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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of April 24, 2026
- andreamilam
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Senior Spotlights
From now through the end of the year,
we'll be shining the spotlight on our Class of 2026.
Tyler Levons joined the GHS community in ninth grade. He says he appreciates the way our teachers take the time to connect with their students.
“If a student is having a hard time learning something, the teachers will sit down one-on-one with them and not make them feel ‘less than’,” says Tyler. “That’s very special, and it creates an environment where students want to learn.”
Tyler’s teachers say he’s guided by strong personal values and is known for lightening the mood with his comedic timing.
“Tyler has a passion for politics and thrives in a debate,” says Upper Campus counselor Mr. Martin. “He has made immense personal growth within the past few years and has become a key player within his grade. He has shown a keen interest in understanding how people, power, and policy fit together, which will serve him well if he takes a political career.”
Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida says Tyler has innate leadership skills.
“He is a great leader and he knows how to command a room,” says Ms. Rashida.
Tyler has enjoyed a variety of experiences through our high school electives including Farm to Table, band, and photography.
“Both of my grandparents own restaurants so I’ve always had an interest in the culinary field,” says Tyler. “I was able to take what I learned through Farm to Table and apply it to my job, and even have my grandparents change certain things based on what I learned at school. Moving from Anegada to St. John has shifted my life in a very different direction and opened the door for a lot of opportunities.”
Tyler hopes to enter the political arena, a path he’ll explore through his capstone, a four-week immersion in the professional world during which our students have the opportunity to experience a career they’re interested in pursuing. He anticipates working on the Tregenza Roach for governor campaign.
“Running for student council president and seeing how the crowd reacted to me delivering my speech ignited my passion even further,” says Tyler.
Tyler is still deciding between UVI and Virginia State University, where he plans to study business with a minor in political science and economics.
Tyler has been a part of our volleyball team, the chairman of his class’s senior trip fundraising committee, a student council rep, and student council president. Outside of school, he works at Johnny Lime and he enjoys fishing.
Tyler says he will miss his friends and working collaboratively with his class.
Tommy Nicholas joined the GHS community in his seventh grade year. He says he appreciates the personal connection he has with his teachers.
“I can joke around with them but they maintain that level of professionalism,” says Tommy. “They talk to you like you’re a human being.”
Tommy’s teachers say that he’s determined and goes after what he wants to achieve.
“He wanted to go to college overseas and play soccer and he found a way to make it work,” says Upper Campus math teacher Ms. S. “He has a lot he wants to pursue and he asks good questions about how to achieve his goals.”
Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida describes Tommy as “committed.”
“He knows what he wants and he goes for it,” says Ms. Rashida. “He found a way to make his dream happen.”
Tommy has explored various experiences through his high school electives including culinary, art, and PE.
“I like making food, and in art I enjoyed relaxing and being creative,” says Tommy. “I like PE because I’m athletic.”
Tommy hopes to go into the field of sports exercise science, though he’s also interested in the charter boat business. He’ll get firsthand experience in this sector through his capstone, a four-week immersion in the professional world during which our students have the opportunity to experience a career they’re interested in pursuing, working with Lime Out.
“I want to be extra prepared to have something to fall back on,” says Tommy.
Tommy plans to attend Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, while playing for i2i International Soccer Academy. He attended Northumbria’s summer program, after which the university invited him to enroll.
“I always wanted to play soccer in England,” says Tommy. “This is an opportunity for me to get looked at by many professional clubs. My parents knew I could do it and that gave me incentive and the extra drive to make it worth it.”
Tommy has been a member of our basketball team, flag football team, and varsity soccer team. Outside of school, he plays soccer on the Castaways U18 team and premiere team. He also plays for the USVI national team and has made appearances with the U20 squad. Tommy works at La Tapa.
Tommy says he will miss his classmates, who he describes as "one big family."
Upcoming Events
COMING UP NEXT
April 29-May 1: School closed for St. Thomas Carnival
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6: Lower Campus April academic awards assembly
May 8: ELC Parents Day
May 14: Sports awards
May 20: Lower Campus June/July birthday assembly
May 22: Lower Campus Awesome Authors
May 22: Eighth grade celebration
May 23: Grace & Gratitude Brunch
SCHOOL CLOSED FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL APRIL 29-MAY 1
School will be closed to students for the St. Thomas Carnival break from April 29 through May 1. We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe Carnival!
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 4-8
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up May 4-8, and our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association is spearheading an effort to deliver handmade bouquets of flowers to each teacher on Tuesday, May 5. The Parent Association is asking all parents to encourage your children to pick flowers to bring to school the morning of May 5. Parents who are available to put the flowers together are asked to come pitch in on May 5 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Lower Campus.
LOWER CAMPUS ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY MAY 6
The next Lower Campus academic awards assembly is set for Wednesday, May 6, at 8:45 a.m., when we'll award our Lower Campus students who met their April academic goals at the Lower Campus great room. Parents and guardians of second grade students, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents and guardians of students who will be receiving reading and math awards. Please note that those attending the assembly may not park until after 8:30 a.m. Please do not park across the street by the yellow house and along that stretch of road, as it is private property.
GRACE & GRATITUDE BRUNCH MAY 23
Join us for our Grace & Gratitude Brunch, an event hosted by our Farm to Table Culinary and Back of House students as a "thank you" to their parents who've supported them throughout the school year.
In addition to parents, this event is open to anyone who would like to attend! The brunch will feature a wide array of breakfast foods at various stations and buffets with elements of Caribbean cuisine.
Our Farm to Table events are run by our students. Enjoy dishes from our culinary class which showcases fresh, seasonal produce grown in our gardens and ethically, sustainably sourced local proteins on the menu. Experience exceptional service from our select group of students while mingling with residents and visitors. Click here to buy tickets by May 20.
Questions? Call Andrea at 340-776-1730 or email andreamilam@giffthillschool.org.
YOUTH TRAILBLAZERS RACE MAY 30
GHS will host a Youth Trailblazers Race on Saturday, May 30, at 7:00 a.m. The race is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade and will consist of a 2-mile loop around Lind Point. Scan the QR code on the flyer below or click here to register.
GHS Highlights
EARTH DAY FAIR
Thank you to the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park for another wonderful Earth Day event on Wednesday! This fair and its various activities align beautifully with our mission to support and challenge our students to understand and advocate for the environment.
MERIT AWARDS
Kudos to our students who were recognized at this week's merit awards ceremony! We honored excellence in academics, performing and visual arts, athletics, and EARTH, as well as those who live our values of being open-minded and creative, seekers and problem solvers, resilient, community-oriented, and self-aware and accountable. The presence of many of those for whom these scholarships are named made the ceremony an extra special celebration of our community and all those past and present who contribute to making GHS the remarkable school it is today.
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS/EMERGENCY RESPONDER CAREER FAIR
Our middle and high school students along with eighth grade JESS students learned on Thursday about the many unique jobs that await them right here in the Virgin Islands with our first ever community preparedness/emergency responder career fair in conjunction with Love City Strong. Representatives from the V.I. Police Department, Love City Community Network, V.I. Dept. of Public Works, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Information Technology, Love City Strong, St. John Rescue, and Customs and Border Protection shared insights into their jobs and answered students' questions about their various fields. We'd like to thank all the various departments and agencies that showed up for this fair, and a big thank you to Love City Strong for partnering with us on this important opportunity for our students!
PRESCHOOL DONUTS WITH DADS
Our preschoolers hosted their dads this morning at a "donuts with dads" event, where students navigated an obstacle course with the help of their fathers, then welcomed their dads into the classroom where they shared a handmade gift and donuts. Thank you to all our preschool dads for showing up for our students!
KUDOS, HOPE AWARDS RECIPIENTS!
Congratulations to Darianny Peguero, '29, and Kennya Estrado, '27, for being selected to receive Hope Awards at the I Am Hope awards ceremony in June. Darianny was chosen for the Trailblazer Award and Kennya will receive the Outstanding Youth Award. Kudos to both of these young ladies for their contributions to the GHS community and for setting an inspiring example for their peers!
CONGRATULATIONS TO GHS BOT MEMBER ON NEW PROFESSIONAL ROLE
We are proud to congratulate GHS Board of Trustees member Ivo Philbert on his appointment as Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement at University of the Virgin Islands. A proud son of St. John, Ivo’s deep commitment to the Virgin Islands and to expanding educational opportunity continues to make a meaningful impact across our community. We are grateful for his leadership and proud to have his continued service on the GHS Board of Trustees alongside this important new role. Click here to read UVI's full press release.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS COLLECTING RECIPES FOR COOKBOOK
Our Barracuda Boosters Parent Association is collecting recipes for the creation of a cookbook that will serve as a fundraiser for the association. Parents are invited to share your favorite recipe via Google Form by scanning the QR code below, by emailing Tara Zullo at tez825@gmail.com, or by picking up a paper copy of the form at either campus front office. The Boosters expect the cookbook will be available for sale in the fall.
Sports Central
VOLLEYBALL KUDOS
Kudos to our elementary volleyball team, which won two games against VIMSIA this week! The elementary volleyball season has ended and we'd like to say a big congratulations to the team on their hard work, and a thank you to parents for supporting their student athletes.
SOCCER KUDOS
Kudos to our soccer teams for some great game play this week!
Our elementary team faced VIMSIA Too, with a goal scored by Eli Sosa, and Ulla Muller, with a goal made by Hugo Sage with an assist from Bayron Lafontaine.
Our middle school team won against All Saints 2-1 with both goals scored by Ricardo Garcia Sanchez with assists from Knox Stone and Beau Ramsey.
Our varsity soccer team faced Antilles, with a goal scored by Tommy Nicholas, and IEKHS, with goals made by Kyla Groetzinger with an assist from Tommy Nicholas and a penalty by Tommy Nicholas.
Go, 'Cudas!
SOCCER GAMES COMING UP
Our elementary, middle school, and varsity soccer team have regular season games coming up. Home games are denoted with an asterisk*. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Elementary Soccer
Friday, April 27, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Seventh Day at Trayser Field
Middle School Soccer
Friday, April 24, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Trayser Field
Monday, April 27, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles Too at Antilles
Varsity Soccer
Tuesday, May 5, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at IEKHS
Dates to Remember
See below for important dates to remember over the next two months. View the full school year calendar by clicking here.
Community Corner: News You Can Use
DPW KIDS ART COMPETITION SUBMISSION DEADLINE MAY 4
The V.I. Department of Public Works invites students in grades kindergarten through 5 to submit artwork inspired by the prompt "If I worked for Public Works ..." The submission deadline is May 4. See flyer below for more details.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OPPORTUNITY AT POWER SWIM MAY 24
The Friends of VINP is seeking volunteers for the Power Swim on May 24. Students who volunteer will receive community service hours for your effort. Those who are interested should contact Jennifer Stone at jstone@friendsvinp.org or 340-779-4940.
CREATIVE ARTS & LITERACY WORKSHOP PARENT & FAMILY ORIENTATION JUNE 6
Negus Education World Specialists will host a parent and family orientation on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. At this orientation, information will be shared on the sixth annual St. John Outdoor Love City Learning Summer Creative Arts & Literacy Workshop. Visit www.neguseducation.com for more details.
FRIENDS OF VINP SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is offering summer job opportunities for high schoolers. The summer trail crew is an opportunity for V.I. high schoolers interested in nature and conservation, getting outdoors, and learning lifelong skills. The summer camp coordinator position is open to anyone ages 16 and up who's interested in assisting with youth summer camp eco lessons and swim lessons at Cinnamon Bay in June and July from Monday through Friday. See flyers below or visit www.friendsvinp.org for more details.
AEROSPACE CAREER EDUCATION ACADEMY NOW ENROLLING
The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals' Aerospace Career Education Academy, set for June 22-26, is now enrolling. The program is open to students ages 12-18 who are interested in aircraft systems and components and aircraft repair. The cost is $175 per student. See more information and learn how to register below.
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