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Student Spotlight
From now through the end of the year, we’ll be shining the spotlight on each member of our Class of 2024.
Charlie O’Connor joined the GHS community in 2020 as a high school freshman. Charlie says he’s liked every single teacher he’s had.
“They all do their job really well,” Charlie says of our faculty.
Senior class advisor Ms. V. says Charlie is a strong student.
“He always has been,” she says. “He takes great pride in his work. He enjoys showing me projects from other classes that he’s working on and telling me all about them.”
For his capstone project, a new addition to our curriculum this year that encourages students to apply their knowledge in a real-world context, Charlie is working with videographer Bill Stelzer to create a documentary.
“I’ve been interested in cinematography since fifth grade,” Charlie says.
After graduation, Charlie plans to attend the Iowa State University’s honors program where his major is undecided. He says he’d like to focus on cinematography, photography, and political science.
Charlie’s favorite memory during his time at GHS was Mr. D.’s wilderness survival minimester, when the group spent the night at Newfound Bay and had to forage and catch their own food. Charlie was a member of our varsity flag football team his junior year.
Charlie’s advice to next year’s senior class: “Do not procrastinate. If you need help with something, ask as many questions as you can. It’s the teachers’ and counselors’ job to help you.”
Upcoming Events
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT MEETINGS MAY 21
All parents are invited to the next Barracuda Booster parent meeting. Two meetings will be held to accommodate everyone's schedule. The meetings are set for Tuesday, May 21, at 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Upper Campus conference room. Those who can't attend in person can use this Zoom link with meeting ID 484 633 5633 and password McGuire.
RISING SIXTH GRADE PARENT MEETING MAY 22
Upper Campus Principal Ms. McGuire will host an optional meeting for parents of current fifth graders on Wednesday, May 22, at 5:00 p.m. in the Upper Campus conference room. Ms. McGuire will share details on aspects and experiences that are unique to the Upper Campus including advisory, electives, lockers, summer reading, minimesters, and more. Those who can't attend in person can use this Zoom link with meeting ID 484 633 5633 and password McGuire.
LOWER CAMPUS AWESOME AUTHORS TEA MAY 24
Families of students in grades kindergarten through 4 are invited to join us for a beloved annual tradition, the Awesome Authors Tea event, on Friday, May 24, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Your children will be excited to show off the bare books they've been working hard on. Parents are asked to bring a dish to share with the class. Parking for the event begins at 8:45 a.m. Additional parking will be available at the Upper Campus, with a shuttle to the Lower Campus starting at 8:30 a.m. Fifth grade families will get to see their child's bare book at the fifth grade promotion on Tuesday, June 4.
EIGHTH GRADE CELEBRATION MAY 24
Families of eighth grade students are invited to join us as we celebrate the achievements of Gifft Hill School's eighth grade class. We will host a special recognition ceremony and luncheon on Friday, May 24, at 10:45 a.m. at the Upper Campus patio.
Students will continue the tradition of dressing in our school colors, green and/or white, for the event. After the luncheon, students are welcome to join their families off campus to continue the celebration. Students who choose to stay at school will follow their regular class schedule.
LC AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS TO CONCLUDE MAY 30
The last day for after-school clubs will be Thursday, May 30. There will be no after-school clubs the last week of school, June 3-6.
SCHOOL BUS SERVICE TO CONCLUDE MAY 31
The last day for school bus service will be Friday, May 31. There will be no bus service for the last week of school, June 3-6. Please be sure to arrange alternate transportation for your child(ren)!
LOWER CAMPUS TALENT SHOW JUNE 6
We are excited to give our students the opportunity to share their talents with their peers at a Lower Campus talent show on June 6 at 9:30 a.m.! Families are welcome to attend.
GHS Highlights
SPORTS AWARDS
Kudos to our winter and spring athletes, who we recognized with an awards ceremony Thursday morning! Not only did they show great dedication to their sport(s), but they also put in the work in the classroom to keep their grades up so they could continue to participate. Extra special kudos to our middle school girls basketball team, which earned the title of IAA middle school girls basketball champions for the second year in a row! Go, 'Cudas!
LOWER CAMPUS ACADEMIC AWARDS
Kudos to our Lower Campus students who met their academic goals for the month of April! They were celebrated in a ceremony on Wednesday morning.
GHS SUMMER CAMP NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of sign-ups for our 2024 summer camp, hosted at the GHS Lower Campus by Ms. Melisa and Ms. Emma J. The camp will run Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from July 15 through August 9 with a different focus each week. Camp is open to all St. John children who are rising kindergarteners and older, and the cost is $250/week. Registration will continue as long as spaces are open, and we encourage parents to sign up as soon as possible to reserve your child’s spot! Please direct any questions to Ms. Emma J. at emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org. Here is the link to register your child: https://tinyurl.com/uezd6uaf
Sports Central
ATHLETES, PLEASE RETURN YOUR UNIFORMS!
Athletes whose seasons have ended should return their uniforms to Ms. Francis as soon as possible.
KUDOS TO OUR ELEMENTARY SOCCER TEAM!
Congratulations to our elementary soccer team, which finished the season in third place! Kudos to Jahslynn Clendinen for scoring in the final playoff game. There will be one final practice/fun day for the elementary team on Monday.
KUDOS TO OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER TEAMS!
Congratulations to our middle school soccer teams, which played a great Green vs. White game yesterday! Green won with a score of 4-1. Goals for Green were scored by Kallen Payne (2), Anais Craig, and Kyla Groetzinger; the White goal was scored by Colt Smith.
Kudos also to Ricardo Garcia-Sanchez who scored against All Saints and BCB, Knox Stone who scored against BCB, and Kyla Groetzinger who scored against BCB.
SOCCER GAME SCHEDULE
Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our Barracudas in their final week of competition. Here is the schedule for the coming week:
Middle school soccer
Thursday, 5/23, 3:45 p.m. - GHS Green vs. GHS White at Trayser Field
Varsity soccer
Friday, 5/17, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at IEKHS
Friday, 5/24, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSIA at IEKHS
FREE CHEERLEADING CLINIC MAY 21
All students in grades 5 through 11 are welcome to come out to a free cheerleading clinic on May 21 from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. at the Upper Campus. Participants will learn safe practices and progressions for crowd-leading stunts and pyramids with Coach B. Sneakers and appropriate athletic attire are required. No advanced sign-up is required.
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
UVI FREE ENTREPRENEUR BUSINESS INSTITUTE NOW ENROLLING
Registration is now open for the University of the Virgin Islands summer program, Entrepreneur Business Institute, to be held July 6-20. EBI is a free summer program for high school students throughout the territory who are interested in entrepreneurship.
Students will live on the St. Thomas campus for two weeks and will be provided the opportunity to enjoy a pre-college experience and learn about the advantages and challenges of entrepreneurship. Students will engage in team exercises to improve their team building and project management skills, and will experience mentorship from successful business leaders. Students will also participate in interactive discussions about concept development and business ownership.
Students will be given a minimum $250 stipend upon completion of the program. The application deadline is May 31. Click here to sign up.
VINP YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 22
The Virgin Islands National Park is looking for great young people to join their crew this summer. Residents of St. Thomas and St. John between the ages of 15 and 18 are invited to apply for summer employment with the Youth Conservation Corps. The program runs June 10 to July 26. The crew will work 32 hours a week for $15 per hour. Applications can be found by clicking this link or picked up in person at the Visitor's Center in Cruz Bay. Applications are due May 22 and should be emailed to Janice Williams at janice_williams@nps.gov or mailed to Cruz Bay Visitor Center, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830.
NOAA YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS FELLOWSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the launch of its NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship application for the 2024-2025 school year.
The program is designed for current high school students who are passionate about the environment, climate, ocean, Great Lakes, and/or coasts. Program participants receive mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and financial resources to design and lead an action project in their own community. They also learn about and share their perspectives on NOAA priorities, helping to inform the decisions that NOAA leaders make. Full participation comes with an $800 stipend and paid travel to Washington, D.C., for a kick-off summit in July 2024.
Click here for more information. Applications are due June 10.
AEROSPACE CAREER EDUCATION ACADEMY TO RETURN TO THE V.I. THIS SUMMER
We are very excited to announce that GHS alum Makeda Dawson will once again bring the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals’ Aerospace Career Education Academy to the Virgin Islands this summer. The ACE Academy will take place Sunday, June 23 to Friday, June 28 on St. Thomas and the cost is $150. The program is open to students ages 13 to 18 and the registration deadline is June 11. Taxi and ferry transportation will be provided for St. John students.
While pursuing her career as a commercial pilot at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Makeda says she realized that GHS faculty helped set her up for success by encouraging her to take high-level courses in subjects like physics and math during high school.
“I always wanted to give back to students and help someone else become a pilot,” says Makeda. “It’s difficult for students on St. John to envision themselves in an aviation role because there is no airport. Now, I feel like kids can look at me and say, ‘Okay, if she can do it, I can do it too.’”
Ninth grader Bannon Beaty, who participated in the ACE Academy last summer, says he really enjoyed the experience.
“We learned a lot about how planes fly and what lift and drag are,” says Bannon. “I was surprised when we got into a plane and started flying and they said, ‘Here, take the controls.’ I would recommend ACE Academy to others because it’s a really cool experience. I can now say that I’ve flown a plane and not a lot of people get to do that.”
Click here to learn more about the program or to apply. Registration ends June 11 but may end sooner if the program is full.
UVI PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING CAMP NOW ENROLLING
The University of the Virgin Islands will host a physics and engineering camp for rising ninth to twelfth graders June 23-29 at the St. Thomas UVI campus. Participants will gain an understanding of the engineering process, engineering careers, and how UVI can help them prepare for those careers. Food and housing will be provided for all participants. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and must submit a 250-word essay describing their reason for participating, as well as a one-minute video on which STEM pathway they are interested in (bio, chem, physics). Applicants must also provide a letter of recommendation from an academic reference and submit a survey that can be found by clicking here. The full application packet should be submitted in a single email to christina.chanes@uvi.edu.
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