St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is proud to announce the recipients of $28,000 in scholarships awarded to eight exceptionally talented, rising first-year university students in a Virtual Awards Presentation held on July 7th, 2025. Scholarships were awarded through the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund and the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund.
Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund
In 2025, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund awarded a total of $10,000 in awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to five youth whose talent, skill, and leadership will allow them to contribute to the Virgin Islands and the Global Community:
- Curtis Charlery, Jr., George Washington University, Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Vivia Webster, Tulane University, Major: Biochemistry
- Nia Francis, Tennessee State University, Biology
- Nakai Theodore, University of the Virgin Islands, Major: Nursing
- Nathan Langley, New York University, Major: Mechanical Engineering
Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund|
The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund awarded a total of $18,000 to six outstanding young people who demonstrated their ability to persevere against the odds to meet their goals.
- One Invitation-Only Scholarship was issued to Jahnaiy Rodriguez to support his second year studying Physical Therapy at Florida A & M University.
- Five Competitive Scholarships, ranging from $1000 to $4000 each, were awarded to:
- Nia Francis, Tennessee State University, Major: Biology
- Nayelis A’Shante’ St. Omer, Tuskegee University, Dual Major: Architecture & Construction Management Science
- Vivia Webster, Tulane University, Major: Biochemistry
- J’Neolise Sirraya Green, Winston-Salem State University, Social Work
- Curtis Charlery, Jr., George Washington University, Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Taking advantage of an early start, Curtis Charlery, Jr., an ambitious scholarship recipient for both funds, matriculated over the summer. In his pre-recorded statement, he described the impact of community-rooted philanthropy.
“These scholarships mean more to me than just financial assistance. They are an investment in my future, and they give me the support and confidence I need as I begin my first year of college. Because of your generosity, I can begin this experience focused and determined, not burdened by financial stress. Your support is not only opening doors for me but also showing me that people believe in my potential. That is a gift I will never take for granted.”
Fund Background and Impact
Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund
The Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund, now in its third year, continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Established by Crucian Raydiance Wise, herself an aerospace engineer, the Fund’s purpose is specifically designed to offset unexpected expenses for first-year university students. At the heart of this fund’s purpose lies philanthropy itself, with each applicant being asked to describe how they envision themselves giving back to the Virgin Islands and on a global level. Since 2023, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has awarded $41,900 to 15 ambitious St. Croix graduates studying forensic accounting, plant genetics, aerospace engineering, and more. To expand opportunities and access, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has also awarded grants to STEM-related youth organizations such as the St. Croix Rocketry Association.
Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund
The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund was established in 2018 by Junior Gaspard, a distinguished alumnus of Central High School and John H. Woodson Junior High School. Created in honor of his grandparents, one year after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Fund embodies a spirit of resilience and determination. Patrick Williams, a trailblazer who moved his family from St. Vincent to St. Croix, and Amelia Williams, who faced the challenges of losing her eyesight with grace and courage, serve as inspirations for this Fund. It aims to support public high school graduates who have encountered and overcome significant obstacles, empowering them to pursue higher education and achieve personal and professional success. To date, the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund has awarded $113,000 to 24 young people pursuing a diverse range of degrees, from social work and music education to biochemistry and meteorology. Of those young people, seven were invited back for one to three more years of support, ensuring that as studies become more intensive and financial aid decreases, awardees receive sustained support that is critical to success.
St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, stated that “Each year, St. Croix Foundation continues to intentionally cultivate coherence within our scholarship fund portfolio to nurture a pipeline of support for our young people. By continuously assessing the landscape and adapting our approach, we strengthen the foundation for a resilient, thriving future for the Virgin Islands. The candidates for this year’s scholarship exemplified perseverance, ambition, and represent diverse fields of study – all of which are directly related to their experiences growing up in the Virgin Islands and their commitment to give back.”
St. Croix Foundation wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation to the Donors and Advisors of the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund and the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, as well as the Foundation’s Grants & Scholarship Committee for their time and care in evaluating applications. For more information about how to support these special funds, please visit the Foundation online at www.stxfoundation.org or call 340-773-9898.