This week, Governor de Jongh welcomed 10 student participants of his Summer Reading Challenge to a special congratulatory luncheon onboard the Disney Magic cruise ship in St. Croix and St. Thomas Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The students participated in the program over the summer and after reading twenty or more books, were randomly selected to join the Chief Executive onboard the cruise ship as a reward for their achievement. Each child was chaperoned by a parent or guardian.

“With this program, our goal was to encourage students Territory-wide to read more as an educational activity. Although the challenge was to read five or more books, these students went above and beyond that benchmark, and read over twenty books during the program. It was important to recognize their accomplishments and reward their achievements in a unique and special way This was a great day for the students, and I look forward to bringing back this reading program again next year."

On Tuesday, the following students from the St. Croix District joined Governor de Jongh and Education Commissioner Dr. LaVerne Terry onboard the Disney Magic cruise ship: Merlin Sarah Valery, Charles B. Valery, Caldena Louisa Blake, Chrystal Angelic George, Mireille O. Sankatsing-Smith, and Mikaela Sharifa-Joyce. 

On Wednesday, the following students from the St. Thomas/St. John District joined Governor de Jongh, First Lady de Jongh, Education Commissioner Dr. LaVerne Terry, and Education Assistant Commissioner Donna Frett-Gregory: Myroon S. Hosein, Sumaiyah-Nadira Richardson, Pamela A. Raymond, Diarra A. Raymond, Delta Matthews, and Diantha I.M. Matthews.

The 2009 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge was a partnership between the Governor’s Office, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education, and Learn-It Systems Corporation. Learn-It donated 200,000 books to the program, and all students who participated in the challenge received books for free.