"ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE” DIAMOND JUBILEE 60TH ANNIVERSARY STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY ELECTIONS SYSTEM
Submitted by on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 11:15pmSupervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes is pleased to announce the winners of the “One Person, One Vote” Diamond Jubilee 60th Anniversary Essay Contest. The contest, sponsored by the Elections System of the Virgin Islands (ESVI), was open to students in grades 7-9, attending public, private, parochial, and home schools territory-wide. The goal was to encourage young people to participate in the election process, develop a deeper appreciation for civic duty and learn more about the U.S. Virgin Islands unique history in fighting for universal suffrage.
Students were required to prepare an essay between 500 to 600 words on the following topic: What actions can you and your peers take to engage Virgin Islanders to actively participate in democracy, to get involved in elections, raise the level of civic engagement of their peers and to register to vote. The essays were judged by a panel of journalists. A total of seven students participated in the contest. The winners are as follows:
St. Thomas/ St. John District
1st Place – Ellis Wisehart – VI Montessori School/Peter Gruber International Academy
2nd Place – Widerline Jeune – Charlotte Amalie High School
3rd Place – VeNiya Callwood – VI Montessori School/Peter Gruber International Academy
St. Croix District
1st Place – Zion Moorhead – Pearl B. Larsen School
2nd Place – Ace Poyah – St. Croix Educational Complex
3rd Place – Jade Browne – Pearl B. Larsen School
First place winners were awarded a check of $200 dollars and a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Second place winners took home a check of $100 and a $50 Amazon Gift Card and third place winners received a $50 Amazon Gift Card. All participants received Certifications of Participation.
Supervisor Fawkes and the Board of Elections extend congratulations to the winners and all participants. “We are pleased with the thoughtful essays that were submitted by the students and their interest in civic engagement in our community. Everyone, no matter the age, is affected by the outcome of each of our elections. Youth who learn about voting early on are quite likely to become informed voters as adults. We are grateful to the schools whose students participated” said Fawkes.
The Elections System of the Virgin Islands continues to celebrate its 60th Jubilee Anniversary. “Thriving with Integrity, Elections System Celebrates Sixty!!” “Marking Milestones,” a one-hour television special produced by ESVI will air Saturday, March 11, 4pm_on WTJX-TV Channel 12, the territory’s PBS member station.
For additional information, contact the Elections System offices on St. Croix (340) 773-1021 and St. Thomas, (340) 774-3107.
- ESVI Essay Winner Zion Moorehead with Deputy Supervisor Terrell Alexandre, and VIDE Representative- Left to right: St. Croix District Acting Deputy Superintendent Karen Chancellor, Deputy Supervisor of Elections (St. Croix District) Terrell Alexandre, First Place Winner Zion Moorehead from the Pearl B. Larsen K-8th School, and St. Croix District Insular Superintendent Ericilda Ottley-Herman during winner presentation.
- ESVI and VIDE Officials with Essay Contest Winners- Left to Right (Back Row): Mr. Richard Wilson-ESVI Administrative Assistant, St. Croix District Acting Deputy Superintendent Karen Chancellor, Mrs. Tricia Johnson-ESVI Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Ulette Todmann Hodge- ESVI Senior Election Assistant, ESVI Second Place Essay Winner Ace Poyah- St. Croix Educational Complex High School, Mrs. Lisa Harris-Moorhead-ESVI Board Member, and St. Croix District Insular Superintendent Ericilda Ottley-Herman during winner presentation Left to Right (Front Row)- ESVI First Place Winner Zion Moorhead- Pearl B. Larsen K-8th School, Deputy Supervisor of Elections (St. Croix District) Terrell Alexandre, and Third Place Essay Winner Jade Browne-Pearl B. Larsen K-8th School.
- STX Contest Winners with VIDE Representative- Left to Right: St. Croix District Acting Deputy Superintendent Karen Chancellor, Third Place Essay Winner Jade Browne-Pearl B. Larsen K-8th School, ESVI First Place Winner Zion Moorhead- Pearl B. Larsen K-8th School, ESVI Second Place Essay Winner Ace Poyah- St. Croix Educational Complex High School, and St. Croix District Insular Superintendent Ericilda Ottley-Herman
- Pictured in 1st and 3rd place Winner’s photo are Students at VI Montessori and Peter Gruber Academy along with 1st Place Winner Ellis Wisehart and 3rd Place Winner VeNiya Callwood (Center). Deputy Supervisor of Elections for the St. Thomas/St. John District is Pictured in the Red Blazer to the right holding check.
- Pictured in the 2nd place Winner Essay Contest Photo are Members 2nd Place Winner Essay Contest Left to Right are Board Member Hendricks, Springette, CAHS Principal April Petrus, 2nd Place Winner Widerline Jeune, Member Hassell, Deputy Supervisor of Elections St. Thomas/ St. John District, Kevermay Douglas and Member Leerdam
- Pictured in the 1st Place Winner Essay Contest Photo holding the Certificate is 1st Place Winner Ellis Wisehart of VI Montessori and Peter Gruber Academy, her parents Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Wisehart and Deputy Supervisor of Elections for the St. Thomas/St. John District, Kevermay Douglas
