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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of October 30, 2026
Student Spotlight
Second grader Shaii Clendinen has been part of the GHS community since she started in our toddler program. Second grade teacher Ms. Liz describes Shaii as exceptionally smart, creative, and hardworking.
“She has a deep passion for reading and writing, and is always excited to dive into a new book or craft marvelous stories of her own,” says Ms. Liz. “Shaii has a helpful nature and a kind heart, making her a fantastic classmate. She brightens our classroom.”
Shaii says Ms. Liz is “really nice,” and she appreciates the way her teacher has taught her mindfulness techniques. Shaii says she’s passed that lesson on to the pre-K students she’s worked with during second grade and pre-K’s time together as buddies.
“Shaii embraces all of her classmates; they’re one big family,” says Ms. Liz. “She’s good at expressing her thoughts and feelings. Her friends turn to her for comfort and she’s always willing to give them a hug and encouragement.”
Shaii says she enjoys expressing her feelings through writing, and fairy tales are her favorite books to read. STEAM is her favorite special because she likes to paint, and she also enjoys free play during PE.
Outside of school, Shaii takes ballet and gymnastics lessons at the St. John School of the Arts. In her free time, she enjoys playing Roblox and going to the beach where she does handstands and snorkels.
Upcoming Events
MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL DANCE NOVEMBER 6
GHS middle schoolers are invited to our middle school fall dance, hosted by student council, on Friday, November 6, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Upper Campus. There will be activities including limbo, musical chairs, and a best dressed competition, and pizza will be served. Formal attire is encouraged. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from a student council rep or at the door.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS COOKBOOK DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 6
The Barracuda Boosters Parent Association's fundraising cookbook project deadline has been extended to November 6. Please scan the QR code or click here to submit your recipe, email your recipe to ghsrecipes@gmail.com, or stop by either campus's front office to pick up a paper form to fill out.
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PHOTOSHOOT FUNDRAISER
The Barracuda Boosters Parent Association invites you to a friends and family photoshoot on Thursday, November 12, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Frank Bay Beach. Mini sessions are offered at a suggested donation of $40. All proceeds will fund the Barracuda Boosters, which hosts holiday craft fairs, teacher appreciation efforts, and more.
GHS GIVES BACK DAY NOVEMBER 11
We are gearing up for Gifft Hill School Gives Back Day on Wednesday, November 11. At this beloved annual event, all of our students will give back to the community that supports GHS through various activities, from hosting the island's seniors for songs, crafts, and fellowship to litter cleanups to raising money for local nonprofits. Here are a few key reminders for this day:
There will be no buses
All students should be dropped off at the Upper Campus on the morning of November 11 for our all-school picture on Trayser Field
There will be no after-school clubs or activities at either campus
GHS EVENT IN BOSTON DECEMBER 4
Do you have friends or family in the Boston area? Please encourage them to consider attending our Sip, Support, and Celebrate event at Row 34 on Friday, December 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. They'll enjoy beer, wine, and appetizers plus a cash bar for cocktails, as well as the company of other St. John enthusiasts. Here is the link with more information and to purchase tickets.
GHS Highlights
LOWER CAMPUS HALLOWEEN
Halloween at the Lower Campus was celebrated in true GHS fashion, starting with our beloved costume parade. The fun continued with games and crafts hosted by the Barracuda Boosters Parent Association. Thank you to everyone who helped our students have a fun and spooky day!
UPPER CAMPUS HALLOWEEN
Halloween fun at the Upper Campus was hosted by student council. From a costume contest to trivia to a haunted house, there was no shortage of spooky fun and school spirit. Thank you, student council!
KUDOS TO OUR TRICK OR TROT RUNNERS!
We'd like to congratulate everyone who came out to our Trick or Trot race event last weekend. Kudos to Lana Prudhomme for winning the half-mile mini-monster dash with a time of 4:50, to Atherton Baranowski for winning the mile-and-a-half Trick or Trot race with a time of 11:42, and to Aksel Tarr for being the first GHS student to finish the Trick or Trot race with a time of 12:59.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR ATHLETES!
Cross Country
Kudos to our cross country runners for another great meet this week! Times are below:
Harper Neil 7:03Banks Batten 7:31
Aksel Tarr 7:32
Greer McCoy 8:58
Empress Caesar 9:00Jayce St. John 9:20Orin Caesar 11:20
Middle School Girls Volleyball
Shout out to Jahslynn Clendinen, '32, for her energy and skills and to Madelynn Boquette, '33, for her serves.
Varsity Girls Volleyball
Congratulations to our varsity girls volleyball team for winning against IEKHS this week! Shout out to Renique Prentice, '27, Joseanny Baez, '29, and Marissa Fleming, '29, on their great defense.
CROSS COUNTRY MEET THIS WEEK
Our cross country team has a regular season meet in the coming week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Thursday, November 5, 3:30 p.m. - IEKHS track
ALL-STAR FLAG FOOTBALL GAME THIS WEEK
Kudos to Corbin Jacobson, '33, Jahmal Clendinen, '33, Rollie Simmons, '32, Naudy Castillo, '31, Tafari Cazaubon, '31, and Aliaune Samuel, '31, for being selected to play in the all-star flag football game! Details are below.
Monday, November 2, 6:00 p.m. - All-star game at Lionel Roberts Stadium
VOLLEYBALL GAMES THIS WEEK
Our volleyball teams have regular season games in the coming week. All games this week are at home. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Varsity Girls
Saturday, October 31, 12:15 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at GHS
Monday, November 2, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. All Saints at GHS
Varsity Boys
Saturday, October 31, 1:15 p.m. - GHS vs. IEKHS at GHS
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
MONGOOSE TRICK OR TREATING TODAY
Mongoose Junction will host trick or treating today from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
TRUNK OR TREAT TODAY
Trunk or Treat will take place at the Cruz Bay gravel lot on October 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their own treat bag. To add your car to the lineup, contact dana.neil@yahoo.com.
ELAINE I. SPRAUVE LIBRARY TO OPEN OCTOBER 31
The Elaine I. Sprauve Library will open on Saturday, October 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in their favorite costume for sweet treats, story time, face painting, balloon animals, scavenger hunts, and sign up for a library card.
JOHNNY LIME TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 31
Johnny Lime will host a trunk or treat event with food, drinks, live music, and more on Saturday, October 31, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. To sign up your car for trunk or treat, contact 340-228-4774.
FALL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 31
The Family Readiness Group will present a fall festival on October 31 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Leonard B. Francis Armory on St. Thomas. There will be candy stations, treats, games, music, and more. There is a $5 entry fee.
WORLD OCEAN SCHOOL WINTER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMER 1
World Ocean School is now accepting applications for the Winter Ambassador Program, which will welcome 18 high schools aboard the Denis Sullivan from December 27 to January 2. Sailing out and back from Christiansted, students will become part of the crew. They will learn seamanship skills, make new friends, and sail into the new year.
In order to be considered, students must apply here and complete this reference form. The application deadline is November 1.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY WITH ACC
The Animal Care Center of St. John is looking for volunteers for its spay/neuter event November 7 and 8 at Our Place in Coral Bay. Tasks would include carrying trapped cats from the staging area to the surgery prep area and monitoring cats as they wake up from anesthesia. The ACC is seeking three volunteers for each day. To indicate your interest, contact 340-774-1625 or info@stjacc.org.
PATHWAY TO PURPOSE YOUTH FINANCE SUMMIT NOVEMBER 7
Students in grades 8-12 are invited to take part in the Aliyah Boston Foundation and Parach Resource Management's Pathway to Purpose Youth Finance Summit on November 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports & Fitness Center on St. Thomas.
This free, one-day event is designed to help students build real-world money skills through games, activities, and hands-on simulations. Students will also enjoy an interactive lunch with Aliyah Boston, St. Thomas native and forward for the Indiana Fever. See flyer below for more details. Registration closes October 16.
FALL FEST NOVEMBER 14
The Pelican Post will host a fall fest on November 14 from noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Cruz Bay courtyard on St. John. For more information, contact 340-693-4535 or thepelicanpostvi@gmail.com.
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