Dan Almon (GHS 1974)
and John Boulanger (GHS 1974)
have remained friends over the years and will be competed together in the 2024 Honolulu Marathon. Congratulations to team St. Croix VI Cruzers!
Jedeysa Lake (CDS 2012)
Jedeysa Lake attended St. Croix Country Day School for 14 years and proudly graduated as a member of the Class of 2012, earning the distinction of being a "Lifer." During Jedeysa's time at Country Day School, she was deeply influenced by the dedicated and caring teachers who provided guidance and support along the way.
As a student, Jedeysa served as president of the Interact Club and was an active member of the Student Council for four years. One of her fondest memories is the Mini Gusto trip to the Dominican Republic, where she had the rewarding opportunity to work with children and teach English. Community service was another meaningful aspect of her experience, including volunteering with classmates at My Brother’s Table in Frederiksted to serve meals to the homeless and underprivileged.
Jedeysa was a proud member of the Orange Team and always looked forward to the excitement of Orange and White Day, cheering, "Go Orange Team!"
After graduating from Country Day School, Jedeysa attended the prestigious HBCU Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. She graduated with honors in May 2016, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communication/Advertising Design. Following graduation, she interned at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., while simultaneously pursuing a Master’s of Science in Management of Information Systems at Bowie State University, which she completed in May 2018.
Currently, Jedeysa works as an Information Technology Specialist for the IRS in Lanham, Maryland. Jedeysa is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and is happily married to Matthew Symons.
Alessandra M. Evangelista (GHCDS 2020)
Alessandra M. Evangelista was crowned 2024 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen in Washington, DC in April 2024. Since 1948, state and territorial societies, as well as the international embassy community, have selected accomplished young women between the ages of 19 and 24 for their academic achievement, exceptional poise and appearance, excellent interpersonal communication skills, leadership, interest in social, civic, community and world affairs with a strong desire to serve others through community service, maturity and responsibility.
Alessandra was born on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and is a member of the class of 2021. She just completed her 3rd year undergraduate at American University studying International Affairs in the School of International Service. She is an executive board member of Sisterhood for International Engagement. She interned at the office of USVI Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and the White House office of Correspondence. Alessandra spent a semester studying abroad in Madrid, Spain where she had the opportunity to travel to 8 countries and countless cities. Alessandra also traveled to Japan on an official trip representing the United States, where she met with officials as well as Sakura Foundation sponsors.
Nyama Gibbs (GHCDS 2020)
Nyama Gibbs is a proud graduate of Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. She currently resides in Washington, D.C., working as an Analyst at a Real Estate Investment Bank, where she combines her financial expertise with her passion for strategic investments.
Nyama’s words of inspiration: "Be prepared for change." Her journey exemplifies adaptability, ambition, and the power of embracing new opportunities.
Miko Dizon-Bumann (GHCDS 2020)
Miko Dizon-Bumann is a proud graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology. She has recently embarked on an exciting journey, starting a three-year School Psychology program at the University of Florida, pursuing her passion for supporting students and their educational growth.
Her words of inspiration: "Don’t be afraid to try new things and always keep an open mind. Things you might’ve considered out of your arena might actually be the things you excel in. You create your own path and expectations, no one else."
Miko’s journey reflects courage, adaptability, and the drive to chart her own unique path.
Larissa Sweeney (GHCDS 2020)
Larissa Sweeney is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is currently serving as a Fellow for the National Park Service through the Navigating Home Fellowship in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands and the National Science Foundation. With a passion for environmental stewardship and community service, Larissa plans to pursue a permanent position with the National Park Service.
Her words of inspiration: "The best way to waste time is to worry. Experience and put your worries and fears into an action step."
Larissa’s journey embodies resilience, purpose, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Kelsey Bhola (GHCDS 2020)
Kelsey Bhola is a graduate of Harvard University (Class of 2024), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Engineering with a language citation in Spanish.
She plans to apply to medical school while continuing to pursue her passion for biomedical engineering research in the interim, contributing to advancements in healthcare and technology.
Her words of inspiration: "Be flexible! Having a plan can be a good thing, but in life, unexpected things can happen. Be open to change."
Kelsey’s journey highlights adaptability, ambition, and a dedication to improving lives through science and medicine.
Erik Williams (GHCDS 2014)
Good afternoon! Or should I say, aftahnoon!
Erik Williams here, class of 2014. I attended GHCDS (formerly CDS) from 1st grade in 2003 until the summer of 2012 at the end of my sophomore year when the refinery shut down and my sister Katherina, and I moved to Oklahoma City.
So much has happened since then, and I’m grateful that it has been a wonderful ride!
I finished high school in Oklahoma City and went on to attend Oklahoma State University where I majored in Marketing with minors in International Business and Spanish. Thanks to the professionalism, diversity and excellent leadership development at CDS, I was able to get involved quickly on campus in a variety of organizations that eventually landed me on OSU’s Homecoming Royalty Court, I was named an Outstanding Senior, got an internship with the Oklahoma City Thunder and a great opportunity with PepsiCo as my first job after graduating in their sales management program in 2018.
But more importantly than all of that, I am blessed to say that I met my wife, Ashley, while at OSU and we got married in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2019 after she graduated.
We then moved back to Oklahoma City in 2020 where I started my new role with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce on the Economic Development team. I now serve as the Manager of Talent & Business Growth supporting Oklahoma City companies in their growth, expansions, and removing barriers to growth ensuring they have all the resources needed thrive here in OKC.
Thanks to all of my mentors, community, and opportunities, I was recently named one of Oklahoma’s Next Gen 30 Under 30 Award Recipients along with my wife as well!
We have now been married for over 4 years and just bought our first house here in OKC and have loved every second of it. She also has loved getting to come visit STX and see all the places we went to growing up. We have now gotten to travel through Europe, see many national parks, adventure through New York City, LA, and so many other great places.
One cool final note, I swam for the Dolphins growing up and did a few sprint triathlons thanks to Theresa Harper. I continued swimming in OKC where I made the state finals in the 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle which led to my continued interest to keep swimming and doing triathlons later in life. I’m proud to say that I achieved a lifetime bucket list goal of completing my first Ironman in Panama City Beach, Florida just a few weeks ago and I couldn’t have done it without Theresa Harper, and all the Dolphins swim coaches I had growing up. Looking forward to doing more in my lifetime.
I have been able to see and keep up with a ton of my friends from St. Croix like you Firas!!!! Haha as well as Eve Watterson, Kent Buska, Mack Bryan, Patrick Lapone, Chelsea and Thorn Nelthropp, CJ Walker, Hannah Coughlin, Molly Bennett and so many others. I love getting to share with people I meet that I got to grow up on the tiny island of St. Croix and their eyes light up every single time.
It truly helped shape me into the man I am today, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the wonderful experience. Can’t wait to get back soon!
Thank you for allowing us to share these updates. As we would say growing up, “I catch ayo man latah!”
Best,
Erik Williams
Manager of Talent and Business Growth
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber