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.

Presenting the Class of 2024

It’s graduation week! All are invited to join us under the Solar Awning this Sunday, May 26th at 1pm for the official ceremony.

The Class of 2024 has very exciting and diverse post-secondary plans. Collectively, their pursuits will take them to both domestic and international universities, into the trades and to exploration through travel. From service projects to athletic accomplishments to excellence in academics, everyone in this class has contributed to our island community in unique and impactful ways. Half of this class has been a part of VIMSIA since a level of Montessori, and many of them participated in the Turkey End Session during their junior year.

In addition to their individual accomplishments, this graduating class has been instrumental in building and fostering a strong sense of community at VIMSIA and in St. Thomas. This class has developed a special sense of unity, having persevered through IrMaria and the pandemic during their time in the PGIA. Their impact will be felt for many years to come and the legacy they are leaving behind is deeply inspiring.

Class of 2024 - We love you and are so proud of you!

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fifth Annual Alumni Lunch

The PGIA hosted the fifth annual Alumni Luncheon on Wednesday, December 18.  We love this time of year as alumni return to campus and share wisdom and advice with current DP students!  Our alumni discussed everything from the transition to college and getting involved in a new community to academic choices and leveraging their experience in the IB.  It's so exciting to see our Volts making their way out in the world! 

Top row, from left to right: CJ Fahie '16 (Indiana Institute of Technology) , Naomi Laing '16 (University of the Virgin Islands), Gregory Christian '19 (High Point University), Ricky James '19 (Florida Atlantic University), Jalen McClean '19 (Jacksonville University), David Dawson '19 (Drexel University), Karl Dinang '19 (New College of Florida), Axel Bartsch '19 (Occidental College)

Bottom row, from left to right: Alison Bartsch '17 (Stanford University), Leah Trotman '17 (Agnes Scott College), Kiyalyn Bump '16 (Dalhousie University), Daicya Dawson '19 (Rider University) 

Head of School 2018-2019 Year End Report

Michael Bornn, Head of School

VIMSIA’s focus is to raise the bar of education in the Virgin Islands via individual student learning. As one functions at VIMSIA, one should always ask yourself: “What is the impact on student learning?” Everything else falls into place after that.

 We have repaired most of the hurricane damaged facilities. We are embarking on a major construction effort of five facilities: BEC, La Casa, Art Trailer, Dance Trailer and Weight Room. They will rebuilt over the next several years. The first building will be starting this summer. All these facilities will be constructed to a higher standard than the original facilities.

 Our graduates continue to be accepted in their first choice schools with significant amounts of financial aid to enable attendance. Our graduates are well prepared for college. Several have gone on to excel at graduate programs; others have commenced highly gainful and exciting employment.

 For a school with only ten years of graduating classes, the successes of our graduates are very impressive. The IB program prepares our graduates for college. Our graduates have achieved. They are achieving.  And they make us proud. They prove our school is meeting the challenge of quality education.

 VIMSIA will continue to improve in areas of math performance, acquisition of languages, writing skills, classroom management, self-discipline, intrinsic curiosity, collaboration and developing the love of learning. We attempt to reach every child at our school.

 Art, music, dance and theater offerings will continue on their growth path. Speech will also be added as an elective next year. Swimming, sailing and tennis offerings are being developed for next year as well.          

 VIMSIA seeks to educate a diversified student body and our families is reflective of the world at large. We are indeed proud that our teachers have taught in over 70 countries as well as the Virgin Islands. International travel and interactions are a foundation of our school.

 Expanding the Montessori Method to reach every child in the VI is indeed a goal. Early childhood education is critically important and the Montessori Method has been proven to be a leading pedagogy in early childhood education. On island Montessori training for staff and parents will commence this coming school year. 

 VIMSIA now has an endowment to help ensure we have a financial cushion to help mitigate future disasters and more importantly to fund the pursuit of excellence in perpetuity.  Raising money to grow the fund is a priority. 

 The campus is 100% solar energized. A portion of the campus is operating on an off-grid basis with storage batteries and generator back-up.  We are in the process of installing additional storage capacity to take the whole campus off grid. The cost savings of this sustainable program goes directly to improve student learning.

 To further enhance teacher recruitment and retention, we are embarking on two offerings. First, a fleet of electric cars has been donated to the school. They will be available for lease to teachers desiring an electric car. The cars can be charged at our solar powered electric car charging station free of charge, with an estimated annual fuel savings to each teacher of approximately $2,400.

Secondly, we have acquired a two-unit house on Vessup Lane so we will be able to provide affordable housing for our staff close to school. This housing program is a long-term initiative with the goal of acquiring several houses in the area over many years. The vehicle and housing alternatives are purely optional for staff. Providing transportation and housing for faculty is a step in the direction of improving the quality of life for staff, which in turn improves student learning.

 We are working on a proposal to have the concession stand open daily for students and staff to be able to purchase items from a student-run venture. Such will also incorporate existing student fund raising efforts of selling pizza weekly.

None of our achievements and goals would be possible without the amazing support of our staff, students, parents and donors.

Alumni Update: Nisha Hodge

Nisha, a 2012 PGIA IB graduate, was on hand for the 2019 commencement ceremony last week and we were honored to have her announce our guest speaker. It was so fabulous to see Nisha back on campus to get an update on what is going on in her life.

She brought in a photo on her at her 2012 graduation holding her “Oh the Places You’ll Go” book, by Dr. Suess, which has become a traditional gift for our graduates from their teachers and the VIMSIA staff.

Nisha, a Gates Millennium Scholar, has achieved much since her time at the PGIA. She is most certainly on a path to be the change she hopes to see in the world. Rock on, Nisha!

She gave us some of the highlights of her life since graduation:

• In 2012, when I graduated I received the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship that completely covered my undergraduate and graduate education. 

• During my freshman year of college, in 2012, I was the student keynote speaker for the IB Conference in New Orleans in which I introduced environmentalist Phillip Cousteau Jr.  

• I attended New College of Florida and graduated in 2016 with a BA in Biology/Chemistry.  

• I graduated in 2018, last year, with my Masters of Public Health (MPH) from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. 

• At the beginning of medical school, I found out I received the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) Scholarship which covers the cost of medical school in exchange for my commitment to providing primary care to underserved populations. 

• I just finished my first year of medical school at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. 

• I will be conducting clinical research in health disparities this summer at Stanford University for 8 weeks.

We at VIMSIA could not be more proud of Nisha. Oh, the places she has gone - and is going!

The Class of 2019 Represents the PGIA's 10th Graduating Class!

Sunday, May 26, was an incredible day at Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy. The Class of 2019 represents the PGIA’s 10th graduating class and these thirteen graduates shined during their last event as high school students! This group has a very notable bond and there was an overwhelming sense of ‘readiness’ to start the next chapter of their lives.

Valedictorian Talia Feshbach

Salutatorian Axel Bartsch

Gregory Christian, 2019 Student Selected Commencement Speaker, receives the Masjid Nur International-Mindedness Scholarship

 Talia Feshbach led the class as Valedictorian and Axel Bartsch was Salutatorian. Gregory Christian was chosen by his peers as the student speaker. He was also awarded the Masjid Nur Organization's International-Mindedness Scholarship at the ceremony. Gregory shared wonderful anecdotes and perspective, having been a part of the VIMSIA school community since Primary. Ms. Alexandra Silva was selected as the teacher speaker and encouraged students to take on each of their classmate’s best and most signature qualities as they venture off into the world. The crowd enjoyed a keynote address from Shane Feldman, founder and CEO of Count Me In, one of the world’s largest millennial movements for volunteerism, community and mentorship.  

 Twelve students are planning to attend university in the fall.  They were accepted to 53 different universities and received over $5 million in scholarships and grants.

Our students will be attending:

• Allegheny College (PA)

• Bryn Mawr College (PA)

• Drexel University (PA)

• Florida Atlantic University (FL)

• Georgia State University (GA)

• Grove City College (PA)

• High Point University (NC)

• Howard University (DC)

• Jacksonville University (FL)

• Occidental College (CA)

• Rider University (NJ)

• University of Miami (FL)

Alumni Silas Wisehart has been Appointed to US Coast Guard Academy Class of 2023!

St. Thomas resident Silas A. Wisehart has received an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.   Wisehart will be sworn in as a member of the Class of 2023 on July 1, 2019. 

 The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, is a top military college granting Bachelor of Science degrees in one of nine engineering or professional majors.  The smallest of the nation’s five military service academies, the Coast Guard Academy’s Corps of Cadets represents the nation’s best and brightest students, ready to serve and lead their country.  Each year, approximately 200 graduates are commissioned as Coast Guard officers to help ensure the safety, security and stewardship of our nation’s waters. 

 Wisehart, who was born and raised on St. Thomas, is a 2018 graduate of the V.I. Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy.  During his senior year of high school, he received admission to the Coast Guard Academy Scholars Program, which provides a year of preparation for the rigorous academic, athletic and military program at the Coast Guard Academy.  Having successfully completed the Service Academy Program at Marion Military Institute in Alabama, Wisehart received a full appointment to the Coast Guard Academy. 

 Wisehart is the son of Ryan and Lisa Wisehart of St. Thomas.

Alumni Luncheon Panel

VIMSIA's College Counseling Department hosted our annual Alumni Lunch today! Eleven alumni including: Christina Brett '17, CJ Fahie '16, Niquay Leonard '17, Kobe Potter '18, Silas Wisehart '18, Nalani Figueroa '18, Vanshika Lulla '18, Ali Bartsch '17, Leah Trotman '17, T'Leah Serieux '17, and Vernelle Callwood '18 returned to campus to speak to our Diploma Program students. They shared advice and insight about life after high school and their adventures in college. Students engaged in discussion about the college experience and how the IB Program prepared them for academic success. Many thanks to our alumni for the support of our students!

VOLTS Alumni at World Cup Qualifiers

3 Alumnae Volts representing USVI at World Cup Qualifiers

Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy alumni Ariel Stolz ‘13, Isis Collier ’15, and Alison Bartsch ’17 are currently in Trinidad representing their country at the CONCACAF Caribbean Qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.  All three started soccer with Senor Araujo and played for our Varsity Volts with Coach Elger.  After a tough but expected loss to world-class Trinidad in the first game, the USVI team bounced back to beat Grenada 3-0 in the second, then lost their third match 0-3 to Dominica.   Our young and developing team is proud to be demonstrating success at the international level. Their final match is Sunday vs St. Kitts & Nevis.  #GoVolts  #GoUSVI

New Tradition: Alumni Induction Ceremony

With new times, come new traditions. On Wednesday, May 16 Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) seniors were welcomed into the Alumni Association through an induction ceremony. Each senior was welcomed into the association by a current alumni of VIMSIA. This ceremony was created to formally represent the transition from the status of undergraduate member to alumni status within VIMSIA. It was a surprise to all when our guest alumni were also inducted into our newly established Alumni Association. All members received an alumni pin, certificate of recognition and a VOLT bracelet. A special thanks goes out to our guest alumni: Tess Monsanto, Vernon Araujo, Alayna Belshe, Melissa Bump, Shane Brunt, Ched Sharpless and Tommy Brunt. Congratulations to all!

Alumna Spotlight On Leah Trotman

PGIA alumna and former MLK, Jr. Award recipient, Leah Trotman, is continuing to make a difference in her collegiate life. She is currently a freshman at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA where she was the only freshman to serve on the President's Committee for Puerto Rico and USVI Hurricane Relief. It was Leah that contacted the President and Dean of Campus Life after these events to see how Agnes Scott could mobilize their efforts to help. She also is a member of several campus clubs and organizations and already holds leadership roles as a freshman. Recently, she was accepted and given a full scholarship to attend the 2018 Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service as a participant in the Leadership Scholars Program. 

"Leah Trotman continues to make us proud!" - Elizabeth Elger

Leah Trotman

“Unlike other college students around me, I don’t shy away from large workloads in college. Rather, because of the level of work given at VIMSIA, I jump feet first into the work and take it one step at a time. VIMSIA has also taught me how to be an internationally ready student. I am writing to you from a hotel in La Antigua, Guatemala on a class trip. These are things that are now normal to me because of my trips to Colombia and China. Thanks End Session! I am forever grateful for my education at VIMSIA. I wouldn’t change it for the world.” 

Home for the Holidays - PGIA Alumni Luncheon

From left to right: Kendal Benjamin '17 Duquesne University, Ali Bartsch '17 Stanford University, Kayla Rivers '17 Seton Hall University, CJ Fahie '16 Indiana Tech University, Kiyalyn Bump Dalhousie University '16, Aneesh Chandiramani '17 Clark University and Leah Trotman '17 Agnes Scott College

Not pictured: Abraham Hamed '16 Valencia College, Christina Brett '17 University of Tampa and Eyad Hamed '17 Valencia College

The PGIA College Counseling office hosted the fourth annual Alumni Luncheon on Wednesday, December 20th.  Our alumni were full of energy and excitement as they returned to campus to share experiences, insights and goals with our current juniors and seniors.  Many of our returning alums have only completed their first semesters of college but are well of their way to blazing some amazing trails.  

Some notable pieces of advice from our former Volts: 

"Be an advocate for yourself and what you believe in."

"All of your hard work (in the DP program) is totally worth it."

"Follow your passion."

"Keep an open mind."

"Go to class!"  :)

Thank you Alumni!  We wish you the best!  

Alumni Update: Ali Bartsch, Aneesh Chandiramani, Leah Trotman

We love, love, love when our students come back to visit.  Today we had a visit from PGIA Class of 2017 graduates:  Ali, Aneesh and Leah.  What a treat!

They have all just finished their first semester at college.  Ali is in engineering at Stanford, Aneesh is focusing on sciences, with a specific interest in biology at Clark University and Leah is deciding whether to major in International Studies or Public Health (possibly both) at Agnes Scott College.

I tried to interview them with a few simple questions - What do you like best about college life - Were there any huge surprises - Did you feel prepared -  but honestly they were going a mile a minute with each other and me about their experiences and how amazing things are.  I was totally blown away by them and couldn't stop smiling.  So, I'm definitely giving the cliff notes version of their conversations and am sure I will not be able to convey their enthusiasm - so please assume all of the following is written in caps with tons of emojis and exclamation points.

"What do you like best?"  All three hit on the same theme.  The people they are engaging with.  Whether their peers, professors or guest lecturers they all say they are meeting very interesting, diverse and accomplished people.  Ali met the woman that discovered carbon dioxide contributes to global warming and has a chance to interact with the COO of SpaceX "soon come". She spoke of these ladies with such reverence and awe - I am just waiting for the day that some young woman feels the same way about her chance to meet the prominent Alison Bartsch.  Leah is involved with Campus government and continues her strong interest in service with a plethora of activities - I must admit I lost count.  In the wee hours of the Hurricane Irma's pounding of our island, this bold freshman wrote to the president of her college (and quite possibly the Danish government) to initiate a movement for relief efforts.  Aneesh (in a quieter very Aneesh-ish way) is also really excited about the people his is meeting - "They all have such great stories about how they came to be at this point in their lives".   

"Do you feel that you were well prepared?"  This was easy.  They all said "yes".  And they recognize that many of their peers are not nearly so well-prepared.  Writing and citations were a big topic.   Leah and Aneesh felt like the class experts and were a little bored with the basic reviews they had to sit through.  Apparently everyone at Stanford falls in the "very well prepared" category.  They all felt that the study habits they developed in high school are serving them well at this level.  Leah was able to credit out of three Spanish semesters and an Anthro semester based on her PGIA IB Transcript.  

So nice to see them.  I'm still beaming.  Our students are "glowing" up (Aneesh's term - I like it).

BLAST FROM THE PAST

As a new staff member, I am lucky to discover and learn about VIMSIA's rich history! Check out these wonderful photos from years past...

Ms. Shournagh McWeeney teaching a Primary class, circa 1970. Over 45 years later, her legacy as a key educator, leader, and friend of the VIMSIA family is stronger than ever.  

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All School Group Photo, 2010. Taken at what is now our solar awning space, this shot includes VIMSIA's first high school graduate. Since then we have sent graduating classes of up to 17 students off to take on the world!

Time flies when you're having fun!  

Alumni Update: Alex Emerich

Alex started in Montessori at the age of 2 and graduated from our IB program in our second graduating class - 2012.  He went on to The Pennsylvania State University and has recently graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Engineering.  He is now working as a test engineer at The Savannah River Nuclear Site Salt Waste Processing Facility.  Alex was among the first five students to have spent their whole student lives through high school at VIMSIA.  

Alex's fondest memories are chess team with Coach Allen and Soccer with Señor Araujo.  When he started out in the High School, Ms. Zakers and Ms. Heersink taught every class!

 Congratulations, Alex, on your college graduation and best of luck in your new career!  Thanks for stopping by to visit.

PGIA Alumni Luncheon

On Wednesday, January 4, the PGIA College Counseling office hosted the third annual Alumni Luncheon. This is a time when all alumni are invited to return to campus to offer pearls of wisdom to our current juniors and seniors. It's also a time for them to reflect on their experiences here and provide our administrative team with constructive feedback. This year, 19 alumni returned. Each of them shared stories of their college experience and future plans. It's so exciting to see the paths they have chartered! Our former Volts are certainly making their marks on the world.

Kai Bartlette '11 graduated Providence College with a BA in math and Spanish. She is currently getting her PhD in applied mathematics at the Colorado School of the Mines. Nathaniel Fuller '11 is getting his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Kelsey Morrison '13 will graduate Ohio Wesleyan this May. She spent last semester in Chicago working with a law firm on human rights abuse cases. Her future plans are to pursue a JD/PhD program. Ariel Stolz '13 will graduate Brown University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She plans to take a gap year to travel and then obtain a graduate degree in sustainable energy. PJ Chemont '14 is getting a Business Technology and Marketing degree at the University of Miami. He is also a drumline section leader. Isis Collier '15 is a dual sport athlete (soccer and lacrosse) at Cornell College in Iowa where she is pursuing a degree in music and kinesthesiology. She still plays the violin. Michael Emanuel '15 is at University of Rochester studying Political Science with hopes to attend law school in the future. Tariq Davis '15 is at Beacon College in Florida studying Business. Noah Stolz '15 is at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute studying computer science and cognitive science. He is currently conducting research at RPI in coordination with a professor at UVI. Jeremy Knight '15 is studying Environmental Science and Sustainability at Emory University. Whenever he's on island, he interns with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dakarai Potter '16 is studying Health Management Systems at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. CJ Fahie '16 is studying Computer Engineering at Indiana Tech and playing soccer. Kiyalyn Bump '16 is enjoying her Creative Writing and English program at Dalhousie University in Canada. Nicholas Figueroa '16 will begin a Bachelor's in Business Management at Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute this month. He spent this semester on island getting his pilot's license. Naomi Laing '16 is attending UVI studying Business with a concentration in finance. She plans to transfer to a school in Florida for her sophomore year. Shakima Esprit '16 is also studying at UVI focusing on nursing. Isabel Setorie '16 is pursuing Pan-African Studies, Spanish, and Linguistics at Drew University. Abe Hamed '16 is studying Business at Valencia College. Jesse Wyatt '16 is studying Art at St. John's University.

Welcome Back Alumni!

Today we welcomed back graduates from our very first IB graduating class to last year's class.  Huge thanks to Mrs. Elger for organizing an alumni luncheon today to bring our graduates back.  The PGIA Juniors and Seniors were invited for a round table discussion about life after PGIA.  We are so proud of all of our students and so appreciative to these alumni for taking time to share their stories. GO GRADS!

Visiting PGIA IB Alumni

L to R on top:

• Michael Emanuel 
• PJ Chemont
• Jenisha Stapleton 
• Kendall Hebert
• Kai Bartlette 
• Kelsey Morrison 
• Ariel Stolz 
• Manal Hamed

L to R on bottom:

• Tariq Davis 
• VerNae Callwood
• Noah Stolz 
• Nathaniel Fuller
• Erika Lowry 
• Andrew Remeselnik

Alumni Update: Michael Emanuel

Michael Emanuel - PGIA Graduate Class of 2015

Michael stopped by today to say hi and bye as he gets ready to head off to the University of Rochester on Sunday.   Michael is planning to study Physics and Psychology.  He was lucky enough to spend a month over the summer in an orientation program so is ready to rock and roll.  He is such a great kid!  Best of luck Michael!