CDS’ 13
Written by former CDS Art teacher, Monica Marin
Rest In Peace our sweet, beautiful and talented Jazzy! This news has shattered our universe as we loose one of the Virgin Islands most beautiful souls inside/out and brilliantly talented visual artists. You will be so missed but your memory will forever fill our hearts with love. I send my heartfelt condolences to all her family and loved ones. I will never forget her bold and beautiful artworks- many masterfully painted & drawn portraits, that rightfully earned her a 1st place Congressional Art Award, the highest art achievement for HS students in the United States. Her artwork hung in the White House for 1 year as a result. The time I spent with her in my art room on a daily basis always filled my heart with joy. She was truly one of the sweetest and most talented students, always humble and always down to earth. She made the very best art under the most difficult of circumstances ever and always with a smile. Love you forever Jazmine we will never forget your power!
Alumni Reflections!
Kirra Griffith
What are you doing these days?
As a Chancellor’s Science Scholar, I have been involved in many classes and workshops surrounding professionalism and opportunities for research here at UNC Chapel Hill and at Duke. Last fall, I was elected Governor of my Community and since then I have been planning and hosting many social events for the residents in my residence halls, attending meetings, and networking with older students, professors, and UNC alumni. I am also a part of the Campus Y HYPE program (Helping Youth by Providing Enrichment) wherein I tutor children in kindergarten & elementary school (grades K-5) once a week.
I recently applied for summer research positions at the National Institutes of Health, UNC Chapel Hill, UPenn, and the University of Washington, Seattle. I am also in the process of applying for a position on the Executive Board for the Residential Housing Association at UNC.
In terms of extracurricular activities, I joined a Judo Club (martial arts) and for my Music minor (Major: Biology; Minors: Chemistry, Music), I am practicing the piano and taking private lessons next school year. I still swim and dance in my free time at the Campus Recreation Center.
Favorite part of what you are doing:
I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. Everyone’s path to Carolina was different and it is really exciting and inspirational to hear about their lives, dreams, and aspirations as college students and beyond.
What are your plans for next year:
Next year, I will be pursuing a research project on the relationship between memory and attention in a Neuroscience laboratory with a professor I met last Fall. I will also be networking with medical students and leaders of UNC Medical Admissions to involve myself more in service opportunities and clinical shadowing at UNC and Duke. In terms of major classwork, I will be tackling Organic Chemistry and Genetics! I hope to continue martial arts, take private piano lessons, and continue swimming and dancing.
Anything or anybody you miss from GHCDS:
I miss my coaches, mentors, teachers, friends, and family. You all were integral to the development of who I am today and who I am becoming. Thank you all for being a part of my life.
J’had Ferris
What are you doing these days?
I’m currently doing classes at UVI while simultaneously applying to other schools and looking for scholarships in an effort to create a path for my future.
Favorite part of what you are doing:
Although I didn’t really want to be here this year (thanks, hurricane Maria) I am enjoying getting to spend time with my friends and being able to go to the beach whenever I want to.
What are your plans for next year:
I plan on transferring to a new school and start living my best life!
Anything or anybody you miss from GHCDS:
Obviously I miss a lot of my classmates and other friends from school who I don’t see often. But I also miss the teachers and faculty that I’ve really gotten close to over the years. Like Linda and Kiomie, Ms. Banwaree, Ms, Grace and lots of others. I also miss the theater! I have so many great memories doing the plays and musicals at GHCDS and it’s kind of weird knowing that I won’t be on that stage with my theater family this year!
Elise Stamper
What are you doing these days?
Putting in 150% into my studies as a Honors Biomedical Engineering student at VCU.
Favorite part of what you are doing:
My favorite part of what I am doing is studying things that interest me and using problem solving in my more conceptual classes. I also love discovering new things about campus life in Richmond.
What are your plans for next year:
My plans for next year are to continue working hard and succeeding in my classes and to maybe get involved in a biomedical engineering research lab at my school to gain experience in biomedical engineering.
Anything or anybody you miss from GHCDS:
I miss the small and caring community at GHCDS. I miss my wonderful teachers especially Ms. Biddle and all the one on one attention and support I got from the teachers and staff at GHCDS.
Mario Capriola
What are you doing these days?
Since graduating from GHCDS I have been attending UVI and working at Caribbean Adventure Tours (CAT).
Favorite part of what you are doing:
Working at CAT has given me the opportunity to visit bio bay in salt river many times. It’s truly been very rewarding to see and tell tourists and locals about one the VI’s greatest wonders; bioluminescence.
What are your plans for next year:
Right now I’m not quite sure where life will take me next year, but I know that the future is bright!
Anything or anybody you miss from GHCDS:
There is so much I miss at GHCDS but there are two things I miss most of all. First all of my teachers and the staff; I had a close bond with a lot of the faculty at GHCDS and I miss their daily encouragement and support! Second the many activities and clubs I was apart of, never was there a dull moment on my schedule at GHCDS!
Hailey Coates
What are you doing these days?
These questions made me reflect on last semester and compare it to this semester so far. SO…a message to every student at GHCDS: first semester freshman year of college is going to seem insane. The pressure of making friends, doing well in your classes, participating on campus, and getting to know your new home is A LOT. I am currently majoring in Psychology on the Pre-Med track and it takes a lot of dedication to do this. That is why I put emphasis on the word “currently.” I think about changing my major every other day–no lie. I’ll keep you updated on that but I may continue on the Pre-Med track and major in theater or take a completely different turn and do Engineering. As for New York City life, there is so so so much to do that sometimes I find myself doing absolutely nothing. Which can also be nice. I spent my first week in Manhattan basically crying every time I stepped onto a subway because I was scared I was going to get lost. Now I can get anywhere in the city (wherever you end up Google Maps is your best friend). Coming from St. Croix, this city seems so weird and I’ve seen the most bizarre things – usually late at night on the subway. Finally, one semester later, I am settled in. I love the people I hang out with, I have applied to be an RA (saves you tons of money), finally auditioned -and got into- a play, and figured out how to handle terrible dining hall food.
Favorite part of what I’m doing: Living it up in the city! As tempted as I am to hide from the cold outdoors, I try and do at least one new thing each week. Usually my friends and I find cheap food, see a show, or a new baby or dog in the park to stalk.
Plans for next year: Next school year is far away I’m not worrying about that right now. I need a job though cause this place is expensive.
What I miss from GHCDS: Everyone knowing and being friends with everyone. Also the weather. CHERISH THAT.
Shauni Lustig
What are you doing these days?
I am currently living in Ecuador. I work in the municipality of my home town Biblián and I work Monday through Wednesday at the center for disabilities and on Thursday’s I work in a local hat factory where we weave Panama hats.
Favorite part of what I’m doing:
My favorite part of what I am doing is spending time with my local friends and with my host family. (They all only speak Spanish)
Plans for next year:
I have just finished applying for schools that are all located in Spain excluding one located in the United Kingdom. I have no set plans for next year, yet!
What I miss from GHCDS:
I would say I miss my friends that are still back home in GHCDS that haven’t graduated yet but I’ll be back soon to see them.
