ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I., August 2024 – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship. A total of $10,000 has been awarded to five exceptionally talented rising first-year university students, all of whom are pursuing degrees in various STEM fields.
The following 2024 Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship recipients received awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each:
- Sydney Philbert, Purdue University, Plant Genetics
- Ryan Ferdinand, Jr., Villanova University, Biomedical Engineering
- Jahnaiy Rodriguez, Florida A & M University, Physical Therapy
- Amonik Thomas, Howard University, Biology
- Keanna Alphonse, Texas A & M University Commerce, Forensic Accounting
The Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 by native Virgin Islanders Raydiance Wise and Alice Wise and is dedicated to supporting the educational endeavors of young scholars from St. Croix who have demonstrated a strong commitment to STEM disciplines. Each recipient was selected based on academic merit, a clear vision for their future, and a demonstrated passion for making a positive impact in their respective fields and ultimately, giving back to the Virgin Islands and global community.
Virtual Awards Ceremony Highlights
In their own words, the scholarship recipients expressed deep gratitude and a shared commitment to giving back to their community:
- Sydney Philbert: “I really appreciate being awarded this scholarship. It’s very hard to pay for college. It inspires me to keep looking for scholarships to bring down the cost of tuition. Thank you so much.”
- Jahnaiy Rodriguez: “I’m grateful to earn this scholarship. College is expensive and worrisome, but having a helpful hand like what you are doing for us really helps us on our paths of earning our degrees.”
- Ryan Ferdinand, Jr.: “On St. Croix, there is a dire need for advanced medical equipment, where we have to fly off island to receive the care we need. In athletics, there are injuries that ruin careers, and I want to make a positive impact on our community. I think it is admirable that the scholarship committee invests so much time in the youth, and I am thankful that you acknowledge our potential, our future, and invest so much into us.”
- Keanna Alphonse: “Going to high school and really getting to experience the distractions, unclean air, lack of maintenance, and always hearing we have money but never seeing how the money is being used—I decided that when I become a forensic accountant, I need to figure out where this money is going because I want future generations to have better than I have. Also, I want to thank you for being consistent with communications. A lot of scholarship committees don’t really communicate with you well, and it stresses you out. I hope that one day I can be like you, giving back to the youth, because it’s not just about saying what someone can do but empowering them to do it.”
St. Croix Foundation’s Scholarships Review Committee was astounded at the quality of 2024 applicants and was eager to find a way to support each young scholar. As such, SCF awarded a special scholarship through the Ludington Fund to Ms. Leyonna Maria Ravariere, who will be studying Biology at the University of the Virgin Islands this fall.
St. Croix Foundation also wishes to acknowledge the inspiring words of Raydiance Wise, a proud St. Joseph alumni, engineer and Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund Donor, who shared a powerful message with this year’s recipients: “To whom much is given, much is expected—sometimes we don’t realize how much we are given. We are born in the US, USVI, or grow up in the USVI, and we are given so much unearned privilege, and when I say that, I mean just the fact of where you are, where you grow up. You have the opportunity and access to so much, and there are people who do not. So keep this in mind, keep a certain civic mindfulness, and think of how you can have an impact on our community because, really, this should be a world that works for everybody. We have the opportunity to give a hand up where possible, so keep this in mind.”
St. Croix Foundation extends its deepest appreciation to the Lang-Wise family for their deep engagement, unwavering support and commitment to nurturing the next generation of STEM professionals. Their generosity ensures that a growing number of young scholars have the financial support they need to pursue their dreams and contribute to the global community. SCF urges community members to donate to The Lang-Wise Fund so that together, we can amplify our impact, empowering even more young leaders to achieve their full potential and drive positive change in the world.
For more information about the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund or to learn how to support similar initiatives, please visit the Foundation online at www.stxfoundation.org or call 340-773-9898.