New College Scholarship Available For St. John Students

ST. JOHN, USVI — A new scholarship is available for St. John students who are headed off to college. Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park announced the Noble Samuel Scholarship this month, which awards $2,500 per semester and includes a paid internship opportunity with Friends to gain conservation-related work experience.

"The Noble Samuel Scholarship is endowed by anonymous donors inspired by a man who generously shared his love for our park with passion and humility," reads a statement about the scholarship. "The scholarship is aimed at St. John youth who need encouragement to attend college (the University of the Virgin Islands or another university)."

Noble Samuel was a Ranger in Virgin Islands National Park and a Senator at Large in the Virgin Islands Legislature. The Friends shared his full biography on their website.

One scholarship is available for the 2021-2022 school year and applications will be accepted starting October 1, 2021. Eligible students should have a minimum of a B average in high school and maintain a minimum performance goal of a B average or showing consistent improvement towards a minimum B average within the 1st year at the university to be eligible for renewal.

The application requires an essay and two letters of recommendation, one of which is from a teacher. The essay portion of the application will ask the questions below:
1. Why does the Virgin Islands National Park matter to you? Share personal experiences in St. John that have inspired you to protect and preserve its natural and cultural resources.
2. What do you want the VI National park to look like in 20 years? How would attending college (at UVI or another university) help you achieve that vision?

For more information, visit the scholarship website.

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