UVI VOICE 2.0 is a student-generated, online newspaper produced by the Communication division in the Department of Communication, Art, Theatre, and Music, at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands. The 2019 issue is a compilation of efforts by the Newswriting1 class, Fall 2019 on STT and STX.
Special thanks to Dr. Sharon Alert Honore, instructor/Associate Professor, and Mr. Gerard Howard, IT Director, Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Please forward comments/suggestions to 3082019@gmail.com. As always your support is appreciated.
UVI Voice 2.0 Editorial Staff and Contributing Writers
Indeyah Todman – Editor
Hometown: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Sophomore
Indeyah Todman is a Communication major at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Croix. She aspires to become a graphic designer and news anchor in the future. Ms. Todman possesses skills in graphic designing, video editing, and writing. Her hobbies are listening to music and watching YouTube videos. She loves and thanks her mother, brother, grandmother, grandfather, godmother, and all other family members who continues to support her throughout her life.
Dr. Sharon Albert Honore – Editor
Most Recent Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Titles: Faculty Advisor, UVI Voice 2.0 Editor/Associate Professor, UVI Dept. of Mass Comm.
Dr. Honore has taught mass/social media to students in higher education for many years (Houston, Prairie View, Baton Rouge, Augusta, Austin, Iowa City, Montgomery). She claims that her relocation to the USVI has presented “opportunities to work with some of the most interesting and brilliant students I have ever had the privilege to interact.” Honore asserts that UVI Voice 2.0 “offers a communication vehicle to showcase the immense talent and skills of students in the communication department.”
Hope Charles-Pierre – Sections Manager
Classification: Graduate 2019
Major: Communication
Hope spent much of her childhood years on the island of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and resides there. Traveling a lot, from an early age, and meeting new people has given her a love for communication. Being homeschooled for some years gave her a love and appreciation for writing. Presently, she is studying communication at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Carlos Eton
UVI Communication major and humorist Carlos Eton is inspired by motivational communication and psychology and aims to incorporate this newly-acquired learning in future professional leadership and creative development consultations. Prior to attending UVI, Carlos was a communications company leadership trainer, self-employed small business owner, project manager, recording artist, standup comic, comedy improviser, motivational speaker, video editor, web developer, computer programmer, and writer. He is currently the Random Safari Express Feature Columnist for UVI Voice 2.0.
Kyra Edwards
Hometown: Dominica
Major: Accounting
Classification: Sophomore
Kyra Edwards is a proud Dominican and co-founder of WePlanet Inc, a non-profit organization based in Dominica that develops innovative, incentive-based solutions that tackle environmental issues and raise environmental consciousness. While pursuing her associate’s degree, Ms. Edwards worked as an intern at the Create Caribbean Research Institute where her interest in communication was fostered. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of accounting and progress toward a career as a Forensic Accountant.
Gimel Pinto
Major: Communication
Classification: Sophomore
Gimel Pinto is an aspiring journalist in her second year of study at the University of the Virgin Islands. She is a member of the UVI Voice 2.0 and the HBCU-African Correspondents Corps. She believes that by pursuing a career as a writer, she will lead an exciting life, spread knowledge, and impact how community members see the most significant people, places, objects, and events.
Karon Reynolds – Sports, Arts and Culture
Hometown: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2022
Karon is a photographer with a business called KSR Photography and aspires to work in the social media or communication industry. Karon is very goal oriented and friendly and is from the island of St.Croix. He hosts a radio show called UVI First Take Sports Talk Show and recently became a member of NABJ-the UVIABJ chapter. He aspires to work in the radio industry or become a journalist. Karon is also an alumnus of the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute Conference 2020.
Keanu Jacobs
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Sophomore
Keanu Jacobs is a Communications Major with a diverse set of educational and creative experiences. Recent projects include the “Death Penalty” podcast, winner of the in ‘Best Radio Drama podcast” category in the 71st Southern Regional Press Institute conference, writing and poetry works, and moderation of SRPI and NAAS conferences. “My experience with SRPI was amazing and informative. I got an opportunity to moderate sessions and engage with professional speakers all over the world. Moderating sessions with SRPI and NAAS enhanced my confidence, oral communication and networking.”
J’Nise Gifft – Art and Culture, Student Affairs
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2022
J’Nise Gifft was born on February 2nd in Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. This energetic Aquarian currently attends the University of the Virgin Islands where she studies Communications. She hopes to pursue a job within the field, specifically public relations, communication management, or even broadcasting. In her spare time, she bakes, writes short stories, watches Tik Toks, cooks, and much more. Currently managing two growing businesses, J’Nise continues to work hard towards her communication degree. Her long term goals are to have two large successful businesses and to inspire others with the use of her communication degree.
Kalyna Nielsen – Art and Culture
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Sophomore
Hailing from Rock City, St. Thomas: Kalyna Nielsen, a 21-year-old, loves to perform and share her dance expertise with the community’s youth. She attends the University of the Virgin Islands on the St. Thomas campus while majoring in Communications. She is currently serving as Special Relations Director of the newly founded club UVI Association of Black Journalists. She aligns herself with the likes of a dragon because they symbolize wisdom, success, loyalty, fearlessness, strength and balance. All attributes she has or wishes to gain. Just like Kalyna, a dragon can make a wonderful ally or a fierce enemy. One of her long term goals will be to build a stronger dance presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands and obtain her own dance academy that not only specializes in classical dance forms but also cultural dance forms, like MoKo Jumbies, bamboola dancing, and even fire dancing.
Nadege Barber
Hometown: Dominica
Major: Marketing
Minor: Communications
Classification: Junior
Nadege Barber is a native of Dominica currently earning her bachelor’s in business management and a minor in communication. While at UVI, she had the opportunity to intern at companies such as INROADS and American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Nadege was recently a part of the pilot program called PROPEL, a plan that is working to empower students from HBCU’s across the nation, equipping them with the latest technology and other resources. She aims to use her experience and knowledge to show others what can be achieved and open doors for those that desire to utilize the higher educational system to achieve advancement and empowerment.
Johanna Gonzalez Weekes
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Finance
Minor: Communication
Classification: Senior
Johanna Gonzalez Weekes is a Dean’s List student in the school of Business at UVI pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and a minor in Communication. This student is well versed in many things such as being a Military Police in the US Army, Human Resource Assistant, softball player, and devoted to her studies whether military or civilian. She is the sole owner of Trend It 340, and was one of the companies who sponsored the 2022 Virtual Film Festival, Caribbean Cinematic and Arts Festival.
Catharine Seabrookes
Hometown: Nevis
Major: Education
Minor: Communication
Classification: Sophomore
Catharine Seabrookes, a scholar of legal studies re-routed her vigor to the field of education. Currently a sophomore at the UVI, she actively pursues a Bachelor of Education with a minor in communication. She previously earned an Associate Degree in Teacher Education with honors from the University of the West Indies at Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. As an educator and community activist on the island of Nevis, Catharine believes that a person “should never be too busy to contribute positively or make a difference.”
Kendrekus Jackson – Sports
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Major: Communications
Classification: Graduate – May 2022
Maxiene K. Cabo
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Classification: Graduate 2019
Major: Humanities
Concentration: Communication and English
Maxiene was born and raised on the island of St. Thomas in the USVI. She is graduate advisor to UVIABJ and an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Maxiene is also the former secretary of the universities’ Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. She aspires to be a Caribbean social media influencer and professional freelance journalist, focusing mostly on Caribbean Culture, Lifestyle, and People.
George Francis
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2022
George Francis is a 21-year-old senior who attends the University of the Virgin Islands. Born on St. Thomas, George has always had an interest in mass media. His desire to pursue a career in Communications blossomed when he joined his elementary school’s news team. Since then, George has engaged in many leadership roles where he has served as the public relations officer for a number of clubs and organizations and has played a major role in developing a communication strategy for each club/organization. Currently, he serves as secretary for the University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ). In his spare time, George enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies, spending time with family, and meeting new people.
Christopher McDonald – Campus News
Major: Biology
Minor: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2019
Christopher McDonald was raised in St. Thomas, USVI. He is currently the Student Government Association President of the University of the Virgin Islands. Christopher is outgoing, enthusiastic, and optimistic. During his free time, Christopher likes to read, write, draw, and explore. He is also involved with scientific research that ranges from environmental science to microbiology. Christopher is a biology major and communication minor. With communication, he learned how to communicate effectively which enhanced his passion for radio production.
Joi Thomas-Lewis – International News
Major: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2021
Joi was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a junior attending the University of the Virgin Islands. She is a multi-talented individual who has accomplished many things and aspires to work in many areas of communication.
Shane “M.A.D” Watson-Durand – Political Cartoons
Major: Communication
Born and raised on the island of St. Croix, Shane currently attends the University of the Virgin Islands on the STX campus. Where he goes to class and struggles with the simple but overly strenuous task of reading. Through several years of messing about in computer software, he has become quite the multi-faceted individual. His skills include video editing, graphic design, music production, audio engineering. He also has extreme amounts of patience when dealing with high-intensity situations such as putting a thread through the eye of a sewing needle. He currently dreams of becoming one of the most well-known music producers in the world with his “fall back” plan being to spend the rest of his days as a happy manager at a branch of Starbucks. He is also bad at math.
Lana Cuffy – Managing Editor
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2019
Lana Cuffy was born on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. She has a busy schedule with work, family, and clubs/organizations. This loyal, trustworthy young lady is very energetic and has a vibrant spirit no matter what time of day it is. She is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands, with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree with a concentration in Information Systems and Technology and a minor in Communication. As graduate advisor to UVIABJ she currently works at the USVI Department of Labor where she employs her communication skills, abilities, and personality.
Ahriya J. Fearon – Sports
Hometown: Miami – Dade County, Florida
Major: Communication
Ahriya Fearon was born in Miami Dade county on a nice sunny afternoon. Ahriya spends most of his time dealing with currency exchange and doing research on creating a perfect podcast, so he can sit and talk about all the things in the world that can be talked about. Ahriya is skilled in automotive technology which he sees as a hobby when he is on St. Croix. This amazing, straightforward, and bright guy will keep pushing with life until he is a self-made millionaire. Ahriya lives by this saying he created to push him everyday is “never try to be noticed, but let them notice your legacy.”
Shari Lewis
Hometown: Antigua
Major: Communication
Classification: Graduate 2022
Shari is a junior at UVI majoring in communication. She says, “I believe that words are powerful and so it’s is important to use them wisely.” Shari is currently a senior at the University of the Virgin Islands, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Her passion for helping people is the primary reason why she aspires to put her degree to use in the public service sector. Shari seeks to inject her vibrant and cheerful attitude wherever she is present. She carries a motto, ‘words are powerful so use them wisely.” Her leisure time involves spending time with friends and family, watching a good movie or show, or getting creative and crafty.
Nikiyah Gerson – Caribbean News
Hometown: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communications
Classification: Senior
Jada Roberts
Hometown: Trinidad, Port of Spain
Major: Biology
Minor: Art/Communication
Classification: Graduate 2020
Jada Roberts was born on the beautiful island of Trinidad, where her love for STEM progressed throughout her academic journey. She is currently a senior at the University of the Virgin Islands, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology (B.S.B) degree and a minor in Art. She often has a busy schedule with her classes, HBCU fellowship, research internship, and clubs/organizations. During her free time, Jada enjoys watching ocean and space documentaries, spending time with family and friends. Ms. Roberts wishes to become an anesthesiologist. She also wishes to do health disparities research at NCBI where she will be able to dedicate her communication skills to writing research papers on health in minority communities.
Michael C.V. Bell
Hometown: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Communication
Classification: Senior
Michael C. V. Bell is a stoic scholar engaged in the field of communications. Currently a senior at the University of the Virgin Islands, where he is actively pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in communications. He is also decided to join the NABJ. While his career path has yet to be decided, he also plans to obtain his master’s in business administration upon graduation. Michael is a fan of Japanese anime films and television series, manga, music, comedy, and entertainment. His dream job is to work in creative content at Netflix or In the Communication and intelligence department at the Central Intelligence Agency. Michael’s favorite quote comes from Jim Kelly: “Make a difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow.”
Hilary Gordon
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
Classification: Sophomore
Hilary Gordon is an interdisciplinary studies major at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. Her collegiate endeavors began at the University of Colorado Boulder, as an International Affairs major. It should come as no surprise that Miss Gordon’s love for travel and the pursuit of knowledge has taken her around the world as she believes, “The more experiences the better!”
Caleisha Simon
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Finance
Classification: Senior
Caleisha Simon is a senior who is currently studying Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance. Ironically enough, Caleisha has no hopes of getting into the Finance sector, but diving into Marketing or Communications. Although she does not have a career path set in mind, she would like to help make productions and films in the future. Caleisha would someday like to aid with the developmental stage and post-production. Her hobbies include painting and quickly remembering what cartoon characters people look or act like. Her values include creativity, authenticity, and kindness. Caleisha loves to listen to music and watch movies.