With free health screenings, information on careers, and an introduction to clubs and activities, the University of the Virgin Islands is “Putting the Pieces Together” this week at its annual Fall Fest on the St. Thomas campus.
Aimed primarily at UVI and local high school students, the fest is also open to anyone in the community who is interested. It will be held this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Sports and Fitness Center.
It will feature a jobs expo, “Career GPS: Navigating for Success.” Verna Rivers, counseling supervisor, and the woman in charge of the expo, has invited scores of businesses and agencies to participate and present information about their particular expertise.
Already she has positive replies from First Bank, Banco Popular, Scotiabank, the St. Thomas-St. John Credit Union, Bellows, Diamonds International, Coral World, BCBG Max Azria, the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association, V.I.P.D., U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the V.I. Army and National Guard, Health, Human Services and the university’s own IT department. And she’s still waiting to hear back from more.
Rivers said she has been involved in the Fest since it started in 2005 or 2006, though it was called September Fest then. There were one or two years it wasn’t held, but last year it was reinstated and was very successful. Rivers estimated about 200 UVI students attended, and said there were about an equal number of high school students and other people from the island.
Organizers are expecting a similar turnout this year, according to Dahlia Stirdiron, counseling supervisor for UVI’s Counseling and Career Services.
On the social side, students can get an introduction to many of the university’s activities and clubs. Some 24 are listed on UVI’s website and include a French Club, a Japanese Club, Math Club, Chess Club, Foods Committee, sororities and the Golden Key International Honour Society.
While some students may be familiar with many of the groups, “they can still come out and learn something new,” Stridiron said. “Every year there are new clubs and organizations.”
Stridiron is more involved with the health aspects of the fest. She said there will be HIV screenings, blood pressure readings, vision testing, massages, and fitness demonstrations, along with a wealth of information on skin care, vitamins and general wellness.
A joint project with the Psychology Student Association, there will also be an opportunity to take a simple mental health test online and to receive information.
“It takes about three to five minutes to complete” and is completely confidential and anonymous, she said. It’s being offered at the fest in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day but it is also available through the UVI website.
The Division of Mental Health will have a presence at the fest along with a number of other government and private agencies, including the Family Resource Center and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Stridiron said.
Besides herself and Rivers, Stridiron said other coordinating staff for the fest are Ronda Herbert, health services supervisor, and Leon Lafond, student activities supervisor.
For more information, call Stridiron at 693-1136 or email dstridi@uvi.edu.
