UVI Empowers Future Female Leaders to Tackle Social Issues in Annual Conference and Competition

At the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences successfully hosted its second annual “Young Ladies Learning to Lead” Conference and Competition. This innovative program is designed to empower high school girls from across the territory by equipping them with essential knowledge and skills for both personal and professional growth. The initiative also serves as a platform for them to showcase their leadership capabilities.

The event attracted a diverse group of female students from various high schools who initially took part in a conference dedicated to the development of self-esteem, empathy, authenticity, and an array of leadership styles. They were also trained on effective teamwork, public speaking, and preparation for academic pursuits beyond high school.

Following the conference held in late February, participants were given a month to prepare for the competition. The challenge required them to apply their newly acquired skills to devise solutions for social issues affecting the Virgin Islands, as highlighted by event committee chair Anna Clarke. The criteria stipulated that the social problems chosen should be addressable through the collective effort of the participants or the wider community, without expecting government intervention, and aimed at achieving tangible results.

On March 27, during the competition, contestants presented their proposals to a panel of judges. The standout presentation was by Savanna Holley of Good Hope Country Day School, who focused on combating youth apathy towards environmental concerns. She outlined significant issues such as the excessive use of single-use plastics, waste management challenges, and the pressing need for more accessible recycling options, coupled with the overarching threat of climate change.

Holley proposed a comprehensive strategy to engage and educate young people through community service, solution-focused discussions, educational clubs, and formal schooling. She emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of individual and communal responsibility towards the environment, predicting that such educational and empowerment initiatives would lead to heightened environmental activism among the youth.

The judges praised the high quality of all presentations, awarding Nadjah Jn Phillip of Gifft Hill School second place for her examination of social media’s impact on Virgin Islands teens, and Ne’Keyla Amey of Charlotte Amalie High School third place for her insights into dismantling the ‘who you know’ mentality for a more unified society. Donnalee Isaac of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School received an honorable mention for her exploration of abortion’s effects on VI teens.

The program invites 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade female students interested in next year’s conference and competition to contact Dr. Clarke for more information. This initiative underscores the University of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to fostering leadership and addressing community issues through youth engagement and education.