CFVI Awards $88,735 In Scholarships To 54 Virgin Islands Students

ST. THOMAS — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) held their 2015 Scholarship Award reception here on Thursday, August 6, at My Brother’s Workshop Cafe in Bakery Square, where 54 scholarships were awarded to Virgin Islands students totaling $88,735, according to a press release the nonprofit issued on Monday.

Scholarships awarded included the Lana Vento Fund which provided scholarship money both to graduate and undergraduate students.

Dee Baecher-Brown, president of CFVI welcomed the recipients and their parents, scholarship donors, and scholarship committee members to the reception.

The focus of this scholarship is to support those who are the first in their family to attend college and students who may have a particular interest in Marine or Environmental Science, according to the release. Additionally CFVI awarded ten scholarships to students from the Anna Greene Walsh Fund. Anna Walsh retired to the territory after a long career in social work in New York. Upon her passing, it was discovered that she left her entire inheritance to benefit students in the Territory.

Marie ThomasGriffith, Chair of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, reported that among the schools scholarship students will attend are Michigan Technological University, University of the Virgin Islands, Villanova University, Johnson & Wales, Northeastern University, Bryn Mawr College, the University of Miami, and American University. Recipients will major in a variety of fields of study, including Nursing, Hospitality Management, Biology, Economics, Environmental Engineering, and Pharmacy.

CFVI has awarded scholarships to Virgin Islands students since 1996. The Foundation is looking to get in touch with as many of CFVI past scholarship recipients as possible, and asks that “Scholarship Alumni” contact the Foundation at 774-6031 or visit our website at www.cfvi.net.

For almost 25 years, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands has been bringing positive change to the Territory through programs committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a full time staff and a Board of Directors composed of volunteer local community leaders, CFVI is a leading advocate and supporter of programs that give children the best starts possible while ensuring opportunity and sustainability for our community in the future.

CFVI operates or funds close to 50 community programs including The Family Connection, Kids Count data book, teacher grants, and emergency grants for families, for seniors, and for medical assistance. CFVI is a registered nonprofit entirely supported by individual donors, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning.