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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of May 22, 2026
- andreamilam
- 2 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.
Bret Strain joined the GHS community in 10th grade. He says he appreciates how approachable our teachers are.
“You can sit down with a teacher for lunch, which is something I haven’t seen at any other school I’ve been to,” says Bret. “You can talk to the teachers about anything. It’s easy to have personal discussions with them.”
Bret’s teachers say he integrated well into the Class of 2026 and brings his sense of individuality to GHS.
“When Bret was in 10th grade, he was able to hold his own with the seniors in physics class,” says Upper Campus science teacher Mr. Bill. “He was the only underclassman but he was able to keep up with the work, ask great questions, conceptualize the big ideas, and push the classroom discourse forward. Then I had him in engineering as a junior, where he produced excellent prototypes. The areas where shines academically are scientific writing and lab reports, and his presentation skills. He's able to get his point across in an effective, clear, concise way.”
Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida describes Bret as quiet and laid-back.
“He’s very funny, and he’s a great artist,” says Ms. Rashida. “Art is where he shines. He’s stepped out of his shell since he arrived in 10th grade.”
Bret has enjoyed exploring his creative side through our high school electives and STEAM Week offerings.
“All the artistic options were the most fun, including theater for STEAM Week,” says Bret. “The personal relationships we have with our teachers allows for better connection, which helped me progress through learning how to do different types of art and expression.”
Bret is exploring an interest in software engineering 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 GHS’s IT team along with Love IT.
“I’d like to design a video game and the story behind it,” says Bret. “I’ve been interested in the software engineering field for a really long time. The teachers have shown genuine interest in my storywriting for my game.”
After graduation, Bret plans to enter the workforce with the goal of supporting his pursuit of a career in the game design field.
Outside of school, Bret works at Greengo’s and has volunteered at the Animal Care Center of St. John.
Bret says he will miss “the community, having everyone know my name and greet me and talk to me every single day.”
Kadeem Thomas, Jr. joined the GHS community in ninth grade. He says he appreciates how supportive our teachers are.
“Every teacher wants to make sure you do your work,” he says. “They encourage you because they want you to pass. My teachers pushed me to get better grades.”
Kadeem’s teachers say he’s a calming presence, while his classmates and underclassmen highlight his sense of humor.
“He’s great at lifting his classmates’ spirits and helping them stay in a light mood,” says senior class advisor Ms. Rashida.
“He has such a strong passion for trucks,” says Upper Campus math teacher Ms. S. “Every project he’s ever done has been about trucks, but he tailors it in a way that expands his horizons. His gingerbread build was a model truck that worked. It’s impressive to see him having that passion from such a young age and sticking with it and finding ways to expand it.”
Kadeem has developed a love of cooking through our high school electives and STEAM Week experiences.
“I’ve been in the kitchen from young, but Chef La’Shanda and Chef Parris taught me how to properly cook food,” says Kadeem. “I liked the outdoor cooking STEAM Week because it was my first time cooking on a smoker and it was a lot of fun. We learned how to put the smoker together and take it apart, and about the different temperatures each meat should be at when it’s cooked.”
Kadeem is exploring his interest in diesel mechanics 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 in Low Key Watersports’ maintenance yard. Kadeem plans to attend Universal Technical Institute in Houston, where he’ll dive deeper into his passion for trucks by studying diesel mechanical engineering.
“From the time I was young, I’ve always been in the yard with my pops and my uncle doing engine work,” says Kadeem.
Kadeem has been a member of our basketball, flag football, and volleyball teams, as well as a member of our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club. Outside of school, Kadeem works with his father and uncle in the water and dump truck business and he helps his grandmother at her restaurant, Nella’s Lounge. He also plays for the Island Mix volleyball team and will soon join the Virgin Islands national volleyball team.
Kadeem says he will miss playing volleyball, a sport he’s grown to love during his years here, for the GHS team.
Upcoming Events
COMING UP NEXT
May 23: Grace & Gratitude Brunch
May 25: Memorial Day, school closed
May 29: Class of 2026 commencement ceremony
May 30: Youth Trailblazers Race
June 2: Rising sixth grade parent orientation
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
SCHOOL CLOSED MONDAY
Gifft Hill School will be closed on Monday, May 25 in honor of the Memorial Day holiday. We hope everyone enjoys a relaxing long weekend.
CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY MAY 29
The Class of 2026 will graduate from Gifft Hill School on Friday, May 29, at 5:00 p.m. at Trayser Field. This event is free and open to the community. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Please note that in order to create an atmosphere that is meaningful, respectful, and focused on our Class of 2026, air horns, fog horns, bull horns, and similar noise-making devices are prohibited at the event.
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.
END OF SCHOOL BEACH DAY JUNE 9
All GHS families are invited to our end of school beach day, hosted by the Barracuda Boosters Parent Association on Tuesday, June 9, from 9:30 am. to 12:30 p.m. at Oppenheimer Beach. Fruit, veggies, pastries, and water will be provided and pot luck items are encouraged. Families are also invited to bring gently used GHS uniforms to swap out with other families.
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
LOWER CAMPUS AWESOME AUTHORS
We'd like to thank all our Lower Campus parents who came out for our Awesome Authors event Friday morning, when students showed off the bare books they've been hard at work creating. Bare books are a celebration of the many skills students build throughout the school year. Each bare book is a reflection of students’ growth, imagination, and hard work, and a special keepsake that our families treasure for years to come.
EIGHTH GRADE CELEBRATION
We marked the close of our eighth graders’ middle school journey with a special celebration Friday morning honoring the unique talents and contributions each student brings to their class community. Thank you to the families who joined us to celebrate this milestone. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to our eighth graders as they prepare to begin the exciting next chapter of their high school careers!
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 TO OUR SAILING TEAM!
Congratulations to sailors Bannon Beaty, Anais Craig, Elena Magnie, Audie Weaver, and Zach Wilson for their great showing in the BVI Dinghy Championships last weekend! After competing in 10 races over two days, all of our sailors ended up with at least one top-three finish. Anais won overall, with first place finishes in six out of 10 races, and Zach finished in third overall.
"They all sailed so well, and we earned a lot of respect in the BVI for what we did this past weekend," says Coach Sam.
Our team's participation in this competition was facilitated by many who helped along the way, including Fred Trayser, Richard and Mary Burks, Reef 2 Peak, and Horizon Yacht Charters.
Thanks to everyone who helped our sailors compete this weekend and go, '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
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.
REICHHOLD CENTER FOR THE ARTS YOUTH MOVIE MAKING WORKSHOP APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 29
The Reichhold Center for the Arts invites youth ages 11-16 to participate in a youth movie-making workshop from June 8 to July 25. Apply at www.uvi.edu/reichhold or call 340-693-1552 for more information.
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.
FREE DOH PHYSICALS AND VACCINATIONS JUNE 23-25
The V.I. Department of Health will offer free back-to-school physicals and vaccinations for children ages 4 and up June 23-25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Morris F. DeCastro Clinic in Cruz Bay. See flyer 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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