The Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) celebrated its highly anticipated annual Carni-Fall fundraiser on Oct. 19, at the stunning Coral World Ocean Park. The event brought together a vibrant crowd of 375 guests for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, community spirit and support for VIMSIA’s mission.
Led by Marketing Director Vernon Araujo and Assistant Marketing Director Leah Trotman, this year’s Carni-Fall exceeded all expectations, raising essential funds for VIMSIA’s Annual Fund. These contributions will help sustain the school’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education for students in the USVI.
The evening featured live performances from Top Notch Band and JUCE, along with culinary delights from Island Edge Culinary. Families were thrilled by the school’s own mocko jumbies and enjoyed browsing a lively selection of vendor booths, which added to the festive atmosphere.
“We are deeply grateful to Coral World for generously hosting our event at such a beautiful venue,” said Vernon Araujo, VIMSIA’s marketing director. “The overwhelming support we received at this year’s Carni-Fall was heartwarming. It was a fantastic way to kick off the year, and the success of this event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, generous sponsors and the invaluable partnership we have with Coral World. These funds will directly support our mission, furthering the impact we make on our students and the greater community.”
A special thank you goes to the event’s sponsors: The Anasetti family, 340 Real Estate Company, First
Bank, Lime Out, E & J Trucking, Coral World Ocean Park, Island Edge Culinary, CC1, Mandahl Market, West Indies Company, Leatherback Brewing Company, Margaritaville and Ricky James Sr. Taxi Service, whose support was instrumental in the event’s success.
Proceeds from Carni-Fall will directly fund teacher training, maintain VIMSIA’s high standards of academic excellence, and enhance community outreach initiatives, ensuring that the school continues to provide its renowned “Education for Life” programs. These efforts make independent school education more accessible and affordable for families across the Virgin Islands.
Building on this year’s success, the VIMSIA team is already planning next year’s Carni-Fall, with exciting plans to expand vendor offerings and introduce more engaging activities for an even more memorable experience.
For more information about VIMSIA, the Annual Fund, or how to get involved in future events,
visit https://givebutter.com/VIMSIA or contact Vernon at vernon@vimsia.org.
Be sure to mark the calendars for the school’s next major event, Las Vegas Night, from 7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Dec. 7, at Sapphire Beach Club. Tickets can be purchased at https://givebutter.com/LVN2024
About VIMSIA
The Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) is a non-profit, independent school located on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. VIMSIA offers an inclusive, innovative, and globally focused-education for students from preschool through high school. The school’s mission is to nurture global citizens through a Montessori-based curriculum that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
