Feb. 8, 2008 — The solid academic work of Moravian School eighth grader Koi Rivera served him well Wednesday, when he got to serve as Gov. John deJongh Jr.'s chief of staff for the day.
"Mr. Rivera is a very bright young man who clearly has a bright future ahead," said Louis Penn, who holds the job the rest of the year. "It was a pleasure to spend time with him today. This program through Moravian School allows students to learn more about leadership and executive management in the Virgin Islands government and provides a mechanism for grooming future leaders. It was our pleasure to host him today."
Rivera was one of 24 students selected and placed throughout various departments and agencies of the V.I. government as part of a new program with the school's new Future Business Leaders of America chapter, according to a Government House news release. FBLA program participants were asked to share career goals, and were then placed in acting capacities for the day based on responses given to the Moravian School FBLA advisors and a selections process.
"Moravian is the first middle school on St. Thomas to have an FBLA chapter," said Maria Ayala, the school's principal. "Throughout the week, FBLA program student participants are being placed in senior-level, management and administrative-capacity settings in order to provide an interesting educational opportunity for students in the Virgin Islands. Working in conjunction with the FBLA chapters of Charlotte Amalie High School and the University of the Virgin Islands, we have put forward an exciting program that features our students and grants them exposure to future leadership employment tracks in the territory."
Helping him land the Government House job were Rivera's academic accomplishments, career goals and leadership qualities. He is an honor student and spelling-bee champion, and recently represented the school in a WTJX rap competition. Rivera arrived at Government House at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday to work alongside Penn for the day. Penn guided Rivera throughout the day on the various roles and functions of the office, and taught him about the executive offices for the governor. Rivera also met all available executive staff of Government House.
"The chief of staff is the right hand of the governor," Rivera said. "He handles all the goings-on of the other sections of the V.I. government. This is clearly a challenging job, and I am grateful to have experienced this day to witness some of the inner workings of the government."
Ayala and school Secretary Antoinette Setorie were two of the four key advisors who selected and placed the FBLA students in the various posts this week. Other FBLA advisors at Moravian School included Assistant Principal Juan Christian and home economics and P.E. teacher Jacqueline Lewis.
FBLA students of Moravian School were also placed in the following V.I. government departments and agencies: OMB, Education, EDA, Health, Labor, Justice, Personnel and Housing, as well as at Tutu Park Mall and the Senate. Students are presented with opportunities to learn more about accounting, marketing, business management and government leadership.
Moravian School looks forward to continuing this important program next year, the release said.
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