Teacher Joie Byrd Comes Home as the New “Ms. Veteran America”

Joie Byrd is crowned as the new Ms. Veteran America at the national competition last weekend.

A huge congratulations and Volts love goes out to our music teacher Ms. Joie Byrd, who returned after winning the national Ms. Veteran America competition in Orlando! Our entire community could not be prouder (as you’ll see in the video below).

Ms. Byrd, who leads VIMSIA’s Music Program, is a Staff Sergeant in the VI National Guard. As the winner, she becomes the official spokesperson for Final Salute, Inc., a nonprofit providing safe and suitable housing and resources to women veterans experiencing homelessness. Women veterans make up the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population.

“Lifting up these fellow veterans who have fallen on hard times really appealed to me,” says Ms. Byrd. “Plus, I was initially attracted to the idea of finding a larger network and community of women in the military. I was very positively influenced by a wonderful senior NCO (non-commisioned officer) in my former unit, and wanted to surround myself with more people like her. Once I learned of the greater mission of Ms. Veteran America, I was even more interested in participating.

She sees overlap between the values and characteristics needed to teach, and those being sought after in the competition.

“As ‘Ms. Byrd,’ I am teaching students critical thinking, problem solving, and empathy through the lens of music. As Ms. Veteran America, I utilize these same skills through the lens of advocacy. One of the main similarities is that as a teacher, you must meet students where they are and lead them forward. The advocacy work is similar, because you meet people who have varying understandings of the homelessness crisis.”

Ms. Byrd with VIMSIA staff and students at a benefit concert in August to raise funds for Final Salute, Inc.

Given her military experience, the mission of Final Salute, Inc. resonates deeply with Ms. Byrd.

”It’s important to me because I am a woman veteran myself, yet I was entirely unaware of the shockingly high numbers of other women veterans experiencing homelessness. I was surprised to learn that so few organizations cater to the specific needs of homeless female veterans. For one, many shelters flat out don't accept women. Others don't accept women who have children with them. This is particularly problematic knowing that about 70% of women veterans are also single mothers. Getting the word out about Final Salute Inc. is so important so that we can give women veterans a hand up to help them out of a hard situation.”

For the lengthy application process and road to her victory, Ms. Byrd says that it was strategic at every step.

“At first, I didn't understand why Ms. Veteran America was labeled as a competition and not as a pageant. However, after joining several months ago, it became instantly clear. This whole process from the application at the beginning of the year, to semi-finals in June, to finals last weekend, has been a job interview. Sure, we wore formal wear on a stage to assess our poise under pressure. Yes, we performed a talen to assess our willingness to step out of our comfort zones. Each step was crafted to assess our skills and select the best ambassador for Final Salute Inc.”

“The organizers did an amazing job of making this weekend fun and memorable. The first day was the most high-pressure as we completed our final interview and we're judged on our talent. After that, we had a wonderful "ladies night" where we were able to dance with new friends and relax after the stress of the morning. During our moments of down time, our cohort was able to swap stories and learn more about one another.”

As part of the application process, Ms. Byrd raised $4,070—which will provide 162 nights of transitional housing for homeless women veterans and their children. Now, she plans to spend the next year balancing travel and advocacy as the Final Salute ambassador with her military and school responsibilities.

“"People can support by spreading the word, donating their time, services, and skills, or making a tax-deductible donation directly to Final Salute Inc. Also, I will be hosting events on the island to raise awareness and funds (details to come).”

We love you, Ms. Byrd! Below, see the heartwarming celebration that the student body gave Ms. Bryd upon her return.

PGIA Paints Smiling Festive Faces

Lindsay Barr, Zia Gibbs and Maya Livingston volunteered to paint faces at the Lattes in Paradise Christmas celebration! Students were invited back to after a successful face painting session at the Lattes in Paradise Halloween celebration.

BEC Holds Toy/Clothing Drive for Nana Baby Home

BEC is holding a Toy/Clothing drive to help support NANA Baby Home during the holiday season.
They have a list of children who are now in care by gender, age and size.
BEC would need the donations by Friday the 20th but preferably sooner so the children can be apart of the wrapping process.

2018 Interact Induction

On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, seventeen Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) students were inducted into this year’s Interact Club, led by Axel Bartsch, President and Mrs. Michele Weichman, Dean of Students and Interact advisor. A beautiful and touching ceremony was held in the music room with guest speakers Rabbi Michael Feshbach, Peter Gruber International Academy Director Gloria Arpasi, and Rotary members Claudia LaBorde and Leonard Bonelli.

Rabbi Michael Feshbach led the invocation touching upon peace, what it means to show civility and respect to others, and respecting our differences as humans - whether it be physical or spiritual. His words resonated and left an impact on the audience especially right after the synagogue shooting in Pittsburg, PA which left 11 dead.

Rotary Club of St. Thomas Sunrise secretary, Claudia LaBorde explained the origins of Interact and its history. “Rotary wanted students to discover new cultures, to become school and community leaders, make friends locally and globally, and have fun while recognizing the importance of Service Above Self” LaBorde explained.

In 1962 Rotary recognized the important need to pay forward the passion that its members had for doing good within their communities to young people, the leaders of tomorrow. They wanted to empower young people to take action through community and international service projects, develop leadership skills and gain a global perspective that fosters world peace and cultural understanding.

On November 5, 1962, the first Interact Club was chartered at the Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida. Within a year there were 177 clubs in 24 countries. Today, Interact is open to students between 12-18 years of age, there are currently 20,372 Interact Clubs, and 468,000 members in 159 countries.

In 2010 The Rotary Club of St. Thomas Sunrise sponsored the establishment of an Interact club at VIMSIA. Last year was a challenge for students - as it was for all of the VI- Rotary understood that keeping Interact activities going in the face of all other challenges wasn’t a reasonable proposition. It was a very meaningful day to see new members inducted with the support of their new advisor Ms. Michele Weichman.

Leonard Bonelli Sr, better known as “Brother B” was born and raised in St. Thomas and a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School class of 1947. Brother B served in the US Army, Korean Conflict. After leaving the army he returned to St. Thomas where he served in various positions in the VI Government and private sector. Bonelli assumed the position of Club President in July 2018. With Bonelli’s help, he led newly appointment Interact Officers through the induction and officially named Axel Bartsch as President, Radiance Peets as Vice President and Kira Mitchell as Secretary.

Axel Bartsch, a senior at VIMSIA, spoke about his goals, visions and mentorship opportunities for the club and thanked his peers for joining the effort. Bartsch thanks Interact members for their efforts and accomplishment on the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign the club led throughout the month of October. Inducted into the club were the following members: Maia Aqui, Baianca Campbell, Tiffany Connor, Trevelle Connor, Devonte Duncan, Isaiah Jarvis, Jessica Paiewonsky, Javyn Potter, Toni Risker, Adia Thomas, Ariana Tyson, Mya Vigilant, Eliza Walker, and Mia Willis.

LaBorde encouraged attendees to always, “live your lives by the 4-Way Test”. When you apply it to challenges that face you, decisions you have to make, it will be your compass that will allow you to head in the right direction.

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

VIMSIA Receives Substantial Gift from Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation

On Monday the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation along with local subsidiaries Bellows International, West Indies Company, Dorchester Insurance Company, TOPA Insurance Services, TOPA Properties and Leeward Islands Management Company announced a substantial donation to the Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for Montessori and International Baccalaureate education.

The gift announcement was made Monday morning at the VIMSIA campus in the presence of students, members of the Board of Trustees and administration. Richard Berry, President of Bellows International, along with Theresa Fabela, President of Dorchester Insurance Company, and Michael Bornn, Head of School, facilitated the announcement.

Divina Kamra '24,  Vidhika Khemani '22, Zia Gibbs '25, Santiago Brunt '25, Richard Berry, Steve Morton, Tommy Brunt, Michael Bornn

“The generosity and kindness bestowed onto our school is the ultimate display of Meraki,” said Bornn. He explained that this year VIMSIA’s school theme is Meraki - a Greek word meaning to do something with love, soul and creativity, to leave a piece of yourself in your work, and to leave something behind. The donation made to VIMSIA’s endowment fund will provide faculty support, student financial aid, and operating funds not only now but for years to come.

“VIMSIA has played an incredible role in offering high level education to a highly diversified student body from across sections of St. Thomas and St. John. Many of these students attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the mainland as well as UVI” stated Fabela.

VIMSIA Director of Advancement, Pam Engle explained how these funds help make VIMSIA education accessible to all students and families who seek to participate in their globally acknowledged curriculum and international school community. “It’s been a difficult recovery for many amongst our community,” Engle said. “Our sincerest appreciation to the Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation for their kindness and generosity.”

The Marion and John E. Anderson Foundation is a philanthropic organization through which the Anderson Family supports educational, healthcare, and other community-based organizations including UCLA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and many other organizations.  The Anderson Grants in the USVI have supported teachers and their students for two decades.

Tommy Brunt, Richard Berry, Michael Bornn and Steve Morton

Jeff Bezos $2 Billion Charitable Initiative

PRESS RELEASE: AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY NY

We are thrilled to see the news of Jeff Bezos’s $2 billion charitable initiatives—the Day One Families Fund and Day One Academies—to fund existing non-profits that help homeless families and to launch high-quality, full-scholarship, Montessori-inspired preschools in historically under-resourced communities.

As a Montessori alum, Mr. Bezos—see preschool photo, at right—knows the value of this distinctive form of education, which nurtures the development of resourceful, independent, and respectful children who embrace a lifelong love of learning.

His vision to bring Montessori education to underserved communities, which is where it all began, more than 100 years ago, reflects the spirit of Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy, in which children are seen as the eventual purveyors of worldwide peace and social justice.

Dr. Montessori said, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

Through his actions, Mr. Bezos is carrying on her legacy by helping to realize that hope and promise for potentially thousands of children.

We at the American Montessori Society look forward to sharing knowledge, experience, and resources that will support his ambitious and transformative project.