Federation’s scholars celebrate Independence at UVI

By Shawn Seabrookes
Senior Reporter-SKNVibes.com
 
St. Thomas, USVI - THE University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) St. Kitts-Nevis Association celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the twin-island state in grand style, simultaneously with residents of the Federation on Independence Day, September 19.

While the traditional armed and unarmed forces parade, fireworks display and freedom concert were some of the marquis events to commemorate the Silver Jubilee at home, Kittitian and Nevisian students manned a patriotic booth at the UVI St. Thomas Campus.
 
Others students showed tremendous interests in the booth as it showcased the national wear, national dish, other common foods such as cook-up, guava cheese and fudge, and local beverages. Various souvenirs displaying the national flag were also on display and visitors to the booth were also given the opportunity to win patriotic trinkets and shirts.
 
According to St. Clair ‘Penny’ Hodge, President of the Association, each member was excited about celebrating the 25th Independence Anniversary, as it was testimony to the great strides made in the country’s development. He noted that the celebration also generated an increased sense of pride.
 
“We are a proud people. All of us know that we are ambassadors of our country and we have pledged to do whatever we can to promote our twin island state,” Hodge, a resident of Cayon, St. Kitts, stated.
 
Vice President of the Association, Jaedee Caines, a resident of Nevis, was similarly excited about the Independence celebrations.
 
“Our Independence suggests our ability to address global issues as a small developing nation. Our resilience is well documented and our natural will to excel has been the premise of an excellent reputation at UVI,” she boasted.
 
The milestone had a visible positive impact on all Kittitians and Nevisians on campus and their pride radiated throughout the entire institution.  ~~Adz:Left~~
 
“It is a momentous achievement and every Kittitian and Nevisian is bursting at the seams with pride. This momentous occasion is indicative of the high aspirations we have of facing the coming years with confidence,” Lyle Gumbs, a member of the Association from St. Kitts, added.
 
The UVI St. Kitts-Nevis Association boasts a membership of approximately 35 students. One of the major objectives of the group is to cultivate a comfortable environment where students can successfully complete their tertiary level education while fostering very healthy relations with their colleagues from other countries nationalities and, at the same time, underscoring the need to showcase Kittitian and Nevisian traditions and cultural practices.

The Association is actively involved in a number of educational, social and academic programmes on campus.