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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of May 23
- andreamilam
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Student Spotlight
From now through the end of the year,
we’ll be shining a spotlight on each member of our Class of 2025.
Kevin De Leon joined the GHS community as a seventh grader. He’s shown immense growth during his time at GHS, says senior class advisor Mr. Bill. Kevin says he’s enjoyed GHS’s hands-on approach to teaching and learning.
“My favorite class this year was also the hardest: chemistry,” says Kevin. “It’s good to have experience doing hands-on labs and projects in chemistry and engineering, especially going into college.”
Kevin says he appreciates that “everyone has each other’s backs” at GHS.
“Everyone cares about each other,” he says. “Everyone is open-minded and the teachers sit down and listen to what you need. They also serve as mentors.”
Mr. Bill describes Kevin as “a chill operator who’s cool, calm, and collected in the classroom.”
“He’s very confident in his work and he is a confidant to his friends,” says Mr. Bill. “He’s such a sweet kid and so dependable. Kevin is a good self-advocate and a great big brother.”
The senior class advisor describes Kevin as having an “engineering mind,” which inspired his senior capstone project. Kevin has spent the last weeks of his time at GHS working with Caribbean Solar, learning electrical engineering and solar installation concepts.
Kevin says he’ll look back fondly on experiences like competing with the GHS varsity basketball team in St. Croix and collecting sedimentation samples along St. John shorelines, and he’ll miss how close everyone is at GHS.
During his time at GHS, Kevin has played varsity volleyball, middle school and varsity basketball, and middle school flag football. He’s also played with the St. John Force and St. Thomas Process basketball teams. Kevin was accepted to Florida Atlantic University, University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of the Virgin Islands. He will attend UVI with the intention of eventually transferring to the University of South Florida, where he wants to participate in the U.S. Air Force ROTC.
Upcoming Events
GRACE & GRATITUDE BRUNCH TOMORROW!
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 today.
Questions? Call Andrea at 340-776-1730 or email andreamilam@giffthillschool.org.
NO SCHOOL MONDAY
School will be closed on Monday, May 26, in honor of Memorial Day. We hope everyone enjoys a fun and restful long weekend!
CLASS OF 2025 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY SET FOR MAY 30
We will honor the Class of 2025 as they conclude their high school journey with a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 30, at 5:00 p.m. Graduation at GHS is more than a milestone — it is a heartfelt celebration of the school’s close-knit community and the meaningful relationships GHS teachers build with their students. This uplifting ceremony will honor the unique accomplishments of each graduate while inspiring hope for the future. Our commencement ceremony is open to the public.
LOWER CAMPUS END-OF-YEAR COUNTDOWN
Students at the Lower Campus will celebrate the approaching end of the school year with an end-of-year countdown starting Monday, June 2. Details are in the graphic below. All clothing must be school-appropriate.
ALL CLUBS TO END JUNE 6
Third trimester clubs at both the Lower and 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!
LOWER CAMPUS TALENT SHOW JUNE 11
Our Lower Campus talent show is set for June 11 at 9:00 a.m. Here's what students and parents need to know to help us prepare:
- Sign-ups can be done through your child's teacher. Students should start working on their act as soon as they're signed up.- The deadline to sign up and submit music if needed is May 23. Music submissions must be made to Ms. Rachael with an Apple Music or YouTube link.- Auditions will take place on May 28 to give Ms. Rachael a chance to screen the acts.- Dress rehearsal will be on June 10.
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 EIGHTH GRADE!
We celebrated our eighth grade class's impending move to high school with a thoughtful ceremony this morning. Afterwards, students gathered over a delicious meal by Keribbean Kulture Cuisine. Congratulations to our Class of 2029!
OUR AUTHORS ARE AWESOME!
Lower Campus students debuted their bare books — blank books students fill with original stories and illustrations, making for a wonderful keepsake — at this morning's Awesome Authors event. Thank you to all the families who came out, and we hope you enjoy all the hard work your students put in to their books!
KUDOS TO OUR RUNNERS!
We recognized our Lower Campus running club members at our Lower Campus assembly on Wednesday. Congratulations to our running club participants for their perseverance, stamina, and great attitude!
GHS HAS EARNED RE-ACCREDITATION
We are delighted to share the exciting news that Gifft Hill School has been officially re-accredited by the Middle States Association through July 1, 2032! Accreditation affirms that Gifft Hill School meets high standards of educational excellence, leadership, and student support. For our students, it means being part of a school that is deeply committed to continuous improvement and preparing students for meaningful success, here on St. John and wherever their journeys may lead.
The Middle States Association Visiting Team summarized their findings by celebrating:
“A culture where all students can grow academically and emotionally.”
“A strategic vision that aligns deeply with Gifft Hill’s mission and values.”
“Staff and students alike expressed deep enthusiasm, loyalty, and pride in their school.”
This achievement is a proud moment for our entire community, and a reflection of the love, effort, and belief we all pour into Gifft Hill School every day. Read the MSA Visiting Team's full report here: https://tinyurl.com/mrybwfws
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
All high school students must earn 25 hours of community service per year. Those who are unsure about how many hours they have should contact Ms. V. There are two opportunities coming up for students who need to earn more hours for the year:
GHS Farm to Table Brunch Event, Saturday, May 24: Contact Ms. V. or Chef Parris if you would like to participate in this event in either Front or Back of House.
Beach to Beach Power Swim, Sunday, May 25: Contact Friends of VINP's Membership and Events Coordinator Jennifer Stone at jstone@friendsvinp.org to sign up.
Sports Central
ELEMENTARY SOCCER TEAM FINISHES THIRD IN THE LEAGUE!
Congratulations to our elementary soccer team which finished the season at third place in the IAA STT/STJ Middle School Soccer League!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM FINISHES SECOND IN THE LEAGUE!
Congratulations to our middle school soccer team which finished the season at second place in the IAA STT/STJ Middle School Soccer League! Although they lost to All Saints/VIMSIA on Tuesday, kudos go out to Knox Stone, '30, who scored two goals with assists by Colt Smith, '30, and Ricardo Garcia Sanchez, '30, and to Kallen Payne, '29, who scored one goal. The middle school team lost to Antilles on Wednesday, and kudos go out to Knox Stone, '30, who scored one goal with an assist by Colt Smith, '30, and to Giuliana Germain, '30, who scored one goal with an assist by Ricardo Garcia Sanchez, '30.
RUNNING CLUB TRAILBLAZERS RACE NOW SET FOR MAY 31
Running club's trailblazers race will now be held Saturday, May 31, at 7:00 a.m. Registration is at 6:45 a.m. with a post-race party from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The route will follow the Lind Point loop starting and finishing at the VINP visitors center, with runners going around the hill rather than up the stairs. Runners will sign waivers and St. John Rescue will be on call. Please click here to register. The last running club practice will take place May 27.
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
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR POWER SWIM MAY 25
Volunteers are needed for the Friends of VINP Joe Kessler's Beach to Beach Power Swim on Sunday, May 25. Volunteers can help on land with beach setup, registration, timing, and lunch/prizegiving, or on the water in boats, kayaks and SUPs. Anyone interested in helping should contact Jennifer Stone at jstone@friendsvinp.org. High school students who volunteer will earn community service hours.
PARENTING, HEALTH, AND LITERACY WORKSHOP MAY 25
First-time parents of infants and toddlers are invited to attend a parenting, health, and literacy workshop on Saturday, May 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Beyond Vision Foundation Inc. in Nisky Center. Admission to this event is free but space is limited and attendees should RSVP to Ms. Thomas at 340-201-9701 or to Ms. Callwood at 340-344-8754.
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.
SUMMIT STEM FELLOWSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Summit STEM Fellowship is a virtual summer fellowship empowering the next generation of leaders in STEM. Open to rising 9th-12th grade students, the fellowship aims to identify top students around the world and connect them with mentors from Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and other top institutions, to explore different opportunities and career pathways in STEM. The fellowship is a flexible 10-15 hours/week commitment, allowing students to participate alongside other summer activities. Two sessions are offered: June 23-July 11 and July 14-August 1. The fee is $875 and financial aid is available. Admissions are rolling, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. For more information and the program application, please visit www.summitstemfellowship.org. For questions, please email info@summitstemfellowship.org.
UVI ENTREPRENEUR BUSINESS INSTITUTE TAKING APPLICATIONS UNTIL MAY 30
The University of the Virgin Islands' Entrepreneur Business Institute is a free summer program for rising tenth graders through 12th graders that will take place July 6-19. Students will live on campus for two weeks and will be provided with the opportunity to enjoy a pre-college experience and learn about the challenges and advantages 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. Participants will receive a $250 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Scan the flyer's QR code for more information or to apply.
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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