.png)
Barracuda Bulletin: Week of October 3, 2025
- andreamilam
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
Student Spotlight
Ninth grader Joseanny Baez is new to Gifft Hill School this year. She’s making a remarkable first impression, says ninth grade class advisor Ms. V.
“She’s hitting the mark,” says Ms. V. “Every time I see her, she’s working on something. She’s quick to advocate for herself and she’s setting a tone for her classmates.”
Ninth grade gained several new students this year, and Ms. V. says Joseanny has taken the lead in ensuring the class stays united.
Joseanny says she’s enjoyed her first month as a Barracuda.
“From the beginning, the teachers and students were very nice to me,” says Joseanny. “Ms. V. is always trying to help me, and Mr. D. is very nice.”
Joseanny is working hard to get all As, inspired by her mom who “is always reminding me how smart I am and that I can achieve things if I really want to,” she says.
Joseanny is a member of our varsity girls volleyball team, and she says she appreciates how supportive her coaches are. In her free time, Joseanny enjoys playing volleyball with her sister and having friends over.
Upcoming Events
IN-SCHOOL PSAT/SAT OCTOBER 8
On Wednesday, October 8, eleventh graders will take the PSAT and twelfth graders will take the SAT at GHS during the school day. The test will begin at 8:30 a.m. The first part will last 64 minutes and the second part will last 70 minutes. Students will be given a 10-minute break in between. Parents, you can help your child do well on the test by ensuring they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school before 8:15 a.m. as usual.
The test is digital and adaptive, meaning the difficulty adjusts based on student performance in earlier sections. Although many colleges no longer require students to submit their SAT scores, strong scores can still help boost college applications or help with scholarships.
For students who'd like to do some preparation ahead of time, the following link will take you to the full-length practice test. This link also has some helpful information.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Upper Campus Principal Heather McGuire with any questions at heathermcguire@giffthillschool.org.
UPCOMING UC STUDENT ORGANIZATION EVENTS
In-school events will be hosted by our various Upper Campus student organizations in the coming weeks. Here's what is coming up:
Thursday, October 9, fifth and sixth period in the downstairs café: IDEA Club will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. All students are welcome to enjoy food and music representative of Hispanic culture.
Friday, October 10, during lunch in the downstairs café: Lasagna sale benefiting the Class of 2026 senior trip fundraiser
Tuesday, October 14: Student council invites students to wear pink to school in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Donations for the privilege of dressing down are not necessary but are appreciated. All funds raised will be donated to the St. John Cancer Fund.
Friday, October 17, during lunch: Student council bake sale benefiting the St. John Cancer Fund.
FARM TO TABLE DINNER OCTOBER 23
Join us for our first Farm to Table dinner of the 2025-2026 school year and see why guests call our dinners "the best restaurant on St. John!" This dinner will bring the flavors of New Orleans to St. John with wine pairings from Island Hope Wines. Our Farm to Table dinners are run by our students. Enjoy dishes from our culinary class which showcases fresh, seasonal produce grown in our gardens and ethically, sustainably sourced proteins on the menu. Experience exceptional service from our select group of students. Seats are limited! Click here to purchase your tickets today.
GHS Highlights
NHS INDUCTION
Big congratulations to our National Honor Society inductees, who we celebrated with a ceremony on Thursday morning at the Upper Campus. In order to be considered for this prestigious honor, students must have a strong GPA and meet criteria across the organization's four pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Kudos to our new NHS members, all part of the Class of 2028: Bobbi Otto, Nhtalya Jacobs, Anais Craig, Kenzey O'Donnell, Nathaniel Peters, Jayson Richards, Zoe Williamson, and Cai Sutton-Charlemagne.
LOWER CAMPUS ACADEMIC AWARDS
Kudos to our Lower Campus students for starting the year off right by meeting their September math and reading goals! Each monthly goal achieved results in a new tag added to the students' necklaces. By the end of the year, these necklaces are sure to be laden with accomplishment.
UPPER CAMPUS BUS SAFETY
Upper Campus parents, we are asking for your cooperation in keeping our Upper Campus bus riders safe as they board the bus each afternoon. When the bus is parked in the circle with its door open to allow students to board, please do not drive past the bus. You may continue through the circle once the bus has closed its door and departed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us ensure the safety of all students.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAMS!
Congratulations to our varsity girls volleyball team which won against Sts. Peter & Paul this week! Special shout-out to Renique Prentice, '27, and Nyimah Jacobs, '26, on their strikes and Gleidy Castillo Caraballo, '26, on her serves.
Congratulations also goes out to our varsity boys volleyball team which won against VIMSIA this week! Special shout-out to Li'Undray Dagou, '28, and Angel Perez, '26, on their serves and Kadeem Thomas, '26, on his defense.
SPORTS COMPETITIONS THIS WEEK
Our volleyball, flag football, and cross country teams all have competitions in the coming weeks. Home games are denoted with an asterisk. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Cross Country
Thursday, October 9, 3:30 pm. - location TBD
Middle School Girls Volleyball
Saturday, October 4, 12:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Canes at BCB
Wednesday, October 8, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Hurricanes at Antilles
Varsity Girls Volleyball
Saturday, October 4, 11:00 a.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at IEKHS
Monday, October 6, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at IEKHS
Varsity Boys Volleyball
Friday, October 3, 4:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at Trayser Field
Saturday, October 4, 2:45 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles at IEKHS
Monday, October 6, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Trayser Field
Tuesday, October 7, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at Trayser Field
Flag Football
Thursday, October 9, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at Trayser Field
TRICK OR TROT RACE OCTOBER 26
Gifft Hill School's running club will host a Trick or Trot kids' race on Sunday, October 26, at 5:00 p.m. in Fish Bay. Runners will complete a two-mile course. Runners age 4 and under will participate in a "Mini Monster Dash." A $10 donation to GHS for participation in the race is appreciated! Please see flyer below for registration information. High schoolers are invited to earn community service hours by volunteering at this event. Contact emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org with any questions.
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
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MARCH & VIGIL
The Family Resource Center will host a Domestic Violence March & Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. in Cruz Bay. This event is open to the public.
OCEAN WEEK BEACH CLEANUP
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park will host a beach clean-up in honor of Ocean Week on Saturday, October 18, at 9:00 a.m. at Drunk Bay. Volunteer should meet in the Salt Pond parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and the cleanup is expected to be completed by noon. It's recommended that volunteers wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection and water. Friends will provide bags and gloves. High schoolers who volunteer will receive five hours of community service.
TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 31
Trunk or Treat will take place on Friday, October 31, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the gravel lot in Cruz Bay. Kids of all ages are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up to include your trunk in this event, email dana.neil@yahoo.com. Donations of cash or candy for the event can be dropped off at the Dr. Cool or Cruz Bay Watersports office, both at Palm Plaza.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY NOVEMBER 9
High school students have the opportunity to earn community service hours by volunteering with the Animal Care Center of St. John's spay/neuter event on Saturday, November 9, at Our Place in Coral Bay. There are six openings for students to volunteer from around 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. cleaning and disinfecting the surgery space, as well as breaking down tables and chairs and resetting the area. Two adults will be supervising. Those interested should contact Robyn Payne at 340-774-1625 or info@stjacc.org.
Comments