There’s a famous saying: “Proper planning prevents poor performance,” and on Thursday in Cruz Bay, the forward-thinking administrators who changed the venue for the 2024 Julius E. Sprauve School Promotional Ceremony demonstrated the proof.
Twenty-nine transitioning eighth graders took their seats in Franklin Powell Park to accept certificates declaring them ready for high school; 14 were honor students. The administration said Sprauve School staff is especially proud because every student in the class qualified for promotion without needing remedial work or adjusting their grades.
Normally, big canopies are set up for seating at public events in the park like this, but students were given umbrellas to shield themselves from either the sun or the rain.
The change of venue was one of three announced by the Education Department on their social media page posted May 16. The public was also advised that Yvonne Millner-Bowsky School on St. Thomas and Ricardo Richards Elementary School on St. Croix would celebrate their students’ achievements in different locations this week.
Torrential downpours from a predicted storm system drenched the territory the night before, and a massive WAPA power outage made the outdoor venture ideal under the circumstances.
A Water and Power Authority advisory circulated by text at 8:45 a.m. Thursday said the island-wide St. John power outage was caused by a problem along the distribution line. Electrical service was finally restored around 5:30 a.m. Friday morning.
