The University of the Virgin Islands’ St. Thomas campus in Charlotte Amalie hosted a fundraising event called “Afternoon on the Green” on Sunday, which transformed the campus into a culinary paradise. Over 100 cooks served their specialty dishes at the Herman Moore Golf Course, supporting educational assistance for promising high school students in St. Thomas.

The Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship fund, named after local businessman and Chairman of the UVI Research & Technology Park Board Edward Thomas, supports students who have demonstrated commitment to community service. Each year, the annual “Afternoon on the Green” event raises funds to award two St. Thomas high school seniors with scholarships to study at UVI in their chosen fields.

This year, Jadynn Sibbily and J’Kayla Bastian were selected as scholarship recipients, pursuing bachelor’s degrees in journalism and marine biology/English, respectively. Bastian, a senior at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, praised the UVI on the Green event for showcasing the Virgin Islands’ uniqueness. Sibbily, a senior at Charlotte Amalie High School, expressed gratitude for the recognition and appreciation for the event and its creators.

Cooks at the event offered a wide variety of local Virgin Islands dishes, including saltfish cook-up, peas soup, chicken, shrimp and lamb roti, banana fritters, turkey kalalloo, and goat water. Desserts featured delectable Vienna cakes, cornbread, passion fruit angel cake, and assorted cupcakes.

New this year was a demonstration cooking station with chefs Larry Nibbs and Taj Siwatu. In addition to the food, patrons enjoyed musical entertainment by Cool Session Brass and other popular acts, dance group performances, and appearances by St. Thomas.

Patrons, organizers, and proud cooks alike expressed delight at the return of the community favorite, which has been a calendar staple for the past 30 years. Dr. Kyza Callwood, who chairs the event planning committee, highlighted the event’s impact, stating, “The event is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to improve the lives of students because all proceeds benefit scholarships.”

With a blend of food, entertainment, and community spirit, the “Afternoon on the Green” event not only showcased the best of the Virgin Islands but also contributed significantly to the educational advancement of its young residents.