Government House held its annual Academic Excellence Awards ceremony and reception Wednesday evening, where Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. encouraged honorees to pursue ambitious goals, return home after their studies and help shape the territory’s future.
The ceremony honored academic achievement among some of the Virgin Islands’ top graduating students and also highlighted Charlotte Amalie High School student Ta’Mya Davis, who recently earned first place in the senior division of the 2025 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Foundation Children’s Essay Competition.
Assistant Education Commissioner Victor Somme III opened the ceremony by congratulating the territory’s graduating valedictorians and salutatorians and encouraging students to continue growing beyond graduation.
“Life is a journey,” Somme said. “Do not stop growing once you get your diploma.”
Speaking during the Government House Academic Excellence Awards ceremony Wednesday evening, Somme told students that education was something that could never be taken away from them.
“School has provided you with invaluable education that you will carry with you for the rest of your life,” he said. “They can take everything else, but they cannot take what you learn from you.”
Somme also encouraged students to make decisions based on their own goals and ambitions.
“From this day forward, make each decision with your best interest in mind,” he said. “Believe in yourself, so that you can reach your goals and fulfill your dreams.”
In closing remarks, Somme urged students to recognize their opportunities and shape the future around them.
“Remember that this world is more malleable than you think, and it is waiting for you to hammer it into shape,” he said.
Deputy Tourism Commissioner RoseAnne DeFreitas also addressed students during the ceremony, describing the room as filled with “greatness, intellect and innovation” and said the territory’s future leaders were among the honorees. “The future is bright,” she said.
DeFreitas then recognized Charlotte Amalie High School senior Ta’Mya Davis, who recently earned first place in the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association essay competition against students from across the Caribbean and Mexico.
According to DeFreitas, Davis is a former elementary school salutatorian, a three-time pageant titleholder, captain of the Charlotte Amalie High School auxiliary dance team, an AP scholar and currently ranked seventh in her graduating class.
“Ta’Mya is not just excelling academically, but is a well-rounded student who exemplifies what balance and success looks like,” DeFreitas said.
She added that Davis also received the 2025 I Am Hope Fund Youth Role Model Award and will attend the University of South Florida this fall to study advanced research in psychology.
DeFreitas said Davis’ accomplishment also reflected the territory’s long-standing partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and its investment in youth development and future leaders.
Speaking to students and families gathered at Government House, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. described the Virgin Islands as being in “a period of massive growth and change” and told students, “You are the leadership.”
“We bring you here tonight to celebrate you, to tell you that you are indeed special, that you have a community that looks up to you and honors you, supports you, and wants you to be successful,” Bryan said.
Bryan urged students to see themselves as visionaries, saying that when they have a clear idea of what they want to build or change in the world, others may not immediately understand it. He said that pattern has repeated throughout history and in his own life, noting he first imagined becoming governor when he was in the fourth grade.
“There has never been — ever, ever, ever — anybody who has done anything incredible in this world that people didn’t think they were crazy,” he said.
