CFVI Awards Over $205,000 in Academic Scholarships and Grants To 87 Virgin Islands Students
(U.S. Virgin Islands) – With great pleasure, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) announces the Foundation’s 2019-2020 academic scholarship awards and grants to 80 undergraduate and seven graduate students. Marie ThomasGriffith, Chair of CFVI’s Scholarship Committee and member of the CFVI Board of Directors, explained, “At CFVI, we believe that supporting higher education of our young people is one of the most important elements of building and maintaining a thriving community in the Virgin Islands. We are committed to continuing our efforts to increase the level of support available for talented and dedicated Virgin Islands students.”
Thanks to the generosity of CFVI donors, these 87 Virgin Islands’ students will receive financial support to attend schools such as George Mason University, Boston University, Drexel University, Florida State University, Berklee College of Music, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Temple University, Howard University and the University of the Virgin Islands.
CFVI scholarships and grant awards for this academic cycle total more than $205,000, in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. This year, the single largest source of CFVI scholarship support was provided by Heavy Materials, LLC, which awarded $57,500 in scholarships to 23 students. According to Heavy Materials General Manager, Margaret Ashley, “Heavy Materials is committed to advancing the educational goals of Virgin Islands students. Since 2008, we have provided more than $1 million in scholarships, and it is our intention to provide this important support for many years to come.”
Also awarded for the first time this year were 17 Next Generation Scholar Grants of $1,000 each to graduating high school seniors who identified themselves as members of a family in which they will be in the first generation who would be college or university graduates. CFVI believes that equal access to higher education is a key to making positive change within our community, and is honored to be able to provide this additional support to dedicated students.
Since 1996 the Foundation has awarded an increasing number of scholarships. To date, more than $3 million has been awarded in scholarships to over 1,000 Virgin Islands students. This year the Foundation is pleased to report the establishment of 12 new Scholarships, to be awarded for the first time! These scholarships include:
David O’Connell Accounting Scholarship – established by family and friends in memory of David, to honor the many ways in which he made a positive difference in the lives of Virgin Islanders.
Doris C. Battiste Scholarship – established by family and colleagues at the University of the Virgin Islands to honor the memory of Dr. Battiste and express their appreciation for all that she did to enhance their lives and the lives of the students at UVI.
Estelle Parrott Scholarship – established by the family to honor the memory of Mrs. Parrott, a generous woman who cared deeply for the community and particularly for the young people of the U. S. Virgin Islands.
Jaci and Jerry Silverberg Trumpet Scholarship – funded through a Scholarship Fund at CFVI that was created by Jaci Silverberg to honor the memory of her husband Jerry, an attorney and accomplished musician with a passion for the Virgin Islands.
Judy and Scott Barber Family Scholarship – funded through a Donor Advised Fund established at CFVI in 2010 to enhance the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands.
Paradise Jam Scholarship – funded through the Paradise Jam Fund at CFVI to support students interested in sports and athletics.
Sheesley Scholarship – established by the Sheesley family to assist Virgin Islands students.
The Dish Fund Scholarship – funded through a Donor Advised Fund to support students engaged in Early Childhood or Child and Family Studies.
UBS Scholarship – funded by Universal Business Supplies through the UBS Fund at CFVI.
Three additional new scholarships are funded this year by business owners in the Territory to help students with the financial burdens: Brisa Max; Real Impact Corporation; and Secret Harbour Beach Resort.
Congratulations to all of our 2019 Scholarship recipients:
- Michelle Adams
- Alex Adams
- Hakim Alexander
- Aaliyah Ambrose
- Jean-R Apollon
- D’Briault Atemazem
- Ludovic Atemazem
- Nouzie Aubin
- Ella Barr
- Iris Battiste
- Jeremy Bellot
- Janae Bruce
- Amal Bryson
- Pooja Chainani
- Chinique Charles
- Alex Cintron
- J’Mari Clarke
- Ashley Clendenen
- Nirisha Commodore
- Nichel Daniel
- Daicya Dawson
- David Dawson III
- Karmical Dore
- Devanny-AL’Leyah Dorelien
- Monae Edmead
- Jendayi Edmeade
- Crystal Fahie
- Suleika Farquhar
- Elizabeth Ferguson
- George Francis II
- Stacy Frederick
- Gia Freeman
- Hezekiah George
- Jemoi Gerald
- Johanna Gonzalez Weekes
- Mahlana Graham
- Makayda Gustave
- Keshawn Hardy
- Andrea Harrigan
- Ketura Harrigan
- Micah Hill
- Shaniqua Hodge
- Jernijah Isaac
- Nyalah Jackson
- Takia Joseph
- Estelle Jules
- Michelle Laudat
- Elisabeth Leerdam
- Diamond Lewis
- De’Umee Liburd
- Juchara Margetson
- Terrencia Martin
- Liliana Martinez
- Addis Miller
- Asel Mustafa
- Tywreh Nelson
- Nayeli O’Shaughnessy
- Radiance Peets
- Teon Persaud
- Gwendeline Pimentel
- Kahlifah Powell
- Angelina Prince
- Omaira Rachid
- Aria Rawlings
- Gabriel Reed Jr.
- JahQuan Richards
- Dy’Quoya Roach
- Jada Romer
- Jalen Roper
- Joseph Sibilly Jr.
- Shayahn Soto
- Aliyia St. John
- Deon St. Jules
- K’Nesha Thomas
- Knea Thomas
- Ki’Andre Thomas
- Micaya Tuitt
- Alana Urena
- Khaysaun Vanterpool
- Amanda Warner
- Elisa Webbe
- Travis’a Williams
- Brianna Williams
- Tommy Wise
- Ellaina Wyllis
- D’Shae Xavier
- Marquise Xavier
Scholarships awarded in 2019-2020:
- Alexander A. Farrelly Scholarship
- Anna Green Walsh Scholarship
- Artrelle M. Wheatley Scholarship
- Blackhall Scholarship
- Brisa Max Scholarship
- CAHS Class of 1951 Scholarship
- Coral World Scholarship
- David O’Connell Accounting Scholarship
- Dr. Doris C. Battiste Scholarship
- Estelle Parrott Scholarship
- Falek Family Fund Scholarship
- Good Hope Country Day Scholarship
- Heavy Materials Scholarship
- Isaac and Rebecca Paiewonsky Scholarship
- Isaac and Rebecca Paiewonsky Scholarship
- Jaci and Jerry Silverberg Trumpet Award
- Judy and Scott Barber Family Scholarship
- Junior Angels Scholarship
- Kitty-Koenig Probyn Scholarship
- Kym’s Kids Caribbean Scholarship
- Paradise Jam Scholarship
- Prior Family Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship
- Real Impact Corporation Scholarship
- Secret Harbour Scholarship
- Senator Marvin Blyden Scholarship
- Sheesley Scholarship
- The Dish Fund Scholarship
- Theodore E. Sharp Scholarship
- Tunick Family Fund Scholarship
- UBS Scholarship
- Whitley E.A. Williams Scholarship
- NSL Graduate Studies Fund Scholarship
- Lana Vento Scholarship
- CAHS Physician Alumni Award
- Next Generation Scholar Grant Awards
If your family, organization or business is interested in providing scholarships next year, please consider establishing a scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. The scholarship application, review, and award process is managed by the Foundation. All you need to do is name your fund and begin fundraising for 2020!
Because of CFVI Angel donors, scholarship funds at CFVI are able to operate without any administrative fees. Angels make annual gifts of $500 or more to the Foundation. Thanks to CFVI Angels 100% of scholarship funds will continue to benefit students’ academic commitments.
CFVI will commence our Spotlight on Scholars, which will be available on CFVI’s various social media platforms, so stay tuned. If you are a former scholarship recipient, CFVI would love to hear from you. Please take a moment to visit this link and fill out the questionnaire https://cfvi.co/SchRecReq.