38 past educators honoured @1st Living Legends Luncheon
The luncheon honoured retired educators from the 1960s and 1970s, forming part of the closing activities for Education Month 2026, and paid tribute to educators whose decades of service helped shape the foundation of the modern Virgin Islands education system.
Together, the more than thirty retired educators in attendance represented a combined century of service to the Virgin Islands’ students and schools.
Those honoured
To be recognised as a Living Legend, honourees must have served 25 years or more within the Virgin Islands education system.
2026 Living Legends Honourees included Altagracia Hodge, Belsadys Donovan, Beverly Braithwaite, Carren Mathavious, Caryl O’Neal Alexander, Cecily Malone, Debra James, Dr. Charles Wheatley OBE, Elmera Dawson, Elmore Stoutt, Enid Thomas, Erma Vanterpool, Ethlyn Ollivierre, Eugenie Donovan-Glasgow, Flosetta Harrigan, Gladys Scatliffe, Gracia Stevens, Geranium Stoutt, Josephine Callwood, Leona Hodge, H. Lynden Smith MBE, Yvonne Flores, Marva Martin, Medita Wheatley, Prudence Mathavious, Shirley Martin, Sylvia Adams, Ulric Scatliffe MBE, Wendell Stevens, Maruita Kupoluyi, Majourie Nibbs, Erlin Vanterpool, Irene Parsons, Margaret Ward, Elena Fahie, Ruben Vanterpool, Olive Vanterpool and Yvonne Nibbs Flores.
Honourable Mentions Recognised in Absentia were L. Adorothy Turnbull, Marion Levons, Huldah Parker, Dorothea Maduro, Dr Esmeralda O’Neal, Cecelia Turnbull-Cline, Lillie Shirley, Glorice Malone, Irma Smith, Adel Frett, Beatrice Penn, Ivy Chinnery, Lyra Hodge, Yvonne Dawson, Claudia Kettle and Joseph Vanterpool.
“You are the quiet architects of a loud and living legacy, the unseen ink in every signature of success,” Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) recited in her poetic tribute.
“We lead because you lifted. We stand because you stood — when standing was not easy, when resources were scarce, when recognition was rare, but responsibility was real.”
Hon de Castro noted that the luncheon was held to ensure that the educators who laid the groundwork for education in the VI were formally recognised and celebrated for their contributions.
Public assistance needed
The Living Legends Luncheon will now become an annual event.
Due to the limited historical documentation from that era, the ministry acknowledged that identifying every educator who served during the 1960s and 1970s remains an ongoing effort.
The ministry is therefore inviting the public to assist in identifying additional educators who served during that period.
Residents are encouraged to submit nominations of retired educators from the 1960s and 1970s who served 25 years or more in the Virgin Islands education system so that they may be considered for recognition at the next Living Legends Luncheon scheduled for 2027.
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14 Responses to “38 past educators honoured @1st Living Legends Luncheon”
I congratulate all the honourees. Well done!
Why is DR. PATRICIA TURNBULL name not listed here as well? I will save my commentary for after.
The best thing io do is just set aside a day for national retired teachers day and done . Keep it safe from going calling everybody names.
Anyway, thanks to all who blazed the trail