St. Croix Celebrates Dedication and Success of Technical and Adult Education Graduates

Families and well-wishers gathered at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School auditorium for a pair of significant ceremonies on Thursday, honoring the graduates of the St. Croix Career and Technical Center and the St. Croix Adult Education Center. These events celebrated the dedication and resilience of adult learners.

The St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center saw approximately 170 students graduate, while the Adult Education Center celebrated 34 graduates. Among them, 33 earned high school diplomas, and one received a GED.

Numerous elected officials attended the ceremonies, including Senators Marise James and Diane Capeheart, who were present at both events.

In his address to the Adult Education Center graduates, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach emphasized the importance of staying in the USVI despite current outmigration trends. He highlighted the extension of the free tuition program at the university to part-time students as an incentive for graduates to further their education locally. “We need human capital now more than ever,” Roach stated.

Echoing the ceremony’s theme of “overcoming barriers,” many speakers, including Roach, acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by the students. Education Commissioner Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington remarked, “This is not an ordinary graduation. It’s a celebration of determination, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of education at any stage of your life.”

The Career and Technical Education Center’s graduating class included both adult and teenage students from local public high schools. CTEC Principal Yves Abraham commended the adult students, saying, “Thanks for making the sacrifice, thanks for being an example, thanks for being a beacon of hope and a role model for our youngsters.”

Chantal Browne, a local businesswoman and alumna of the CTEC cosmetology program, embodied the “beacon of hope” mentioned by Principal Abraham in her keynote address. “I took the skills learned in the cosmetology program and cultivated my life’s work,” she told the students.

The ceremonies also honored the top students of the graduating classes. At CTEC, Ishmeal Greenidge and Jenifer Martinez-Rondon received first and second honors from St. Croix Central High School, respectively. Meckayra Bruce and Ajhiba Williams were the top honors students from St. Croix Educational Complex High School. Additionally, four post-secondary students were recognized for sharing the same GPA. Andrew Adams and Victor Barnes received first honors, while Charles Baptiste and David Defour received second honors.

At the Adult Education Center, Shinah R. A. Herbert was named valedictorian, and Ta’Sha T. Bannis was named salutatorian.

Assistant Principal Betina Jules-Larocque addressed and debunked a common stereotype about the CTEC program. “There’s a misconception that at CTEC we welcome only a certain type of student: students who may have behavioral problems, students who may be struggling academically. But that is not the case. At CTEC we welcome all students—the best of the best—and they excel throughout the workforce,” she stated, receiving loud applause and cheers from the audience.

The ceremonies celebrated not only the achievements but also the potential future success of these graduates, marking a significant milestone in their educational journeys.