VI Scholars, a new Virgin Islands educational organization, developed and directed by St. Johnian Lincoln Liburd and fellow Stanford University students and alumni, is launching an innovative summer program for V.I. students. VI Scholars inaugural program brings together 20 outstanding rising high school freshmen from St. Thomas and St. John to engage with V.I. leaders, experts on issues currently facing the Virgin Islands, and a non-traditional academic curriculum–offering courses ranging from social entrepreneurship and innovation to leadership and public speaking. Local community leaders and a visiting team of 10 Stanford University students equip scholars with the skills they will need to have a lasting positive impact within the V.I., as scholars work to create actionable solutions to some of the island’s most-pressing problems.
The program culminates with scholars presenting social impact projects — researched, developed, and to be implemented with the support and year-round mentorship of Stanford University students and alumni, seed-funding from VI Scholars, and help from dozens of members throughout the Virgin Islands. As part of the program, scholars commit to being responsible citizens of their community, agreeing to give back immediately through their social impact projects and eventually through their life’s work. Scholars are instilled with five key values: academic excellence, community service, honor, leadership and perseverance.
To learn more about VI Scholars and its work, visit their Web site at: www.vischolars.org, or e-mail: contact@vischolars.org. Tax-deductible contributions for VI Scholars can be sent to Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, PO Box 11790, St. Thomas, VI, 00801-4790, attention: “VI Scholars Fund.”
