St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce the launch of two vital scholarship opportunities aimed at uplifting and investing in the next generation of leaders from St. Croix. Applications for the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund may be submitted beginning April 21, 2026, and are due on June 3, 2026.
Both scholarships are rooted in the Foundation’s commitment to educational equity, youth empowerment, and community transformation.
The Lang-Wise STEM Sch
olarship Fund will award a minimum of three scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to 2026 graduates from St. Croix public, private, or parochial schools. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher while providing proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university. Applicants will also be required to submit an essay that outlines the impact this scholarship will have on their ambitions and how their education will impact St. Croix and the global community, as well as upload a brief video outlining their educational and career goals.
The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund is designed to assist graduating seniors from St. Croix public high schools and will award three scholarships of up to $4,000 to eligible applicants. Established by Junior Gaspard in honor of his grandparents and their perseverance, all applicants will be asked to submit an essay describing a time they met and overcame an obstacle, and a brief video presentation describing their educational and career goals. Applicants must also indicate acceptance to an accredited institute of higher learning and maintain a GPA of 2.0 and higher.
The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund reflect a shared mission between St. Croix Foundation and the founders of the funds, Junior Gaspard and Raydiance Wise, to nurture the next generation by enhancing educational opportunities for St. Croix youth.
Since its establishment in 2022, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has awarded over $33,000 in scholarships to 15 young people pursuing degrees in STEM fields. The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund has awarded a total of $113,000 in scholarships to 24 students since its establishment in 2018. Notably, three recipients from this Fund were supported for the full four years of their undergraduate journey – they are now pursuing advanced degrees in meteorology, biochemistry, and music education.
Deanna James, President & CEO of St. Croix Foundation, stated that “These scholarships are more than financial aid — they are investments in the promise, talent, and future leadership of St. Croix. When our community gives back, we create pathways for young people to thrive, return their skills home, and transform the Virgin Islands.”
Application Process
Interested graduating seniors can find more details and instructions on how to apply for either or both scholarship opportunities on the Foundation’s website at https://www.stxfoundation.org/grants-scholarships/. All applications will be carefully reviewed by the St. Croix Foundation Grants & Scholarships Review Committee, and applicants will be notified of decisions by June 30, 2026. All scholarship recipients are required to report on their successes and challenges throughout the year to ensure that the funds continue to meet current needs and provide additional support as needed.
For assistance with the application process, students can contact Lilli Cox at the Foundation at lcox@stxfoundation.org or 340.773.9898.
St. Croix Foundation invites Virgin Islanders near and far to invest in our youth today. Each year, our young people remind us of a time when we stood exactly where our graduating seniors stand today: on the edge of possibility, carrying big dreams and even bigger questions about how to get there. St. Croix Foundation for Community Development invites every Virgin Islander to remember that moment and to show up for the next generation. To support the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund or the Lang‑Wise STEM Scholarship Fund, donate online at https://stxfoundation.info/GivetoAFund or call 340.773.9898.
The St. Croix Foundation extends its gratitude to local Crucians and advisors Raydiance Wise, Alice Lang, Junior Gaspard, and Anquanette Gasprad for supporting these scholarship funds, which are strategically empowering St. Croix youth. For more information about how to support these special funds, please visit www.stxfoundation.org or call 340.773.9898.