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Virtue of the Week โ€“ Humanity

Virtue of the Week โ€“ Humanity

Virtue of the Week focuses on building peaceful and caring communities through understanding and fostering the practice of virtues. The Source supports the Virtues Project and will publish one virtue developed by the project each week.

 

Humanity

Humanity is an attitude of caring and mercy toward all people. We all breathe the same air. We all suffer and rejoice. Humanity is unifying and accepting of differences. We tap into our humanity when we put ourselves in othersโ€™ shoes and are genuinely concerned for their welfare. Our humanity grows as we serve others. We are each a unique part of a global consciousness.

Quote: โ€œAn individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.โ€ โ€”Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Practice of Humanity

I feel a common bond with all people.

I value each person as an individual.

I refrain from prejudice.

I feel empathy for the suffering of others.

I have a passion for compassion.

I contribute to the good of humanity.

Questions for Discussion

  • How do we honor our humanity in our community?
  • Are there any generalizations that we are holding that are causing us to deny others their humanity? If so, what are they?
  • How can empathy strengthen our social justice work?
  • How do we serve others in our community?

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Visit https://cfvi.net/Virtues-Project, and scroll to the end of the page to fill out the form.

Virtue of the Week is provided by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) in partnership with the VI Source and Virtues Matter.

About the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands

Since 1990, CFVI has been a catalyst for positive change in the territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning.ย For more information, visitย cfvi.net.

About Virtues Matterย Virtues Matter was started by a passionate wife-husband team of social entrepreneurs seeking to positively uplift as many lives as possible. We aim to inspire and empower, to build capacity, strengthen relationships, and help everyone lead lives of passion and purpose.

Virtues Matter believes in a world where people are committed to kindness and respect, strive to be their best, and live with hope, courage and in unity. We built the Virtues Cards mobile app, an interactive personal and team development tool, to help people identify and develop key virtue skills. We also offer dynamic workshops, online training, and customized programs to help people cultivate these positive qualities of character. To learn more, visit virtuesmatter.com.

To learn more about the Virtues Project, visitย www.virtuesproject.com.

Weekly Weather Forecast With Jesse Daley

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Check out our weekly weather forecast with Jesse Daley, covering Sunday, April 27, through Saturday, May 3. Our YouTube playlist is updated every week, AND check out Jesseโ€™s daily weather updates here.

Technical Problem Delays UVI 2025 Applicationsย 

The University of the Virgin Islands Enrollment Management Team is working diligently to review and respond to all Fall 2025 applications that have been delayed due to recent technical difficulties.

โ€œWe understand the anticipation and excitement that comes with applying to college and sincerely apologize for delays some applicants may have experienced,โ€ said Dr. Nigel Edwards, vice provost for Enrollment Management and Student Services.ย โ€œPlease know that our dedicated team is actively addressing these challenges to ensure that all future Buccaneers receive the attention and support they deserve.โ€

Applicants are encouraged to check their email inboxesโ€”and spam foldersโ€”regularly for important updates or requests for additional information. Prompt responses to these messages will help the University move the enrollment process forward more efficiently.

Prospective students interested in checking their application status should visit www.uvi.edu early next week.

10 Years After Its Start, St. Thomas Airport Dedicates Its Airport Transportation Center

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Dignitaries join Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and retired VIPA engineer Dale Gregory at Thursdayโ€™s dedication ceremony on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

Officials of the V.I. Port Authority held a double celebration at the Cyril E. King Airport Thursday: the completion of a new three-story parking garage and a tribute to VIPA engineer Dale A. Gregory, who helped initiate the project in 2014.

The Dale A. Gregory Transportation Center was dedicated, with the honoree, now retired, wielding an oversized pair of scissors to get the job done. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, Port Authority Director Carlton Dowe and members of the Legislature were on hand as witnesses.

The honoree sat quietly in a chair facing the audience at the end of a line of speakers and dignitaries. After nearly 40 years of service as an engineer, Gregory oversaw the initial phases of the project and then handed it over to his successor.

VIPAโ€™s current engineering chief, Preston Beyer, called completion of the transportation center project a first step toward a total redesign of King Airport. โ€œThis was viewed as the very first step in modernizing the Cyril King Airport,โ€ Beyer said.

His remarks and those of others were presented on the second floor of the three-story, 320-space parking garage. Port Authority spokeswoman Monife Brathwaite said Thursday is noted as the official day when Phase 2 of the transportation center project was officially finished.

It also marked the 1,093rd completed recovery project addressing damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, according to Adrienne Octalien-Williams, director of the Office of Disaster Recovery.

Total cost of the project: $33.2 million.

โ€œThis milestone represents not just the construction (for) our community. It’s a testament to the vision and collaboration of so many people, our dedicated team in this project from day one. We are thrilled to completely open this facility for pay starting next week,โ€ Octalien-Williams said.

Phase 1 of the project began in 2014, but after the ceremony, Brathwaite explained that initial construction was met with major delays. Aside from the disruption of the worldwide supply chain experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic phase, there was also a catastrophic earthquake in Turkiye that delayed delivery of a component for concrete, she said.

But agency engineers and executives from A.T. Construction Solutions fought through the challenges and completed Phase 1 of the transportation center in April 2024. After that, she said, Phase 2 began and was done in a year.

Dowe said that VIPA learned about the need to carry out the kind of project that would meet the airportโ€™s transportation needs years into the future. โ€œLeadership isnโ€™t easy, but sometimes leadership shows things that other people question; over time, you can see that some things turned out to be what was needed,โ€ the VIPA director said.

Ricardo Nater, vice president for A.T. Construction, invited everyone attending the dedication ceremony to look around them and marvel at all that had been accomplished. โ€œI’m very proud of what we’ve seen. I think we did it all. A lot of things have gone wrong, but we made it happen,โ€ Nater said.

And the governor joined with Dowe in describing the sometimes contentious relationship between contractor and client along the way. In spite of it all, Dowe said, he valued the working relationship with A.T. Construction and would consider them as opportunities arise.

Sen. Avery Lewis represented the first branch of government at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. โ€œIโ€™m really glad to see this completed, and these are the kinds of projects we really need to keep pushing,โ€ he said.

And shortly after the ribbon was snipped, VIPAโ€™s director said he was ready to get going on the next step in airport redesign.

โ€œWeโ€™re designing probably in the next few weeks some more preliminary designs for the terminal itself. Weโ€™re looking at the second quarter of next year when all the permitting and everything is done to start construction over there,โ€ Dowe said.

That includes resurfacing of the airport runway. The director said VIPA is keeping an eye on runway safety and indicated it may move up the priority list in the near future.

The governor concluded his remarks by saying, โ€œItโ€™s amazing how many good things are going on in the Virgin Islands all the time.โ€

He also congratulated Gregory, calling the dedication of the transportation center in his name โ€œwell deserved.โ€

VIPA Board Celebrates Transportation Center Opening; Votes on Action Items

VIPA discussed project changes at its monthly board meeting Friday. (Source file photo)

The Virgin Islands Port Authority Board held its monthly meeting Friday, acknowledging the official opening of the newly constructed transportation center on St. Thomas and financial changes to ongoing projects.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Thursday for the completion of the Dale A. Gregory Transportation Center.

โ€œI have a board action here in front of me from August first of 2013, August first of 2013, when myself first presented to the board that we should do a $2 rental surcharge for the purposes of upgrading the facilities wherever, what the rental cars would have to use,โ€ said Port Authority Director Carlton Dowe, placing emphasis that the 2013 discussion was the start of what would become the newly constructed transportation center.

โ€œSo when we see that ribbon cutting yesterday, approximately three to four million dollars were collected from that fee, not from the rental car company, but thatโ€™s what the public, who rented the vehicle paid to them, and by virtue transmits that to the authority,โ€ he said. โ€œThatโ€™s just the beginning of the transformation that we expect to modernize our facility,โ€ Dowe added.

After his remarks, the board began their agenda with a poll vote to renew the liability coverage for the Virgin Islands Port Authorityโ€™s Property and Terrorism Insurance for $7,138,786.47. All members present voted unanimously to approve it.

All members also voted to approve a request to enter into a contract with Energy Efficient Builders, LLC, for the interior build out of the Air Alliance building located at the Cyril E. King Airport in the amount of $344,931. An interior portion will be built out due to the presence of black mold and mildew.

On March 28, bids were also received from Continental Construction and Engineering ($404,372.00), Hammerhead Construction, LLC ($580,163.65), Apex Construction, LLC ($594,035.00) and Custom Builders ($794,197.00).

Board members also unanimously voted to issue a professional services contract, on a sole-source basis, to Kimley-Horn & Associates to provide construction-phase services related to the St. Thomas Selective Slab Replacement Project on the airport apron, not to exceed $648,560.00.

โ€œThe funding source of this is 90 percent covered by a FAA grant with 10 percent coming from VIPA revenues as our local match,โ€ said Preston Beyer, engineering director for the Port Authority.

The project will take place between April and September 30.

Beyer also requested that the board issue Change Order No. 8 to the existing contract between the Port Authority and AT Construction Solutions for the Gregory Transportation Center, not to exceed $488,215.76. Although Dowe appeared elated to have completed the ribbon-cutting ceremony less than 24 hours prior, extended overhead conditions needed to be addressed during the meeting.

โ€œDuring the course of construction works, there have been numerous changes that have been made to the conformed construction documents that have resulted in additional scope of work items needed for the successful completion of the project,โ€ said Beyer.

The board unanimously voted to approve the request.

Beyer added that the authority and itโ€™s designer of record, Kimley-Horn & Associates, reviewed the โ€œsubmitted time impactโ€ and found the additional $488,215.76 would duly compensate the additional 135 days for the project (the contractโ€™s period of performance end date changed from Oct. 14, 2024 to Feb. 28, 2025). This brings the projectโ€™s total cost to $33,706,465.41.

Additionally, Beyer noted the active projects in the territory. On St. Croix, the Port Authority has nine active projects totaling $44,690,965.08. They are the HERA Apron Rehabilitation, Gordon A. Finch Marine Cargo Building, HERA RWY 10-28 Shoulder & Electrical Vault, HERA TWY A&B Rehabilitation VI Paving, Frederiksted Tender Landing Pier, Frederiksted Pier Blow-out Panels, Wilfred โ€œBombaโ€ Allick Transshipment Center Wall Partition Build Out, Wilfred โ€œBombaโ€ Allick Transshipment Center Generator Modification, and Seaplane Long Term Environmental Monitoring projects.

On St. Thomas and St. John, the Port Authority has six active projects totaling $65,664,386.04. They are the CEKA Parking Garage & Transportation Center, CEKA Taxiway A West Reconstruction, St. John Ferry Dock Improvements, CEKA Airfield Pavement Markings, CEKA RWY 10-28 Keel Section Seal Coat, and Red Hook Restrooms Renovation projects.

During the board meeting, collection items were also addressed. Legal counsel Catherine Hendry noted that Silver Airways LLC and Seaborne are still under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

โ€œVIPA has done its part to submit its proof of claim,โ€œ said Hendry.

Board Member Willard John, who inquired about the default of payments from Silver Airways, said, โ€œWe need to have a plan.โ€

โ€œIf they [the court] dismiss them from Chapter 11, then everybody can sue them,โ€ responded Vincent Frazer, senior staff attorney for the Port Authority, who noted that the company owes approximately $600,000 to the Port Authority.

According to accounts receivable and collection records as of March 31, Silver Airways owes $319,462.82 on St. Thomas-St. John and $412,731.56 on St. Croix.

Board members Derek Gabriel, Willard John, Gordon Rhea, Kevin Rodriguez, and Leona Smith were present. Joseph Boschulte and Celetino White Sr. were absent.

Showers and Thunderstorms Possible Across USVI and Puerto Rico this Weekend and Into Next Week

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The NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, expects an unstable weather pattern with rainfall and thunderstorms throughout the weekend and into next week. (Photo courtesy NWS)

The National Weather Service expects unsettled weather across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend, with periods of showers and thunderstorms likely to continue into next week. Withย the St. Thomas Carnival set to take place from April 27 to May 3, individuals are encouraged to closely monitor the forecast.

โ€œAn increase in moisture, along with a series of troughs, will enhance the potential for showers and thunderstorms this weekend, and stretching into at least [next] Thursday,โ€ according to an update on Friday from the NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service said current atmospheric conditions will be conducive to the development of showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, with rainfall possibly heavy at times.

โ€œIn general, we are expecting [the potential for] rainfall accumulation of two to four inches each day [through next week], with the heaviest accumulation along the interior, north and western Puerto Rico,โ€ the NWS warned. โ€œHowever, periods of heavy rain will also reach the Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico [as well],โ€ the NWS said.

The Source contacted Lee Ann Inglรฉs-Serrano, a meteorologist at the NWS in San Juan, who provided the following information about possible rainfall across the USVI.

โ€œFor the U.S. Virgin Islands, rainfall amounts are expected to be lower [than Puerto Rico], with the latest forecast indicating accumulations ranging from around one inch to up to two inches in areas where more intense showers develop,โ€ Inglรฉs-Serrano said.

Satellite imagery obtained at 3:40 p.m. Friday indicates a mostly cloudy sky across the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photo courtesy NOAA)

Information from the NWS also noted the possibility of flooding, particularly between Sunday and Tuesday.

โ€œThe primary concern during this period is the increased risk of flooding, which is expected to remain elevated through at least midweek [next week],โ€ the NWS explained. โ€œCurrent [forecast] model trends indicate that the highest potential for moderate to heavy rainfall will occur between Sunday and Tuesday, which could lead to localized flooding, particularly in urban, low-lying, and mountainous areas,โ€ the NWS stated.

โ€œWhile there is still some uncertainty regarding the exact timing of the heaviest rainfall, the potential for impactful weather remains significant,โ€ the NWS continued.

Marine Weather Update

The NWS also explained that there will be an elevated risk of rip currents due to an approaching northeasterly swell and an increase in winds.

โ€œThe [rip current] risk is expected to increase to high along north-exposed beaches by Saturday night into Sunday, as a northeasterly swell will start to spread across the Atlantic waters,โ€ the NWS noted.

A previous Source article listed the following information about rip current safety from the NWS:

The most important factors to remember if caught in a rip current are:ย 

  • Relax. Rip currents donโ€™t pull you under.
  • A rip current is a natural treadmill that travels an average speed of one to two feet per second but has been measured as fast as eight feet per second โ€” faster than an Olympic swimmer. Trying to swim against a rip current will only use up your energy โ€” energy you need to survive and escape the rip current.
  • Do NOT try to swim directly to shore. Swim along the shoreline until you escape the currentโ€™s pull. When free from the pull of the current, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore.
  • If you feel you canโ€™t reach the shore, relax, face the shore, and call or wave for help. Remember: If in doubt, donโ€™t go out!
  • If at all possible, only swim at beaches with lifeguards.
  • If you choose to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend who has a cellphone, so that person can call 911 for help.

ย Weather Forecast Information

Residents and visitors across the local islands are reminded that the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30. Individuals can locate helpful hurricane season preparedness tips from the National Hurricane Center.

Weather forecast information and severe weather alerts are available from theย Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agencyโ€™s website and theย National Weather Service.

Theย Source Weather Page also publishes a daily weather forecast and allows readers toย viewย weather forecast videos andย disaster preparedness video segments.

Judge Discharges โ€˜Show Causeโ€™ Order Against Attorney in RTPark Whistleblower Case

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Carnival Cruise Lines' Mardi Gras enters St. Thomas Harbor on Dec. 23, 2021. (Photo by Heinemann Images)
An attorney representing the UVI Research and Technology Park will not be sanctioned by the court after missing a deadline to respond to an amended whistleblower complaint from the RTParkโ€™s former chief executive. (Submitted photo)

A federal judge discharged an order to โ€œshow causeโ€ Thursday and said he will not sanction an attorney representing the UVI Research and Technology Park who missed the deadline to respond to an amended whistleblower complaint filed by the entityโ€™sย former chief executive.

The RTPark had previously requested an extension until April 14 to respond to the amended complaint filed by former CEO Peter Chapman, in part because the attorney planned to be out of the territory attending to a personal matter.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile Henderson III gave the defendants until April 11. He wrote that the court โ€œremains concerned about the slow progress this case has made since its inception and does not understand why Defendants require ten additional days to respond to Plaintiffโ€™s complaint when they have already had such a lengthy time to prepare a response, particularly given that Attorney [Michelle] Meade states that she will only be off island โ€˜this week.โ€™โ€

The RTPark failed to respond by the April 11 deadline and, on April 14, requested a second extension to address a separateย discrimination lawsuitย filed by Chapman, writing that the parties โ€œare working toward possible consolidation and proper response to the combined action.โ€

Henderson acknowledged the second lawsuit in his April 15 order to โ€œshow causeโ€ and granted the second request, โ€œbecause the remedy when a party fails to timely respond to a complaint is the entry of default and default judgement, which the Third Circuit has repeatedly held is disfavored when a case can be resolved on the merits.โ€

โ€œHowever,โ€ he wrote, โ€œthat does not excuse the fact that Defendants failed to adhere to a deadline set by this Court and only sought leave to obtain a new deadline after the original deadline had lapsed.โ€

On Thursday, Henderson noted that it was the attorneyโ€™s first time appearing before the court for such a reason before discharging the order and cautioning that orders by the court are orders, not suggestions.

Chapman was first hired to lead the public-private University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park in 2018. His contract was renewed for a three-year term in 2021. According to the initial lawsuit he filed in November, the RTParkโ€™s board voted against renewing his contract a second time during a meeting last April.

He filed a whistleblower complaint against the RTPark โ€” which was established in 2002 โ€œto promote economic growth, development and diversification of the Virgin Islands and the broadening of the capabilities of the University of the Virgin Islands,โ€ according to the V.I. Code โ€” and its former board chair, Edward Thomas, in November, alleging statutory violations and retaliation. Chapman separately filed a discrimination lawsuit against the RTPark earlier this month, alleging that he was fired less than two months after he informed Thomas of a cancer diagnosis.

WAPA Reports Completion of Fuel Spill Cleanup, Strengthens Environmental Safeguards

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The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority announced it has completed major cleanup operations following a late 2023 fuel oil release that discharged approximately 4,900 gallons of No. 2 fuel oil into the environment.

Initial recovery efforts quickly removed a mixture of water and fuel oil, processed through WAPAโ€™s on-site oil-water separator system in line with environmental safety protocols, according to the press release.

Substantial cleanup was completed by May 2024, and additional long-term mitigation measures were finalized last month, according to a press release issued by WAPA. While the authority awaits final documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard, officials say water quality testing and shoreline inspections have found no further environmental impact

As part of its ongoing environmental protection efforts, WAPA has upgraded its oil management infrastructure, including installing new containment catchments designed to prevent future releases. Personnel continue daily monitoring and maintenance of the catchment systems and surrounding areas to protect public health and the local ecosystem, the press release stated.

โ€œWe understand the concerns this incident raised for our community and our environment,โ€ said Karl Knight, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. โ€œMy team alongside our local and federal partners have assured me that from day one, the priority has been to contain, clean up, and strengthen our systems to prevent future occurrences.โ€

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Coronavirus-Era Conspiracy

(Shutterstock image)
The defendant pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy at a hearing held Friday in District Court on St. Thomas. (Shutterstock image)

A Virgin Islands man residing in Georgia appeared in District Court Friday and admitted to his role in a scheme to defraud the government. Through his lawyer, defendant Raynaldo Oquendo pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud conspiracy.

Oquendo, 39, was the subject of an Aug. 7, 2024, grand jury indictment accusing him of taking part in a scheme to obtain funds through the Payroll Protection Plan. The payroll plan was set up during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The measure was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering economic losses caused by the pandemic.

After reviewing requests submitted by defense attorney Raul Bandas, the court accepted Oquendoโ€™s guilty plea.ย U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague also accepted a request by prosecutors to drop a second charge of wire fraud listed in the charging document.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise George read off the alleged violations the government was prepared to prove in court had the case gone to trial. At the end of its deliberations, the grand jury returned an indictment saying that the defendant used a computer belonging to a relative to help obtain COVID-19 relief funds on behalf of a St. John business owner.

At Fridayโ€™s hearing the prosecutor told Teague the government could prove the business owner filed the loan application overstating the number of workers. Records obtained through the V.I. Internal Revenue Bureau later disputed the claim and the salary amounts listed in the application.

Nonetheless, the application was approved for $383,397, George said; the funds were disbursed through a company called Bluevine, Inc. and deposited in FirstBank accounts based in the Virgin Islands.

Investigators identified Oquendo as the owner of one of the three accounts receiving $29,997 in PPP funds. Teague asked the defendant if the governmentโ€™s account of his actions was accurate.

โ€œYes, Your Honor,โ€ he said.

The magistrate said he would notify the judge assigned to the case that the change of plea was accepted. He also told Oquendo and his lawyer it would be up to the judge to pronounce sentencing.

The maximum sentence for wire fraud conspiracy is 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine plus court fees, restitution, and supervised release at the end of the prison term.

Bandas told the court his client intended to reimburse the government.

Tourism and Festivals Division Announce 2025 St. Thomas Carnival Honorees

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The Virgin Islands Tourism Department and Division of Festivals announced the 2025 St. Thomas Carnival honorees, each recognized for lasting contributions to Virgin Islands culture and community.

โ€œThis yearโ€™s honorees truly represent the essence of our culture, each one contributing to the vibrancy, history, and unique spirit of the Virgin Islands,โ€ Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte said. โ€œCarnival is a time to celebrate our heritage, and we are proud to honor those who have dedicated their time and passion to preserving and showcasing what makes us so special.โ€

This yearโ€™s honorees include:

  • Adult Parade Honoree: Charles (Shaka) Matthew
    Charles โ€œShakaโ€ Matthew founded the Shaka Zulu Troupe in 2002, aiming to create a meaningful contribution to Carnival. Inspired by African ancestry and tradition, the troupe began with four members and has grown into a major cultural presence on the parade route. Matthew, now 61, continues to design and handcraft attire using feathers, beads, and hides to honor the spirit of Mother Africa.

  • Childrenโ€™s Parade Honoree: St. Thomas Majorettes Inc.
    Founded in 2006 with 40 charter members, the St. Thomas Majorettes have become a celebrated youth group. Their debut in the Childrenโ€™s Parade launched a tradition emphasizing precision, pride, and performance. The group also focuses on academic success and personal development through workshops and mentorship, supported by volunteers, sponsors, and the Virgin Islands Department of Education.

  • Food Fair Honoree: Miranda Isaac
    Known as The Spice Lady, Miranda Isaac has spent more than 30 years at Market Square, building on her early work selling crafts with her mother, Leon B. Riley (โ€œSista Rileyโ€). Isaacโ€™s handmade spice blends are rooted in heritage and tradition, becoming a recognizable part of the Food Fair experience.

  • Village Honorees: The Pinney Brothers
    Willis, Vance, and Steve Pinney are honored for their contributions to Virgin Islands music and culture. Raised in a musical household by their mother, Melvina C. Browne-Pinney, the brothers helped establish the sound of Carnival through the Mandingo Brass Band. Willis, the founding visionary, led the group to regional and international stages, while Vance contributed as a songwriter and conga player, and Steve brought rhythm and voice to the performances.

โ€œThe 2025 honorees carry forward our proud tradition of recognizing the cultural pillars who shape and uplift our community,โ€ Ian Turnbull, director of Festivals, said. โ€œItโ€™s an honor to celebrate the individuals who continue to enrich the legacy of St. Thomas Carnival and make our culture shine.โ€

For a full calendar of events for St. Thomas Carnival, visit https://www.visitusvi.com/st-thomas-carnival.

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