Nonprofit News
- Mark Dworkin
- Aug 31, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 7, 2024
Nonprofit News
STX Foundation Awards
$22,000 in Scholarships
The St. Croix Foundation announced $22,000 in scholarships recently awarded to six St. Croix youth during a virtual presentation at St. Croix Foundation (SCF) headquartered in Sunday Market Square. The scholarships were made possible through the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, the St. Croix Educational Complex 20th Anniversary Reunion Committee Fund, and the Foundation Scholars Fund.
2024 Scholarship Recipients:
Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund:
One $4,000 Competitive Scholarship to 2024 Graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex awarded to: Jahnaiy Rodriguez, studying Physical Therapy at Florida A & M University.
Three $4,000 Invitation-Only Scholarships to rising seniors awarded to: Abigail Valery, studying Music Education at Temple University; Sanaa Burke, studying Meteorology at University of Delaware; Caliyah Helliger, studying Biology at Howard University.
St. Croix Educational Complex 20th Anniversary Reunion Committee Fund:
One $5,000 Competitive Scholarship awarded to: Ryan Ferdinand, Jr., studying Biomedical Engineering at Villanova University
One $1,000 Scholarship for 2023 recipient awarded to: Jayden Ferdinand, studying Psychology at Penn State University.
The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund was established by Junior Gaspard in honor of his grandparents. The Fund Aims to support youth who have met obstacles but persevere despite challenges. To date, the fund has awarded $84,000 to 15 young people.
Project Promise’s Salt River Bay
Program Celebrates 10th Year
Project Promise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youths on St. Croix has recently completed its 2024 Salt River Bay Program. This program gives local fourth graders the opportunity to visit and learn about the incredible history of the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.
The three-part program was designed by Project Promise Executive Director and Founder Resa O’Reilly Sheam. In Part 1, a Park Ranger comes to the school to provide an introduction to the park. Part 2, is the field trip to the park, including a Ranger-led nature hike and a fun scavenger hunt. Students love the way the program makes the park’s history come alive, with stories about Columbus’ landing, the famous skirmish between Europeans and indigenous people that took place at the Cape of Arrows, and more. In Part 3, the Ranger returns to the school for a post-experience visit, reviewing and reinforcing what was learned.
“We are thrilled, To be starting our tenth year of providing this incredible experience to our local students!” Resa O’Reilly Sheam shared with the St. Croix Times. “Over 5,400 kids have participated to date.”
All costs of the program, including transportation to and from the park, are being funded by a grant from the National Park Foundation.
