Cancryn Junior High Hosts Congresswoman Plaskett In ‘Lectures In Excellence Series’

ST. THOMAS — Students at Addelita Cancryn Jr. High School are being introduced to local leaders in government, law, business and other fields as part of the school’s new “Lectures in Excellence” speaker series that was launched in September, according to a press release the Department of Education issued late Monday.

On October 15, approximately 60 seventh and eighth grade students enjoyed a 1-1/2-hour session with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, who was in town to speak to students and tour the school.

“With Lectures in Excellence, we bring in people who have achieved, and can be heroes and sheroes to our students, and who serve as inspiration for doing well,” explained Principal Lisa Forde.

Forde said the Congresswoman “spoke with the children about what she has done, how education played a big part in crafting who she is and how it helped to get her to become the Delegate to Congress for the U. S. Virgin Islands.”

Additionally, Forde said Congresswoman Plaskett discussed the characteristics students need in order to succeed, and advised students to “dig deep” if they do not yet have them. “These are courage, determination and of course you’ve got to study and do your reading,” the longtime principal said.

The Congresswoman was the ninth guest in the Cancryn speaker series and Forde said her visit was well received by students, particularly the young girls.

“The Congresswoman was inspirational for our girls,” Forde said. “Two girls who ate at the table with her kept asking her, ‘So, you’re really over the Governor?’ They could not understand that there was a woman that was holding such a high position. It was really inspirational for our young girls to have time with her and have her speak with them.”

Before wrapping up her visit, Congresswoman Plaskett enjoyed a meal with students in the school’s cafeteria.

“It was raining. She walked through the rain with the students, sat down and ate lunch with them. It was amazing. It was great that the Congresswoman did that. It really meant a lot to the students,” Forde said.

“We have found that the lecture series have opened our students’ eyes to see people who have had very humble beginnings, who have attended public schools, some of them, and they’ve managed to achieve,” Principal Forde continued. “They’ve also seen that there is one common thread, and that’s education, in all of the individuals becoming who they are. The children are now beginning to understand the importance of education.”

Speakers who have participated in the ‘Lectures in Excellence’ series include radio/television personality Rashidi Clenance and Judge Harold Willocks of St. Croix, among others.