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CFVI Awards $139,065 in Scholarships to 58 Virgin Islands Students

The Foundation has distributed more than $3.2 million in scholarships since 1996
Aisha Griffin of St. Thomas is a graduate student attending Boston University School of Medicine to study Cell/Cellular Biology. She was awarded a $5,000 CAHS Physician Alumni Scholarship.
St. Leo University nursing student, Ky'Onique Thompson of St. Croix, was awarded one of the $2,500
Heavy Materials Scholarships.
U.S. Virgin Islands, August 10, 2021 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $139,065 in scholarships to 58 Virgin Islands students for its 2021-22 academic scholarship cycle. A total of 1,174 applications were submitted by a competitive applicant pool of 256 students. Award recipients were selected by a review committee of more than 20 individuals who reviewed materials and made recommendations based on the specific criteria for each scholarship.

PHOTO CAPTION: Hezekiah George of St. Thomas is attending Bradley University to study Music Performance.
He was awarded one of the $2,500 Prior Family Foundation Performing Arts Scholarships.

  • Alexander A. Farrelly Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Abigail Valery, Michelle Laudat
  • Anna Green Walsh Scholar Award ($2,500 each) – Annella Durand, Shernese John-Pierre, Shania Nieves, D'Shae Xavier
  • Artrelle M. Wheatley Scholarship ($2,315) – Ellaina Wyllis
  • Blackhall Family Scholarship ($2,500) – Jermaude Bryan
  • CAHS Class of 1951 Scholarship ($2,500) – J'Niya Challenger
  • CAHS Physician Alumni Scholarship – Aisha Griffin ($5,000), Janelle Hodge ($2,500)
  • Coral World Scholarship ($3,500) – DaRe’one Christopher
  • David O’Connell Accounting Scholarship ($2,500) – Jehaida Williams
  • Estelle Parrott Scholar Award ($1,000) – Jaiel Wyllis
  • Heavy Materials Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Adia Luke, Andra Rogers, Toni Risker, Aria Rawlings, Diamond Mark, Jaiel Wyllis, Jaresia Elliott-Hendrickson, KyOnique Thompson, George Francis II (final semester $1,250), Amira Claxton
  • Isaac and Rebecca Paiewonsky Scholarship ($2,000 each, renewable for four years) – Shande Rivera, Gwen Pimentel, Monae Edmead, Kaija Edwards
  • J. Raymond Jones Scholarship ($2,500) – Ashly Powell
  • Judy and Scott Barber Family Scholarship ($2,500) – Le'Quinn Anthony
  • Junior Angels Scholarship ($2,500) – Princess Atemazem
  • Lana Vento Charitable Trust Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Junel Blanchette, Deonte William, Amber Alcindor, Estelle Jules.
  • Milan & Aliki Glumidge Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) – Nichel Daniel
  • Next Generation Scholar Award ($2,500 each) – Chervaunte' Lewis, Kadysha Schoonmaker, Eurnett Christopher, Breanni Perkins
  • NSL Graduate Studies Fund Scholarship ($2,500) – Ojuwa Lewis
  • Paradise Jam Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Danika Labone, Adorni Louis-Riley
  • Prior Family Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Hezekiah George, JahQuan Richards
  • Secret Harbour Scholarship ($3,000 each) – Amber Clark, Dy’Quoya Roach, Kaija Edwards, David Dawson III
  • Theodore E. Sharp Scholar Award ($2,500 each) – Caliyah Helliger, Amisha Mirchandani
  • Tunick Family Fund Scholarship ($2,500) – Shakari Brooks
  • Universal Business Supplies Scholarship ($2,500) – Shadejah Charles
  • Whitley E. A. Williams Scholarship ($2,000) – Jean-R Apollon

In addition to the recipients listed above, Alpine Securities provided $5,250 in scholarship funding through CFVI for the following USVI high school students based on strong SAT practice test scores from the Alpine SAT Prep Academy, which the company sponsored last fall. Scholarships are made available upon successful enrollment in college.

  • $1,000 each - Shaneah Brandy, Joel Castro, Nefertari Henry, Akayah Rodriguez
  • $500 each - Elayna Joseph, Meah Moss
  • $250 - Calvin Ledee

“At CFVI, we are committed to fulfilling our mission of enhancing the quality of life for children, youth, and families in the territory, and ultimately, that's exactly what these scholarships do," said Kafi Blumenfield, Chair of CFVI’s Scholarship Committee and member of the CFVI Board of Directors. "Since 1996, CFVI has provided more than $3.2 million in scholarships to talented and dedicated Virgin Islands students. We congratulate each and every one of this year's deserving scholarship recipients and are deeply grateful to our volunteer review committee for their time and dedication," she said.

This year’s scholarship recipients will use their financial support to attend schools such as Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Culinary Institute of America, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Howard University, Penn State, Savannah College of Art and Design, Temple University, University of Georgia, University of Miami, and the University of the Virgin Islands, among many others.

“In this time of financial challenges from the pandemic, when many in our community are not able to assist as in past years, CFVI could not be more grateful for the committed CFVI donors who have not only provided funding for scholarships, but have increased the level of many of the individual awards in 2021.  The Foundation is proud to have supported the educational goals of Virgin Islands students for the past 25 years, and we look forward to working with our wonderful donors and students in years to come," said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown. 

Ky'Onique Thompson received one of the Heavy Materials Scholarships for $2,500 and she couldn't be more grateful. "The feeling is a rewarding, yet humbling feeling. I feel honored that I was chosen amongst hundreds of my other peers," said the Saint Leo University student who will be pursuing her bachelor's degree in nursing. Upon graduation, Ms. Thompson plans to serve her community as a nurse practitioner.

Families, organizations, or businesses interested in providing scholarships next year can establish a scholarship fund at the Foundation. The scholarship application, review, and award process is managed by CFVI. Email general.info@cfvi.net for more information.

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About the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands
Since 1990, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has been a catalyst for positive change in the Territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning. For more information, visit cfvi.net.
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