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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of June 6
- andreamilam
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
Senior Spotlight
From now through the end of the year,
we’ll be shining a spotlight on each member of our Class of 2025.
Addison Squires began the 2024–2025 school year as a junior. However, driven by her goal to graduate early and her determination to complete all required credits, she will now graduate with the Class of 2025. She says she appreciates how close everyone is at GHS, and that the school has taught her how to advocate for herself.
“I got my work done and did it because it was something I really wanted to accomplish,” Addison says of her early graduation. “It feels amazing. I don’t think many other schools would have been so accommodating.”
Senior class advisor Mr. Bill expressed his pride in Addison for achieving in three years what most students accomplish in four.
“She’s a very honest student who’s learned to advocate for herself,” says Mr. Bill. “She’s been met with many successes by facing her fear of failure.”
For her senior capstone, Addison experienced the fields of cosmetology and real estate thanks to partnerships with Shani’s Beauty Salon and Islandia Real Estate.
Addison says she’ll miss the comfort of her peers and teachers. Her favorite GHS memory is hiking with her friends during STEAM Week. During her time at GHS, Addison played varsity volleyball.
Addison plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands, where she’ll study business or cosmetology with the goal of one day opening her own salon.
Upcoming Events
LOWER CAMPUS END-OF-YEAR COUNTDOWN
The end-of-year countdown will continue at the Lower Campus next week. Details are in the graphic below. All clothing must be school-appropriate.
ALL CLUBS, ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO END TODAY
Third trimester clubs at both the Lower and Upper Campus and academic support at the Upper Campus will end June 6 in preparation for the end of the school year.
CRUZ BAY BUS TO RUN FOR UC STUDENTS AT EARLY DISMISSAL DURING FINALS WEEK
Upper Campus students will take their finals on June 10, 11, and 12, and on these days, dismissal is at 1:00 p.m. Varlack Ventures has agreed to run a Cruz Bay bus for the 1:00 p.m. dismissal June 10-12. Both buses will run as usual at the Lower Campus through the end of the school year. Thank you, Varlack!
GHS is exploring the option of using the school van to transport Coral Bay students home after their exams. If you would like to use this service, please email andreamilam@giffthillschool.org or call the Upper Campus at (340) 776-1730. If we do not hear from you, we will assume you have made other arrangements for your child’s transportation.
FREE DRESS DURING FINALS
Upper Campus students may wear school-appropriate clothing of their choice during finals, which take place next week Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
LOWER CAMPUS TALENT SHOW JUNE 11
Our Lower Campus talent show is set for June 11 at 9:00 a.m. All parents and guardians of students who will be performing are welcome to attend. Please note that those attending the show may not park until after 8:45 a.m. Please do not park across the street by the yellow house and along that stretch of road, as it is private property.
FAMILY BEACH DAY JUNE 13
All GHS families are invited to our annual Family Beach Day celebration on Friday, June 13, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Pavilion #1 on the left at Hawksnest Beach. Fruit will be provided and potluck items are encouraged. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. Thank you to the Barracuda Boosters Parent Association for hosting Family Beach Day!
GHS Highlights
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025!
In true Gifft Hill School fashion, we celebrated our Class of 2025 with a heartfelt commencement ceremony in which each graduate was recognized for their unique individual traits and talents. We are so proud of this group of open-minded, problem-solving, resilient, community-oriented, self-aware young adults. Congratulations, Gifft Hill School Class of 2025! See the full photoset here, on our website: https://tinyurl.com/3r9rt3an
KINDERGARTENERS MOVE UP!
We celebrated our kindergarteners' completion of the school year with a moving up ceremony this week. Students received diplomas and candy award certificates, and they treated their caregivers and teachers to a sweet song of thanks. Congratulations, kindergarteners!
TODDLER DONUTS WITH DADS
Our toddler class hosted a "donuts with dads" event this week, when they invited their dads to explore their classroom and enjoy donuts and fruit. Toddlers also sang three songs for their dads. Thanks to all the fathers who showed up for their little ones!
KUDOS TO OUR ACADEMIC GOAL ACHIEVERS!
Lower Campus students who met every math and reading goal for the entire school year were treated to a Tap Room pizza lunch this week. Kudos to these students for their commitment to academic excellence!
First grade: Neya Calixte, Rennard Prentice, Aksel Tarr
Second grade: Abu Abdulai, Kinsley De Leon, Madeline Dunlap, Beckham Rose, Kelsie Williams
Third grade: Nolan Thompson
Fourth grade: Vivian Guidi
Fifth grade: Lirin Loranger, Sekhem Sewer Gibney, Tianna Jn. Baptiste, Catalina Kinsella, Rollie Simmons
WELCOME, RISING SIXTH GRADERS!
We welcomed our soon-to-be sixth graders to the Upper Campus today with an enthusiastic clap-in to make them feel welcome and right at home. They then toured the campus with Upper Campus Principal Ms. McGuire, who answered their questions about middle school life.
KUDOS DAX AND SEAMUS!
Congratulations to Dax Chouiniere, '26, and Seamus O'Donnell, '26, who have both met the requirements to enter the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program! Dax and Seamus are "high performers who have shown outstanding academic potential" by ranking among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants on the 2025 SAT, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
YEARBOOKS HAVE ARRIVED
Gifft Hill School's 2024-2025 yearbooks have arrived and were distributed to those who placed pre-orders. If you did not receive your yearbook, please contact andreamilam@giffthillschool.org. There are a limited number of additional yearbooks for sale. Please bring $30 cash or check made out to Gifft Hill School to either campus's front office to purchase yours today, before they sell out!
Sports Central
SPRING SPORTS SEASON HAS CONCLUDED
The spring sports season, and the 2024-2025 athletic year, have come to an end. All athletes should please return your uniforms as soon as possible in order to avoid an additional charge.
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
ST. JOHN ROYAL PARADE & PRESENTATION SHOW JUNE 7
St. John Celebration 2025 will kick off on Saturday, June 7, at 4:00 p.m. with a St. John Royal Parade & Presentation Show at the Virgin Islands National Park. Gifft Hill School's own Nyimah Jacobs, '26, and Jahslynn Clendinen, '32, are in the running for queen and princess, respectively. Both GHS royalty contestants will host fundraisers the day of the parade. At Jahslynn's fundraiser at the National Park at 3:00 p.m., food including lasagna and kallaloo will be sold, and at Nyimah's fundraiser in Frank Powell Park starting at 4:00 p.m., baked goods, snacks, and other foods will be sold.
CAR SEAT SALE JUNE 8
The Virgin Islands Police Department will host a car seat sale with seats available for only $20 this Sunday, June 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Those who are interested should click here to complete the application, click here to view the training video, and click here to complete the assessment. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, car and booster seats are required for all children under age 8 or less than 4’9” tall. Data shows that approximately 60% of Virgin Islands children in this age group are riding unsafely.
PRIDE MONTH ACTIVITIES KICK OFF JUNE 8
The St. John Pride organization will host several events this month in honor of Pride Month. See details on the flyer below.
HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR JUNE 13
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health will host a Health & Wellness Fair on June 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Morris F. deCastro Clinic in Cruz Bay. Screenings, physicals, and vaccinations will all be offered for free.
RIDGE TO REEF CSA TO KICK OFF JUNE 14
Gifft Hill School is proud to partner with St. Croix's Ridge to Reef Farm to once again serve as the St. John distribution point for the farm's CSA. Ridge to Reef's summer CSA farm share kicks off on June 14. All Ridge to Reef vegetables and fruits are 100% organic and 100% GMO free. The farm share also offers products from other Virgin Islands farms and participants can customize every delivery. Click here to learn more or to sign up for Ridge to Reef's summer CSA.
CASTAWAYS SOCCER SUMMER CAMP
Castaways will host three weeks of soccer summer camps, one for ages 7 to 11 and two for ages 8 to 17. Please see flyer below for more details.
CHILDREN'S VILLAGE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Students who'd like to earn community service hours this summer can sign up to volunteer at Children's Village during St. John Celebration. Those who are interested should click here to sign up. Please contact Robin Wallace at robinwallace@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL OFFERING SUMMER PROGRAMS
World Ocean School, which runs the Denis Sullivan program that all GHS eighth graders are fortunate to take part in, offers summer programs for students ages 12-19.
Program at a Glance:
Summer Ambassador Program (Ages 12-15) August 1-8, 2025
Advanced Summer Ambassador Program (Ages 16-19) August 17-26, 2025
No sailing experience required – just curiosity and a willingness to grow!
See flyer below for more details.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR FRIENDS SUMMER TRAIL CREW
The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park summer trail crew work opportunity, which runs from June 9 to August 1, is now open for applications. This paid opportunity is open to those ages 15 to 18. Work consists of maintaining hiking trails and historic sites, working in the Friends nursery, and learning about kayaking, boating, traditional uses of plants, marine ecosystems, and more. Click here to apply online or see Ms. Burks at the Upper Campus front office for an application.
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