First Observing System Buoy Launched by CaRA

The first buoy of the Caribbean Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System has been launched 1.6 miles south of the Puerto Rico coast. This is the first large instrument deployed on behalf of CaRA, the Caribbean Regional Association, in which the University of the Virgin Islands is a major partner with the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM). CaRA is organized under an agreement between UPRM as the senior partner and UVI. Others have joined the collaboration through a Memorandum of Agreement, signed in December 2007. A news release is available from the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu/.

Hundreds Enjoy Reef Fest 2009

"The Reef is Closer Than You Think” was the motto of the day on Sunday, May 17, 2009, as the First Annual Reef Fest, held at Smith Bay Park on St. Thomas, brought the community together for a common cause – preserving the territory’s marine environment. Sponsored by the V.I. Marine Advisory Service and the University of the Virgin Islands in partnership with, among others, the Magens Bay Authority, Coral World, the Lana Vento Charitable Trust, First Bank and Ackley Media Group, this day at the beach offered free snorkeling, kayaking, marine-themed games and exhibits. Those who stayed on shore danced to the music of JDPP Jammers, enjoyed a “reef Rap” contest, and sampled an array of delectable food and drinks. A good time was had by all. (VI Ecotours Guide Frank Galdo is holding a beached puffer fish)

UVI's 2009 Carnival troupe joins in the St. Thomas Carnival's Adults Parade on May 2. This year UVI goes green with the theme: “Let Our Energies Combine for Carnival 2009.” UVI students shown here model costumes for the Troupe's four sections which represent four sources of alternative energy: Shown are, from left, Crystal Schouten (Sun), Justine Charles (Wind), Ehjaylyn Henry (Earth) and Yaira Bermudez (Water). UVI Troupe t-shirts are on sale at the UVI Bookstore - Shirts cost $10 for children, $12 for adults small to XL, and $15 for adults 2XL. Click here to view a slide show with more views of the UVI costumes.

Francielli Baker Named Miss CYFAR 2009

Nine year old Francielli Baker was crowned Miss CYFAR 2009 during a pageant held April 4, at the Gladys Abraham Elementary School on St. Thomas. She was among five girls – ages six to nine – participating in this first-ever Miss CYFAR competition. CYFAR is the Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) program, a federally funded after school program administered by UVI’s Cooperative Extension Service. Baker also won the contest’s Best Talent and Miss Congeniality awards. Joining her in the pageant were Francier Baker (Best Evening Wear and first runner up), Majestik F. Estrada Petersen (Miss Photogenic and second runner-up), K’ Nyzha K. Henry (Miss Intellect and second runner-up) and Adajah Y. Benjamin (Miss Cooperative – and second runner-up). The girls competed in introduction, speech and dance categories. They also took part in a question-and-answer session and modeled sports wear, professional wear and evening wear. About 100 parents and friends were in attendance.

Photo by Dale Morton

Carice Glasgow Makes History As Miss UVI

Photo Montage by Evworth Charles

In a history-making pageant, UVI sophomore Carice Glasgow, a computer science major, was crowned Miss UVI 2009-2010 at the Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition held March 28, 2009. Glasgow's win marks the first time that a student enrolled on the St. Croix campus won the title. The competition's first runner up was JaeDee Caines. The second runner up was Christina Clement, who also won the Most Popular and Miss Congeniality titles. The pageant took place before a standing-room only crowd at the Cafetorium on UVI's St. Croix campus.

Dr. David Walton Presents A.O. Heath Lecture

More information on Dr. David Walton's work is available from this news release.

The University of the Virgin Islands competed in its inaugural swim meet of the 2009 season on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Alberque Olympico Natatorium in Salinas, Puerto Rico. Head Coach Kevin Tyrrell said the highlight of the meet was UVI competing in its first-ever relay. “We have worked for two years to field a relay team at a LAI league competition and the wait was worth it,” said Tyrrell. Team members, shown at the meet, are, from left, back row: Kamal Russell, Joey Barnwell and Marcus Sydney, and front row: Sanlin Robinson and Barrett Goff.

Wellness Center Groundbreaking Held on St. Thomas Campus

UVI broke ground for a new $2.1 million Wellness Center on its St. Thomas campus on Thursday, Jan. 29. The 6,200-square-foot building will feature exercise facilities, a dance floor, aerobics area, weight room and changing rooms. It will be located to the southwest of the Sports and Fitness Center. On hand for the ceremonies were, from left, Trustee Dr. Yvonne E. L. Thraen, President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, Acting St. Thomas Campus Executive Administrator LilyMae Durante, Trustee Roy D. Jackson, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Henry C. Smock and Athletic Director Peter Sauer. The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded UVI about $1 million to help fund the construction.

UVI Carnival Mass Camp Dates Set

Members of the UVI Carnival Committee met to plan the University’s “Going Green” floupe entry in the 2009 V.I. Carnival Adults Parade. Carnival Mass Camp will be housed in the Recreation Center on the Melvin Evans golf course the first Friday of each month – February 6, March 6 and April 3. Floupe registration and deposits will be accepted beginning February 6. It’s not too late to sign up for one of several sub-committees including planning, marketing, fundraising, costume design/construction and music/food/transportation. For more information please contact Junie Violenes at 693-1111 on St. Thomas or Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228 on St. Croix.

UVI Plants ‘Tree of Hope’

UVI President LaVerne E. Ragster plants the “Tree of Hope” on the St. Thomas campus on the occasion of the inauguration of 44th U.S. President Barack H. Obama on Jan. 20, 2009.