A total of 40 young persons have received awards and scholarships since the creation of the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows (VIEF) grant in April 2012.

The recipients have received awards for personal development in the areas of sports, the arts and academics.

Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said, “The Virgin Islands Emerging Fellow Award was established as a grant designed to prepare young Virgin Islanders for success by providing them with opportunities to enhance their skills and develop their craft through training, exposure and mentorship.”

The award also provides the Virgin Islands community with a structured avenue for parents and interested members within the Territory to seek public funding to support the aspirations of our young people. The ultimate goal of the award is to prepare the future leaders of these beautiful islands to lead with purpose, vision and a spirit of excellence.

Regarding the application process, young persons between the ages of 10 and 20 should submit applications after identifying development opportunities. Application criteria is categorised under four broad headings which are evidence of achievement, quality of proposed activity or programme, contribution to the community and the quality and breadth of recommendations.

Recipients are selected by a committee chaired by Education Officer, Mr. Arthur Selwood and comprising of eight other members - Clennell Vanterpool, Rupert Vanterpool, Aubrey Levons, Jessica Callwood, Paul Hewlett, Heather Butcher, Elecia Todman and Reuben Vanterpool.

Applications for the 2017 Virgin Islands Emerging Fellows grant will be accepted beginning November 2016.  

For more information or to obtain an electronic copy of the application, interested persons should contact Ms. Lorna Stevens at the Ministry of Education and Culture via telephone 468-3701, extension 3358 or email llstevens@gov.vg or email Mr. Arthur Selwood at ArthurSelwood@gov.vg.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is committed to creating a “Culture of Excellence”. 

NOTES TO EDITOR(S): 
Emerging Fellows from 2012 to 2016 include: Jahmal Alexander and Lakisha Warner in 2012; Trevia and Tynelle Gumbs, Makayla Maduro, Kalinda Collins, Devika Ramcharitar and Maisha Henry in 2013; Kerstin E. Gordon, Tahj Amani Malone, Tariq Maduro, Tia-Racquel Ronique Modeste, Shane Liburd, Sara Smith, Ariq Flax-Charles and Nia Douglas in 2014; Sylvanna LeRose Charles, Rebecca Nocholds, Keanu George, Kaveh Penn, Hunter Tory Christopher, Jackisha Rigobert, Kosay Jabre, Sapphire Flax-Clarke, Johanna Gibson, Izariah S. V. Frett, Adrian Taylor, Akeem Bradshaw, Terrell Glenroy Harrigan and Kadeem Keshawn Smith in 2015; and Anika Christopher, Jolene Bowens, Kaleb Calvin Dawson, Janae Aliyah Estridge, Amali K. A Graham, J’Sally O’Neal, Anwar Penn, J’Nique L. Williams, Whitney Janesha Smith, and Valique Graham in 2016.