181 Students bid farewell to the Elmore Stoutt High School at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Elmore Stoutt High School has named Tarina Kenya Kenessa Roberts as its valedictorian. Photo: Facebook

Elmore Stoutt High School named Kaliq Teshawn Jennings as its salutatorian for the Class of 2026. Photo: Facebook

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) told graduates of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) that graduation day is significant not just for the graduates and their parents, but also for the development of a sustainable nation. Photo: YouTube

Speaking to the 181 graduates of the Class of 2026 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Thursday, June 25, 2026, he stated, “The lyrics of the Territorial Song, 'educating your people is the golden key to maintain the success of this territory', and indeed, this nation's success has been built on the foundation of a solid education.” 

He reflected on the past, acknowledging that there was a time in the Virgin Islands' history when there was no formal government-administered education. “We relied on the generosity of the Methodists and Anglican churches to educate our children. There was a time when only a handful of persons had access to secondary education,” he emphasised.

Premier Wheatley noted that it was not only with the introduction of the ministerial system—commemorating its 60th anniversary next year—and the leadership of the first Chief Minister and Minister of Education, Lavity Stoutt, that every citizen of the Virgin Islands gained access to government-administered secondary education.  

He asserted, “Some have regretfully promoted that we cannot be trusted to govern ourselves, but the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) is a powerful reminder that whenever we have been given the opportunity to have more control over our own lives, our people have benefited.”

The premier also urged the Class of 2026 to recognise the opportunities they have received through self-governance and encouraged them not to turn their backs on future generations, but to seek advancement rather than stagnation.

“Your government continues to invest in education, and I acknowledge the Minister of Education for giving good value for the resources invested,” he added.

Top students

Meanwhile, Elmore Stoutt High School named Tarina Kenya Kenessa Roberts as its Valedictorian and Kaliq Teshawn Jennings as its Salutatorian for the Class of 2026. 

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), announced that all 10 of the territory’s top graduating students came from ESHS, with 134 of the school's 181 graduates earning Honours or High Honours.

The Principal of Elmore Stoutt High School, Vannessa K. Garraway, stated that 73% of graduates received honours and that 100 of them are leaving with college credits from H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, noting, "They are already ahead of the game."