Vialet’s Second Annual Professional Walk Of Men Event Planned For Tuesday

ST. CROIX — Due to last school year’s overwhelmingly positive response from administrators, students and parents, Senator Kurt Vialet will host the second annual Professional Walk of Men, a press release Mr. Vialet’s office issued Tuesday makes known.

The walk happens on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., and will include, as was the case last year, professional males from various fields who will greet students at the St. Croix Central High School and the St. Croix Educational Complex High School with inspiring words of encouragement, welcoming the students back to their first day of school.

According to the release, the ultimate goal is to convey the importance of education and citizenship beyond academia.

At last year’s event, covered by The Consortium, successful black men from all walks of life were present: Pastor Reginald Perry, Senator Terrence “Positive” Nelson, employees of the Virgin Islands National Guard, 31st Legislature employees, Al “Daddy Jones” Baptiste, Jr., a superstar producer in the territory who’s also employed at the Senate here, and other outstanding community members.

As they walked through the meet-and-greet line, their hands being shaken by a sea of strong men, some of the students could be heard saying, “I feel special,” while others, coming in with a serious look, gradually began smiling — testament to the impact the event had on them.

“For some of the students, it’s the first time that they’ve seen a bunch of black, positive men that they have to confront and walk through,” Mr. Vialet, a former educator, who’s continued championing the importance of leaning after delving into politics, said. “So it’s better they confront these men instead of the negative, thug life behavior.”

Feature Image: Outstanding men in the community gathered at the St. Croix Education Complex last year to greet students during the first day of school. (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC)