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.