CFVI Awards $193,300 in Scholarships to 65 Virgin Islands Students



The Foundation has distributed more than $4 million in scholarships since 1996

Monnica Martin was awarded the $2,500 Dish Fund Scholarship.

Jahnaiy Rodriguez was awarded one of the $2,500 Heavy Materials Scholarships.

Mia Willis was awarded one of the $2,000 Isaac and Rebecca Paiewonsky Scholarship.

U.S. Virgin Islands, August 1, 2024 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $193,300 in scholarships to 65 Virgin Islands students for its 2024-25 academic scholarship cycle. Award recipients were selected by a review committee of 30 individuals who reviewed 172 applications and made recommendations based on the specific criteria for each scholarship.

Undergraduate Scholarships

• Alexander A. Farrelly Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Weena Leinelle Woodrup, Charles Gilbuena
• Anna Greene Walsh Scholar Award ($2,500 each) – Dalen Rhymer, Cenoya A. Hendricks, Abigail Valery, Woodlyne Lundi
• Artrelle M. Wheatley Scholarship ($4,955) – Nicole Winston-Hernandez
• Blackhall Family Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Jose Bougouneau, Ishmael Henry, Marcus Lett
• CAHS Class of 1951 ($2,500) – Lyniece Christopher 
• Coral World Scholarship ($2,500) – Ayaela-Elaine Louis-Riley
• David O'Connell Accounting Scholarship ($2,500) – Jennifer Estime 
• Dish Fund Scholarship ($2,500) – Monnica Martin
• Estelle Parrott Scholar Award ($1,000) - Mi'Kaylah Thomas
• Falek Family Scholarship ($2,500) – Gidal Williams
• Heavy Materials Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Arissa Breedy, Alexia Sargeant, Ariel Heyliger, Nakyla King, Jahnaiy Rodriguez, Keshaun Robinson, Grendaliz Melendez, Gerson Vidal Cordero, Mya Vigilant, Jayla Cuffy, J'ovanny Jno-Pierre, Kendalene Brudey, Hope Samuel, Jada Joseph, O'Keisha Williams, Michele Pemberton, N'Kosi Benjamin, Makeda Nash, Karim Henry, Azariah Providence
• Isaac and Rebecca Paiewonsky Scholarship ($8,000) – Mia Willis
• Jaci and Jerry Silverberg Trumpet Award ($2,500 each) – J'Niya Challenger, Jaden Richardson
• Judy and Scott Barber Family Scholarship ($2,500) – Nikolas Homer
• Junior Angels Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Nylani Bernier, Kashish Chainani
• Lana Vento Scholarship ($5,000 each) – Taysjah Heidmann, Hezekiah George, Makayla Todman
• Milan and Aliki Glumidge Scholarship ($2,500) – Carrah Henderson
• Next Generation Student Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Eurnett Christopher, Nya Ashley, Alexander Victor
• Prior Family Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship ($2,500) – Darnell Birmingham
• Real Impact Corporation Scholarship ($2,500 each) – Koen Christopher, Erick Encarnacion Sanchez
• Secret Harbour Scholarship ($3,000 each) – Devante' Rey Larsen, Amaysha Hurst, Jnaejah Scatliffe
• Theodore E. Sharp Scholar Award ($5,000 each) – Caliyah Helliger, Carlos Morales Portalatin
• Tunick Family Fund Scholarship ($2,500) – Shakari Brooks
• Universal Business Supplies Scholarship ($2,500) – Zion Baptiste 

Graduate Scholarships 

• CAHS Physician Alumni Scholarship Fund ($5,000) – LeAnn Horsford
• J. Raymond Jones Scholarship ($2,500) – Nicholas Durgadeen
• Lawyers' Scholarship ($5,000 each) – Amisha Mirchandani, Layalie Washshah  
• Librarian Legacy Scholarship ($5,000) – Twanna Hodge 
• NSL Graduate Studies Fund Scholarship ($2,500) – Jenisha Stapleton 

“At CFVI, we are committed to fulfilling our mission of enhancing the quality of life for children, youth, and families in the territory, and these scholarships play a significant role in that effort," said Kafi Blumenfield, Chair of CFVI’s Scholarship Committee and member of the CFVI Board of Directors. "Since 1996, CFVI has provided more than $4 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.

“The Foundation is proud to have supported the educational goals of Virgin Islands students for the past 28 years, and we look forward to working with our wonderful donors and students for years to come," said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown. 

Taysjah Heidmann, the recipient of one of the $5,000 Lana Vento Scholarships, is in her final year of nursing school at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.

"From a young age, my goal in life has always been to help those around me," explained Heidmann. Her mother suffered from several chronic illnesses, which made her upbringing challenging. "Witnessing her struggles firsthand inspired me to become a nurse and help those in similar situations."

Faced with significant financial burdens when it came to paying for her education, Heidmann has had to rely heavily on scholarships to make it through.

"Without assistance from organizations such as CFVI and the kindhearted individuals like the donors of this scholarship, I am not sure if I would have been able to achieve my goals," she said. "Being the recipient of this scholarship has made a profound difference in my life and I am forever grateful."

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.