
Student Spotlight

Fourth grader Hazel Rooney has been a member of the GHS community since she was 2 years old. She says she appreciates that our teachers care about their students’ growth.
“The teachers help you if you don’t understand something or you’re having trouble,” says Hazel. “They don’t expect you to be perfect and they care about you.”
Fourth grade teacher Ms. Laura says Hazel is competitive, creative, a fashionista, and is always excited to help others.
“I love her tenacity for learning new things,” says Ms. Laura. “She’s really growing a lot in her ability to embrace the journey of learning. She’s shown a real mature ability to set her own goals and she’s recently dug deep to make sure she’s following through with the goals she’s setting.”
Ms. Laura says Hazel possesses a strong awareness of others’ needs.
“She listens to what other students might need and jumps at the opportunity to help, whether it’s with an organizational thing, needing to borrow a material, or explaining a math concept,” says Ms. Laura. “She really thrives in the mentoring realm.”
Hazel says she values the relationships she shares with her peers.
“All the students care about each other and I feel like with them, I don’t have to make myself someone I’m not,” she says. “The positive energy makes me happy to come to school every day, and so does seeing all the little kids.”
Outside of GHS, Hazel does competitive cheer, gymnastics, and soccer. In her free time, she enjoys socializing with her friends.
Upcoming Events
SCHOOL CLOSED JANUARY 20
There will be no school on Monday, January 20, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
LOWER CAMPUS BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY JANUARY 22
We'll celebrate January birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, January 22, at 8:45 a.m. in the Lower Campus Great Room. 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. Parents and guardians of students with January birthdays are welcome to attend.
SAT PREP COURSE TO BEGIN JANUARY 27
GHS will offer an SAT course to help students prepare for the SAT test. The class will be on Mondays and Thursdays from January 27 through March 13. There is no school February 17 or March 3, so those classes will instead take place April 7 and 14. The course will cost $100 which includes the latest version of the Kaplan SAT Prep study guide with practice tests. Please sign up early, as the course is open to all St. John high school students and space will be limited. Click here to register for the course.

SEEKING BAKED GOODS FOR GHS GIVES BACK DAY
GHS Gives Back Day is coming up, and as is our tradition, our ELC students will host the island's senior citizens at the Lower Campus. We are reaching out to families to ask for donations of baked goods for the students and seniors to share during their time together. We will need enough for 34 kids and 25 seniors. Baked goods can be delivered the morning of Thursday, February 6. Please reach out to Ms. Rachael at rachaelfox@giffthillschool.org if you're interested in supporting this effort.
LOCAL AUTHOR TO VISIT WITH GRADES 4-8 FEBRUARY 6
Dr. Teshanne Phillip, a native of St. John, will visit with our fourth through eighth grade students on February 6 to present her latest book, "The Girl with the Magical Smile." The book is "an invitation to explore the power of kindness, empathy, and the simple act of smiling," according to the author's website. Teshanne has agreed to sell copies of the book to our students at a discounted rate of $10. Those who are interested in purchasing the book at this discounted rate should bring $10 in cash to either campus's front office no later than January 23. Please contact andreamilam@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
GHS GREEN & WHITE GALA AND AUCTION MARCH 1 - SAVE THE DATE!
Our 39th annual Green & White Gala and Auction is officially set for March 1! Here's how you can get in on the fun:
Visit https://handbid.app.link/GHSAUCTION to purchase tickets to the event and register to bid
Donate bottles of wine at either campus's front office for our much-loved Wall of Wine prize
Donate an auction prize or commit to volunteering at the event
Visit https://handbid.app.link/GHSAUCTION to browse our silent auction, where new items are added daily. Bidding opens February 1.
Contact auction@giffthillschool.org to donate an auction prize or volunteer at the event. You don't want to miss one of the best St. John parties of the year, all in the name of supporting equitable access to a GHS education!

GHS Highlights
WELCOME BACK, MOTALI!
GHS alum Motali Sofer-Greer has joined a growing group of GHS grads who now work at the school. He's playing an important role in our EARTH program and we couldn't be happier to have him here!

Sports Central
MLK BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND
Our boys varsity basketball team will compete in the MLK Jr. Invitational Basketball Tournament this weekend at the University of the Virgin Islands. Best of luck boys and go, Barracudas!
MLK REGATTA THIS WEEKEND
Best of luck to Anais Craig, Bannon Beaty, Delilah Craig, and Emilie O'Born as they compete in St. Thomas Yacht Club's MLK Regatta this weekend! Anais and Bannon will be sailing 420s and Delilah and Emilie will be racing in Optimists.
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
JEFF MILLER TO PRESENT 'JUST KEEP SWIMMING' JANUARY 21
St. John marathon swimmer Jeff Miller will host a free presentation, "Just Keep Swimming," January 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the GHS Upper Campus atrium. Miller will talk about his personal experience completing long-distance swims including his most recent 15.5-mile swim from Virgin Gorda to St. John through the Sir Francis Drake Channel. He will also talk about the marine life he has encountered during his numerous swims. This presentation is sponsored by the Virgin Islands Audubon Society.
ST. JOHN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 22
The St. John Historical Society will host an open house at the organization's new office, upstairs at the St. John Properties building. The event begins at noon and wine and cheese will be served from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
FRIENDS OF VINP'S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD TO PRESENT TALK ON EXPLORING MARINE LIFE
The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park Young Professionals Board will host its first monthly talk series at the NPS Lind Point conference room on Friday, January 24, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. This month's topic will be about exploring marine life in the Virgin Islands with University of the Virgin Islands' Kaitlyn Rommelfanger discussing mangroves, Dr. Marilyn Brandt discussing coral reefs, and Dr. Tyler Smith discussing Ciguatera fish poisoning. This free event is geared toward creating more engagement among younger generations.
Free transportation will be provided from the NPS Visitors Center at 5:30 p.m. and will return by 7:30 p.m.

GET TRASHED CLEANUP JANUARY 25
Get Trashed St. John will host a cleanup along Cruz Bay beach starting at 10:00 a.m. on January 25 at the Beach Bar. Participants should bring a friend, water, and sunscreen. Bags and gloves will be provided.
VIRTUAL COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT FEBRUARY 6
V.I. Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy is hosting a virtual college planning night on Thursday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m. Admissions representatives from the University of Vermont and Southern Methodist University will present on the topics of general college search, application process, transitioning from high school to college, and financial aid. This event is open to everyone. All high school students and their parents/guardians are welcome. Click here to attend: https://vimsia-org.zoom.us/j/9646853003
BLAKE & KAREN RAPIER SPACE CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 21
Virgin Islands high school students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher are invited to apply for the Blake & Karen Rapier Space Camp Scholarship. The scholarship covers all costs for space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. with program dates running from May through August 2025. Students will participate in simulated space missions, astronaut training, and hands-on activities including robotics and engineering challenges. Applications must include one letter of recommendation, a personal statement (500-750 words), and a resume. To apply, visit https://cfvi.co/SpaceCamp. For more information, contact 340-626-9396 or allena@rapiermed.com.
FEMA NOW ACCEPTING YOUTH PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL APPLICATIONS
FEMA is looking for students in grades 8 through 11 who are interested in supporting disaster preparedness to join the Youth Preparedness Council. The YPC provides young people an opportunity to learn about emergency management, develop professional skills, and share their perspectives with FEMA staff. During their one-year term, YPC members can gain valuable leadership and emergency management experience and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. YPC members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and nonprofits.
During their one-year term, council members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and nonprofits.
The online application closes March 3. To learn more about the YPC and application requirements, visit the YPC website and visit the application page to apply. FEMA will also host two webinars to learn more about the application process for potential applicants January 30 at 9:00 p.m. and February 11 at 6:00 p.m.
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