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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of May 29, 2026
- andreamilam
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Senior Spotlights
From now through the end of the year,
we'll be shining the spotlight on our Class of 2026.
Eibony Torres Cordero joined the GHS community in ninth grade. She says she appreciates the way our teachers help their students in every way they can.
“They really get to know you and give you all the help you need,” says Eibony. “I grew so much in English and in math because of the help I received.”
Eibony’s teachers say she’s down to earth and quick to adapt to any scenario.
“She really blossomed in Farm to Table, then went on to become secretary for National Honor Society and student council,” says Upper Campus math teacher Ms. Veronica. “She also saw a purpose for her skillset in our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club. She’s very quick to try and help.”
“She’s so determined to fully understand the material,” Ms. Veronica continues. “She sees things through. Her classmates come to her for gentle comic relief and she’s a good point of consolation. They look to her because she’s always got a smile or a joke to tell.”
Senior class advisor Ms. Rashida adds that Eibony always takes pride in her work.
Eibony has explored her creativity while learning new skills in our high school electives and STEAM Week offerings.
“Ceramics was my favorite elective because I enjoyed the freedom of getting to create what I wanted,” says Eibony. “My favorite STEAM Week activity was survival with Ms. Emma and Mr. Bill. I really enjoyed it because they made every activity, from cooking and putting up a tent to using a compass and building a fire, fun to do.”
Eibony explored her interest in health care 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 Island Health & Wellness. She learned to take vitals and draw blood while sitting in on patient exams.
“I’m really excited for it because it’s what I can see myself doing in the future,” Eibony said prior to the start of her capstone.
After graduation, Eibony plans to attend University of North Florida where she’ll major in nursing with the goal of pursuing a career in health care.
Eibony has been a member of our volleyball, softball, and cross country teams. She’s also a member of IDEA Club, student council, NHS, cheerleading club, and cooking club.
Outside of school, she plays tenor pan with the Love City Pan Dragons and participated in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel youth group. She’s worked at Hillside Terrace and Johnny Lime, and spent summers working with the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park trail maintenance crew.
Eibony says she will miss spending time with her classmates as well as friends, family, and the island of St. John.
Taila Williams joined the GHS community in her eighth grade year. She says she appreciates that our teachers “meet you where you’re at.”
“They come to you on a personal level,” says Taila. “They try to learn your learning style and use that to help you learn better.”
Taila’s teachers say she is the epitome of perseverance and that she isn’t afraid to fail.
“She just keeps trying, and that’s so refreshing,” says Upper Campus science teacher Mr. Bill. “Taila is a consistent force who shows up daily with a level-headed mindset and a willingness to work with anyone. When faced with a challenge, she takes the time to evaluate the situation, advocate for herself, and persevere.”
“Taila has a strong sense of self; she knows who she is,” says senior class advisor Ms. Rashida. “She’s someone her classmates can lean on in a moment of need.”
Taila explored her creativity through our high school electives and STEAM Week offerings.
“I enjoyed designing the space and making it look pretty for the Farm to Table dinners,” says Taila, who led the design for our southern comfort and Asian-themed dinners. “I also liked kayaking in Francis Bay for STEAM Week, that was a good one.”
Taila’s interest in design led to her pairing with architect and interior designer Sabrina Castle for 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. Prior to her experience, Taila said she was excited to learn about the interior design field and whether it’s a path she would like to pursue. Now that her capstone is complete, Taila reports that interior design is indeed the direction she’d like to take.
After graduation, Taila plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands before transferring to the Savannah College of Art & Design to study interior design.
“Interior design is something I’ve always been interested in since I was young,” she says. “I thought it wasn’t achievable but my experiences at GHS helped me realize that I can do it.”
Taila has been a member of our cross country and volleyball teams as well as national Honor Society, student council, running club, cooking club, and our Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club.
Outside of school, Taila works with her dad’s business, Love City Plumbing, helping with taxes and invoices. She worked for the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park trail crew and has also helped with the Caribbean Oceanic Restoration and Education Foundation, and she regularly plays the piano for her church.
Taila says she will miss designing our Farm to Table dinners and playing with the GHS volleyball team.
Upcoming Events
COMING UP NEXT
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
CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY THIS EVENING
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 THIS SATURDAY
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.
LOWER CAMPUS MAY ACADEMIC AWARDS / KINDERGARTEN PROMOTION JUNE 3
The next and final Lower Campus academic awards assembly is set for Wednesday, June 3, at 8:45 a.m., when we'll award our Lower Campus students who met their May academic goals at the Lower Campus great room. Parents and guardians of kindergarten students, who will celebrate their promotion to first grade, are welcome to attend in person, as are parents and guardians of students who will be receiving reading and math awards. 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.
UPPER CAMPUS FINAL EXAMS JUNE 4-8
Upper Campus final exams will take place on Thursday, June 4, Friday, June 5, and Monday, June 8. Upper Campus students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. on these days and there will be bus service.
Students will take two exams on Thursday and Friday, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a half-hour snack break in between. On Monday, students will take one exam then use the rest of the time to clean out their lockers, prepare for summer reading, and take care of other end-of-year tasks.
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 END-OF-YEAR COUNTDOWN
Our Lower Campus students have had a great time counting down to the end of the school year with themed days this week. Students put their all into mismatched day, crazy hair, class theme, and dress like a teacher this week! Next week's schedule is as follows:
Monday: Dress for a career
Tuesday: Crazy socks
Wednesday: Sports day
Thursday: Fancy dress day
Friday: PJ day
CAPSTONE SITE VISITS
Our seniors wrapped up their capstone experiences this week with visits to each student's workplace, where they shared what they'd learned and in some cases, demonstrated new skills. We are incredibly grateful to the community partners who opened their doors to our students, giving them experience in the professional sector that most closely aligns with their interests:
Caribbean Solar Company
Cassandra Moore
Emma Johnson, Gifft Hill School PE Teacher
Island Health & Wellness
Gifft Hill School Early Learning Center
Gifft Hill School IT Team
Lime Out
Low Key Watersports
Love IT
Sabrina Castle
Virgin Islands National Park
V.I. Office of the Lieutenant Governor
V.I. Water & Power Authority
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
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.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
REICHHOLD CENTER FOR THE ARTS YOUTH MOVIE MAKING WORKSHOP APPLICATION DEADLINE TODAY
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.
UVI SUMMER CAMP NOW ENROLLING
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.
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.
PLAY LIKE A GIRL LEADERSHIP LAB JULY 7-24
The Play Like a Girl AI Leadership Lab is a free, virtual summer program for 8th and 9th grade girls. Over three weekly sessions, girls work in small mentor-led teams to explore AI, design a real solution to a challenge facing girls in STEM, and present their work at a live showcase. Participants will join a small team of girls and two women mentors, explore how AI is shaping careers and industries, design an AI-powered solution to a real problem, and present at the final AI for Good Showcase and compete for prizes. GHS's own coach Emma is serving as a volunteer to launch and design the program and will oversee a small group. Click here for more information or to register.
Community Corner: News You Can Use
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.
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