UVI Student Spotlight- Elijah Salem and Jhamori Sargeant

                                            Elijah Salem (left) and Jhamori Sargeant (right)

Students, Elijah Salem and Jhamori Sargeant, of the North Dorms brought victory to the Invaders. After rapping four song selections, Salem and Sargeant beat the crowd leaving an impression on the audience’s ears. 

After two nights of practice, the duo's performance gained lots of head nods and cheers. Salem, a senior studying Communications, performed with Sargeant, a junior studying Marine Biology, showed their XFactor the night of Oct. 7, at the OEK Dining Hall on St. Thomas.  

Every year, the battle of the dorms takes place, revealing the creativity and dancing ability of residents. This year, the goal was to enhance student engagement and thus a talent show was presented. In the past, stepping and mini marching band performances bent the necks of eager students. North Dorms emerged victorious with the 2023 title, much to the delight of attendees.  

Balancing school and work, each half of the duo records music to transform it into a lifestyle. There is no doubt that the effort was poured into their performances. Both students have shown active participation from their first year and continue to shed light to their peers.  

Salem stated that he loved the energy and feedback they got from the crowd. “Songs that took days and hours to work on feel like everything is paying off once you get on stage and feel the same energy reciprocated from the crowd.” 

Sargeant went on to say that he wants his peers to become motivated from [their] performance and take every opportunity to showcase their talents. "My favorite part of performing is the crowd's reaction when I'm finished. Any negative thought or doubts I had at the beginning seem to disappear at that moment."   

“We practiced two nights before the show, working on the choreography of our performance and song transitions. We both enjoyed it, but it definitely was an event that needed [more acts]. It ended before it could really get started, but I had fun nonetheless.” says Salem. 

Sargeant wants to emphasize to students that “If you stay in your room, the campus will never have anything to do.” 

“I want more students to know that UVI offers more than just an education for those looking to earn a college degree. They also offer opportunities to help others work towards their strengths while being a good center for students to work on their weaknesses,” says Salem. “I plan to have a global takeover with my musical talents. I do not know how right now, but I do know [if] I keep finding discoveries like the talent show to put my name out there, my effort and songs will be recognized. This is just the beginning.”

Sargeant loves collaborating with other artists to create new sounds or ideas he would not have created alone. “It does not stop here; music has been a consistent theme in my life from elementary school. Right now, I am working towards my music being heard across the world. Friends and strangers have told me I have what it takes to become a well-known artist, and I too believe it myself.” 

UVI Student Spotlight Features SaVaughna John-Baptiste

"Step Out of Your Comfort Zone --  You'll Never Know the Opportunities You Will Get."

When pre-nursing student SaVaughna John-Baptiste responded to a on-campus job posting for an agronomy research assistant at UVI's Agricultural Experiment Station, she was just looking for a way to earn some extra money. She never expected the experience would change her course of study and put her on a completely different career path.


"I was more comfortable with an office job. I didn't see myself working in the field or testing soil samples in a lab," she explains. Ten months later, SaVaughna has extended her work contract and switched majors to focus on her newfound interest in horticulture. "I really find it interesting and I'm actually learning something," she says about her research work. Her enthusiasm for the field is evident. "Her quickly developing interest and abilities in scientific experiments and scientific thinking is remarkable," says her instructor and research specialist David Hensley. SaVaughna recently participated in UVI's 24th Annual Student Science Research Symposium to present her research about water use efficiency. She hopes to conduct new research and present at a conference in the Dominican Republic next year.


"Before this experience, I had a closed mindset," says SaVaughna. "I wasn't really open to trying new things. But I've learned you have to step out of your comfort zone -- you never know the opportunities you will get." SaVaughna is now considering a career in Horticultural Therapy where she could engage others in gardening and other plant-based activities as a means of therapy and healing. "This career would allow me to combine my interest in horticulture with my desire to help others improve their health."


A St. Croix native, SaVaughna, lives near campus and says she loves spending time at UVI. When not taking classes or working, she enjoys playing pool in the game room and is looking forward to participating in the Student Government Association again this year.

UVI Student Spotlight - Sherritza Peterson

Sherritza Peterson

With a bachelor's degree in psychology from Florida State University, and practical experience as a social worker in St. Maarten, Sherritza Peterson wanted to “better meet the needs of the client population” on the island. “There is so much more that can be done to serve our youth,” she says.

So, she enrolled in a master's degree program in Counseling & Guidance with the University of the Virgin Islands at the St. Martin campus, thanks to a memorandum of understanding between the schools that allows students in St. Maarten to earn a UVI degree. “UVI was my first choice,” says Peterson who visited the St. Thomas campus and found it “warm and friendly.”

Peterson remained on St. Maarten to continue her job at the Student Support Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, while she attended UVI courses via Zoom. “The program is flexible. My professors and colleagues connected with me well,” she says about distance learning. Peterson earned her master’s degree in 2021, however when she learned that UVI had developed another related master’s program in School Counseling, she decided to enroll in that too. She attained her second master’s degree in May 2023.

“These programs have helped me immensely to apply what I’m learning to my day-to-day work and to provide quality services,” she says, noting coursework on multicultural counseling and professional and ethical issues in counseling were especially useful.

In her professional role, Peterson provides social work and school safety services to many of the government and government-subsidized schools in St. Maarten. She also liaises with external organizations and parents. “I am in the field of my dreams,” she says. “I come to this field as a whole person with love and passion to help support my clients and my community.”

“These programs have helped me immensely to apply what I’m learning to my day-to-day work and to provide quality services” - Sherritza Peterson

Peterson sees today’s young people as “innovative and resilient” and advises them that “mental health support can come in different forms such as a coach or teacher – all of that contributes to your wellbeing.” She encourages the youth to make use of school care teams including school counselors and get engaged in different activities and social clubs to become exposed to different people and to know that hope is not lost. She also believes that support from the community is necessary to help youth thrive.

Peterson is thankful to all the UVI faculty and staff who played a pivotal role in her education including Dr. Karen Brown, dean of the School of Education; Dr. Xuri Allen, assistant professor of Education and program director MASC; Marva Sam, UVI@USM liaison; and Olga Mussington-Service, manager Student Support Services Division.

In March 2023, Peterson was recognized for her outstanding achievements with the Scholarly and Productive Graduate Student Award.

UVI Student Spotlight - Yolande Longmore Richards

For 18 years, Yolande Longmore Richards was a dedicated teacher, beginning her career in Jamaica and relocating to the Virgin Islands to teach on St. Croix. But a major life change caused her to shift course to a new career where she would be able to help people in new ways. After giving birth to her daughter in 2017, Yolande experienced postpartum depression and went for a long period without getting help. "I had no knowledge of the illness and not much support," she recalls. She eventually overcame the depression and wanted to help other women who were going through it. "I know what it's like to need help, so I decided to be a person that can help others."

As a full-time UVI sophomore in the School of Nursing, Yolande is working hard towards that goal and already making a difference. In addition to her full course load, she is gaining hands-on experience doing clinicals at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital where she has earned a reputation for her caring and compassionate attitude.


After finishing the program, Yolande hopes to become a theatre nurse working in the operating room or possibly continuing her studies to become an anesthesiologist. 

"The nursing program is not easy, but I have developed a fearless mentality," she explains. "Our professors are good and take you out of your comfort zone to help you grow. With strength from God, and the strong support of my husband, classmates and professors, I am able to keep going."

 

UVI Student Spotlight Features - Ariel Joseph

Ariel Joseph

Ariel Joseph is out to make the world a better place. Her long-term goals include becoming a family lawyer and focusing on issues that impact families, especially children. In the meantime, she has set her sights on making UVI a more exciting place for fellow students. 

Ariel leads New Student Orientation activity

As the Student Government Association President, Ariel advocates on behalf of the student body making sure their needs are heard. One of the projects she's working on is proposing ideas to "bring more joy to campus." 

With events like teacher vs. student contests, volleyball games and water activities, Ariel hopes more students will stay on campus and have more opportunities to bond and network. 

 

"UVI is more than academics. We have fun and we are a family."

 She shares that, "Her advice to new students is "No matter what, UVI is a home. It doesn't matter the progress you make, it's that you continue to try."

Ariel participates in Student Government Association Mixer event

Ariel and fellow students pose at Wear Pink Day event on AAS Campus