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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of May 15, 2026
- andreamilam
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
Senior Spotlights
From now through the end of the year,
we'll be shining the spotlight on our Class of 2026.
Angel Perez joined the GHS community in fifth grade. He says he appreciates the way our teachers work to make sure everyone feels included.
“Even if you’re quiet, they include you,” says Angel. “They don’t let you feel left out.”
Angel’s teachers describe him as thoughtful, creative, and charismatic.
“He always brings a positive mindset to class,” says Upper Campus science teacher Mr. Bill. “He has an engineering mindset and works well with his hands to create strong prototypes and lab setups. Angel is always curious about the natural world and has made an effort through scuba diving with GHS to improve the reefs of the Virgin Islands.”
“He asks great questions and helps his peers think about problems from a new perspective,” says Upper Campus math teacher Ms. S. “He doesn’t give up when things are hard. He’ll ask if he can sit with a problem a little longer to take the time to think it through.”
Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida says Angel has great relationships with his classmates.
“He’s both passionate and easygoing,” she says. “I’ve seen a lot of growth in him over the years.”
Angel has enjoyed exploring a variety of experiences through our high school electives and STEAM Week offerings, including pottery, back of house, outdoor cooking, and hunting lionfish and scuba diving.
“Diving is something I never imagined I would do, so when I saw the opportunity I was like, ‘Let me try it,’” says Angel. “I like it very much and now I have my Advanced Open Water certification.”
Angel is further exploring his love of the sea 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 Low Key Watersports and the Caribbean Oceanic Restoration and Education Foundation.
“I want to come back to the V.I. after college to captain boats and eventually start my own business,” says Angel. “It’s something I got interested in through scuba diving when one of the captains asked if I wanted to drive. It was a cool experience and I saw it as a door for the future.”
Angel plans to attend Northeast Maritime Institute in Massachusetts, where he’ll earn his 100-ton license with the hopes of being a boat captain. He’s been a member of our basketball, volleyball, and baseball teams. Outside of school, Angel enjoys spending time with friends, playing video games, and going to the beach.
Angel says he will miss the small GHS community and how interconnected everyone is.
Lillian Richardson joined the GHS community in 10th grade. She says she appreciates our teachers’ constant willingness to help their students.
“The teachers have a never-ending well of patience with their students,” says Lillian.
Lillian’s teachers say she’s a diligent student who’s always willing to help her peers.
“She always extends herself to her peers to help them with their work,” says Upper Campus science teacher Mr. Bill. “She’s very inquisitive. She asks great questions during class that elevate the classroom discourse. She’s always learning and exploring.”
Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida describes Lillian as witty.
“She always has interesting fun facts or tidbits of information she likes to share with me during advisory,” says Ms. Rashida. “She’s quick with her words and very responsive.”
Lillian has gravitated toward high school electives and STEAM Week offerings that allow her to spend time outside.
Lillian particularly enjoyed her spring 2026 STEAM Week activity, during which she worked with our third grade class to teach them how to swim.
"We spent the morning helping out in the toddler classroom, then taught the third graders to swim," says Lillian. "I loved getting to work with the younger kids."
She’s a member of our varsity sailing team and has found a love of the sport while at GHS.
“My parents signed me up for sailing and I grew to love it,” says Lillian. “I love the feeling of being a part of nature. You’re not harming it, but harnessing it.”
Lillian is further exploring her love of nature through her 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 the Virgin Islands National Park. She plans to attend Sewanee: The University of the South, where she’ll study psychology.
“It’s a gorgeous campus and it felt like home when I went to visit,” says Lillian. “I’m interested in studying early childhood psychology, because your early years are the foundation on which everything is built. Nature and nurture do play a role. Nurture can either help the good in the nature, or it can help the bad in the nature rule.”
In addition to being a part of our varsity sailing team and in our sailing club, Lillian is a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, she takes parts in Kids and the Sea and works at Mumbo Jumbo.
Lillian says she will miss her teachers “because they are cool.”
Upcoming Events
COMING UP NEXT
May 20: Lower Campus June/July birthday assembly
May 22: Lower Campus Awesome Authors
May 22: Eighth grade celebration
May 23: Grace & Gratitude Brunch
May 25: Memorial Day, school closed
May 29: Class of 2026 commencement ceremony
May 30: Youth Trailblazers Race
June 3: Lower Campus academic awards assembly
June 3: Kindergarten celebration
June 4-8: Upper Campus final exams, 1:00 p.m. dismissal
June 8: Final grades close
June 8: Lower Campus talent show
June 8: Lower Campus field day
June 9: Fifth grade promotion
June 9: Family beach day
LOWER CAMPUS JUNE/JULY BIRTHDAY ASSEMBLY MAY 20
We'll celebrate June and July birthdays at our monthly Lower Campus birthday assembly Wednesday morning, May 20, 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 fifth graders, who will present at the assembly, are welcome to attend, as are parents and guardians of students with June and July birthdays. This event will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
LOWER CAMPUS AWESOME AUTHORS MAY 22
Students in our toddler class through fifth grade are excited to share their bare books with parents at our Awesome Authors event on May 22 at 9:00 a.m. Bare books are blank books students fill with original stories and illustrations, making for a wonderful keepsake. Each grade works with a different theme, allowing students to explore their creativity while developing writing and artistic skills. Parents, when the Lower Campus parking lot is full please utilize the Upper Campus gravel lot. 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.
SUMMER VOLLEYBALL CLINIC JUNE 27
GHS will host a free summer volleyball clinic for middle and high school students with coach Nikki Hackenberg on June 27 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Trayser Field. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here or scan the QR code on the flyer below to sign your child up for this clinic.
GHS Highlights
SPORTS AWARDS
We recognized our winter and spring athletes this week at our sports awards ceremony, where we celebrated our student athletes for their perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to their sport. Clockwise, from top left: elementary basketball, varsity boys basketball, elementary girls volleyball, middle school soccer, sailing, varsity girls basketball, varsity soccer, elementary soccer. Congratulations, 'Cudas!
GHS POP-UP SUMMER VACATION AUCTION
Did you miss our auction in March? Looking for a fun summer getaway? Check out our Pop-Up Summer Vacation Auction! Fabulous stays at The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in Maui plus Gallows Point Resort, Fiddlewood Cottage, and Anestasi Cottage on St. John are up for bidding. Win an unforgettable summer getaway while supporting student financial aid! Click here to bid today!
YEARBOOKS HAVE ARRIVED!
The 2025-2026 yearbook is here and has been distributed to those who pre-ordered. There is a very limited amount still available 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
KUDOS MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM!
Kudos to our middle school soccer team for making it to the playoffs and playing their best against All Saints and Antilles. Scoring against All Saints were Ricardo Garcia Sanchez with an assist from Colt Smith, Rollie Simmons with an assist from Ricardo Garcia Sanchez, and Rollie Simmons with an assist from Beau Ramsey. The middle school soccer season has now concluded. Congratulations, 'Cudas!
SPRING SPORTS SEASON COMING TO AN END
As the spring sports season concludes, we'd like to remind all athletes to please return your uniforms.
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
INTRO TO LACROSSE EVENT THIS SUNDAY
The U.S. Virgin Islands Lacrosse Association will host an intro and play lacrosse event this Sunday, May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event is open to all ages. Equipment will be provided. The event is free but donations are appreciated. Call the number or scan the QR code on the flyer below for more information.
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.
CRUZ BAY FAMILY PRACTICE BACK TO SCHOOL PHYSICALS AND VACCINATION CLINIC JUNE 13
The Cruz Bay Family Practice will host a back-to-school physicals and vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call 340-775-2303 to make an appointment.
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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