Dear Source:
Appalling best describes the appearance of Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and its state of ruin. Two issues come to mind regarding the Junior High School eyesore.
The effect on a student's pride in their school can be greatly affected by the condition and appearance of the school. I am not criticizing the importance of education received at Cancryn or the dedication of the teachers and staff. I take cause against the appearance of the school and its conditioning effect on the students and the lack of government pride in its general concern for the education environment. It's well known that your environment has a great effect on the development of an individual and influences the standards for what is considered as the acceptable for either work or living space.
As a showcase for our islands education the junior high school is in the face of every tourist that docks at Crown Bay. Lucky are those that catch a ride on a safari to downtown there is only a brief glance of what appears to be rundown buildings, dirt and weed landscape, and surrounded by a chain link fence. In many cases however those tourists that are up to a brisk walk have much more time to see the our education environment in action.
Back to my question, "Would Dr. Addelita Cancryn be proud of the use of her name?" Reading about her personal achievements in the Virgin Islands community, group activities, and other various societies I would have to say, "Yes" in as much for the single fact that her name is used in connection with Virgin Island's education and no I think she would be appalled at the dismal appearance on display of a building that bears her name and the image that this imparts to Virgin Island visitors and the importance placed on education in general.
Every year you see crews manicuring the roads travelled by the safaris showcasing our island to thousands of people yet the single most important public property viewed by tourist passing Cancryn looks abandoned and in disrepair. Good causes such as the "Doggie Ball" can generate thousands of dollars for the Humane Society or the legislature can spend public funds for a Christmas party at Sugar Bay but indifference is paid by the government or the Board of Education to raise student pride in their school or in their own self-worth.
Larry Boecker
St. Thomas
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