Carni-Fall 2024 a Vibrant Success! (PHOTOS)

Over 375 Guests Enjoy a Night of Celebration, Community, and Support

October 23, 2024 – St. Thomas, VI

The Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) celebrated its highly anticipated annual Carni-Fall fundraiser on October 19, 2024, at the stunning Coral World Ocean Park. The event brought together a vibrant crowd of 375 guests for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, community spirit, and support for VIMSIA’s mission.

View all photos from Carni-Fall here.

Led by Marketing Director Vernon Araujo and Assistant Marketing Director Leah Trotman, this year’s Carni-Fall exceeded all expectations, raising essential funds for VIMSIA’s Annual Fund. These contributions will help sustain the school’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education for students in the Virgin Islands.

The evening featured live performances from Top Notch Band and JUCE, along with culinary delights from Island Edge Culinary. Families were thrilled by the school's own mocko jumbies and enjoyed browsing a lively selection of vendor booths, which added to the festive atmosphere.

“We are deeply grateful to Coral World for generously hosting our event at such a beautiful venue,” said Vernon Araujo, VIMSIA’s Marketing Director. “The overwhelming support we received at this year’s Carni-Fall was heartwarming. It was a fantastic way to kick off the year, and the success of this event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, generous sponsors, and the invaluable partnership we have with Coral World. These funds will directly support our mission, furthering the impact we make on our students and the greater community."

A special thank you goes to the event’s sponsors: The Anasetti Family, 340 Real Estate Company, First Bank, Lime Out, E & J Trucking, Coral World Ocean Park, Island Edge Culinary, CC1, Mandahl Market, West Indies Company, Leatherback Brewing Company, Margaritaville, and Ricky James Sr. Taxi Service, whose support was instrumental in the event’s success.

Proceeds from Carni-Fall will directly fund teacher training, maintain VIMSIA’s high standards of academic excellence, and enhance community outreach initiatives, ensuring that the school continues to provide its renowned “Education for Life” programs. These efforts make independent school education more accessible and affordable for families across the Virgin Islands.

Building on this year’s success, the VIMSIA team is already planning next year’s Carni-Fall, with exciting plans to expand vendor offerings and introduce more engaging activities for an even more memorable experience.

For more information about VIMSIA, the Annual Fund, or how to get involved in future events, please visit https://givebutter.com/VIMSIA or contact Vernon at vernon@vimsia.org.

Be sure to mark your calendars for our next major event, Las Vegas Night, on December 7, 2024, at Sapphire Beach Club from 7 PM to midnight. Tickets can be purchased at https://givebutter.com/LVN2024.

About VIMSIA

The Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) is a non-profit, independent school located in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. VIMSIA offers an inclusive, innovative, and globally focused education for students from preschool through high school. The school’s mission is to nurture global citizens through a Montessori-based curriculum that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.

Annual Fund Drive: Supporting VI Montessori’s 60th Anniversary Celebration!

Annual Fund Drive: Supporting VI Montessori’s 60th Anniversary Celebration!

With just two months left in our academic journey this year, we're reaching out to you with a heartfelt plea: consider making a difference by contributing to our Annual Fund before June 30th, 2024. Your generosity fuels the future of our students. Every single donation, regardless of size, holds immense significance for us, and we're genuinely grateful for your support.

As we commemorate VI Montessori's 60th anniversary, let's inject some excitement into our donations!

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"Pasta and Bingo Night" Elevates VIMSIA Sailing Team

A heartfelt thank you to all who attended this week’s fundraiser at St. Thomas Yacht Club! We are thrilled to share the tremendous success of “Pasta and Bingo Night,” held on Wednesday night to support the VIMSIA sailing team. Thanks to the incredible support and participation from our community, the event was not only a delightful evening but also a significant step towards achieving our fundraising goals for the team.

The event kicked off with a wonderful array of pasta dishes that were enjoyed by all prepared by our very own Colin Auchicloss. As the evening progressed, the excitement heightened with the start of the bingo games. It was a joy to see participants of all ages engaging in the friendly competition, with lucky winners walking away with amazing prizes donated by our sponsors.

"It’s so great to see our kids working together and being shining examples of why we send our children to this school and confirmation of our belief in the Montessori spirit," said Ravi Nagi.

We are proud to announce that, through food sales, donations, and the Bingo, we have raised a quarter of our yearly team fundraising goals. 100% of these funds go directly towards supporting the VIMSIA sailing team, enabling them to pursue their passion and travel to stateside regattas.

"I love how everyone comes together on this team! We have the best parent and student group,” added Sarah Auchincloss.

This event would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, the generous donations from local businesses and individuals, and, most importantly, the participation of our community.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your contribution to making the “Pasta and Bingo Night” a resounding success. We look forward to the continued support of our community and to seeing you all at our next event.

Check out some great photos from the event below!

the whole team with Gaylin Voegel, Winner of the blackout bingo game. She won a night at the Ritz-Carlton!