V.I.’s Top Graduates to Attend UVI

UVI students Lizbeth Carrasquillo and Ryan Shaw will attend classes this Fall on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Central High School valedictorian Ryan Shaw and Central High School salutatorian Lizbeth Carrasquillo had both decided to pursue higher education on the United States mainland – until they visited UVI’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Carrasquillo was always open to attending UVI, but selected a college in Florida. Then she attended “Preparing for the Next Generation of Hispanic Leaders,” a UVI – sponsored Hispanic outreach program held in June. That changed everything for Carrasquillo.

“Students were describing their experiences and I got to know people who actually enjoy their UVI experience,” Carrasquillo says. One of the student experiences that truly moved her was the story of a young man who didn’t think he was college material, until he applied to UVI. The young man enjoyed various experiences like participating in the University’s radio station, WUVI 1090 AM, and joining the UVI Bucs basketball team – realizing previously untapped potential. By the time the outreach event had ended Carrasquillo knew she was coming to UVI.

Carrasquillo will major in business. “I am excited for the new experience,” she says. She plans to take her first semester slow and focus on her studies until she can get a feel of what college life is like, then get involved in other activities at UVI in her sophomore year. After completing her degree, she plans to open her own business.

Ryan Shaw was encouraged by his neighbor to attend UVI. Still, he felt like he needed more information. “I went to Ms. Towal and I learned that UVI has more to offer than I thought,” he says. UVI Counseling Supervisor Patricia Towal told Shaw about UVI’s biology program and opportunities for research with other institutions. When Shaw left Towal’s St. Croix office, his mind was made up – he was coming to UVI.

Shaw has decided to start his freshman year on the Albert A. Sheen Campus and is looking forward to a smooth transition. Self-described as sociable and friendly, Shaw expects that his new living situation will be pleasant.

“I do enjoy a bit of research,” says Shaw, who is looking forward to taking on research projects while at the University. “I love discovering new things.” After earning his degree in biology from UVI, he plans to study medicine. He is still contemplating a field to specialize in.

Central High School Principal Janesee Sinclair supports UVI and says that the institution is comparable to any on the mainland. UVI offers a nurturing environment and puts students on the right track, she says. She added that UVI President David Hall and UVI’s faculty and staff are supportive of the students and families in the territory.

UVI provides scholarships for the valedictorians and salutatorians from Virgin Islands’ high schools.

In addition to Shaw and Carrasquillo, eleven other 2014 valedictorians and salutatorians have indicated they will enroll at UVI this fall. They are:

• Jakobi Peets - salutatorian, All Saints Cathedral School 
• Sherika Jacobs - salutatorian, Charlotte Amalie High School 
• Rodney Querrad - valedictorian, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School 
• Carishma Marsh ­- valedictorian, St. Thomas Seventh Day Adventist 
• Kamira Webster - salutatorian, St. Thomas Seventh Day Adventist 
• Jean Devera - salutatorian, Good Hope/Country Day  
• Amelle Williams - valedictorian, St. Croix Seventh Day Adventist 
• Shaquan Lewis - salutatorian, St. Croix Seventh Day Adventist 
• Cody Cook ­ valedictorian, A-Z Academy 
• Ameer Donaie - valedictorian, IQRA Academy 
• Huda Qattum - salutatorian, IQRA Academy

UVI welcomes all new and returning students for the Fall 2014 semester.

UVI Students Present their Work at Summer Research Symposium

The University of the Virgin Islands hosted the Summer Research Symposium on Friday, Aug. 1, in the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas Campus. The goal of the summer symposium is to showcase student research at UVI as well as other institutions. UVI undergraduate students Sheresia Gumbs (pink shirt), Krislen Tison and Sherika Alexis worked together to determine if frogs on St. Thomas were infected with Chytrid Fungus, which is hazardous to their health. About 17 presentations were made by undergraduate students. Some of their topics include:
Lionfish invasion
Parasite burdens of hair sheep lambs
The Extraction, Quantification and Toxicity of Citral from Lemongrass
Antioxidant Activity of Herbs and Spices
Telescopes & Limiting magnitudes
Weather patterns and Erosion in the USVI
Complexometric Titration using Platinum Sensing Electrodes
Foraging Patterns of of Elysia crispata
Intimate Partner Abuse of Women in the Virgin Islands
Conch Locomotion
The Cultivation of Thalassia testudinum and Halophila stipulacea For Conservation Motivation in Learning: Game-based vs. Traditional

University of the Virgin Islands student Yentyle Levet (right) presents her project on ‘Motivation in Digital Game-Based Learning.’ 

University of the Virgin Islands student Ruel Mitchel explains his research
on ‘Neutron Stars’ to UVI Mathematics professor Dr. Robert Stolz.

University of the Virgin Islands student Stephen Santana presented the results of his research on ‘Assessing Land Cover Change on St. Thomas.’ Santana was among many UVI researchers to discuss their work at the Summer Research Symposium in the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas Campus.

University of the Virgin Islands student Eliakin del Rosario (right) presented his research on ‘Malware Signature Detection: A Comparison Between Brute Force and Boyer-Moore’ on Aug. 1 at the Summer  Research Symposium.