Seventeen graduates — across St. Thomas, St. Croix, and internationally from Palestine — complete a career-focused, mission-driven academic journey at The Center for Educational Growth “CFEG”, the only Cognia-accredited school in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The “Limitless Class of 2026” closes a year marked by award-winning filmmaking, a student-led yearbook, and a second-place finish at the V.I. Agriculture & Food Fair in CFEG’s first year competing.
The Center for Educational Growth, Inc. is proud to announce the graduation of its “Limitless Class of 2026,” with commencement ceremonies that took place on both St. Croix and St. Thomas this weekend — and, simultaneously, three CFEG students graduating internationally from Palestine. The St. Croix ceremony was Saturday, May 16 at Rotary West, St. Croix, and the St. Thomas ceremony was Sunday at Emerald Beach, St. Thomas.
Founded in August 2019, CFEG remains the only school in the U.S. Virgin Islands graduating students across each island in the Virgin Islands in a single class, and the only internationally accredited school based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. CFEG holds full accreditation from Cognia, the global education accreditation organization that serves more than 36,000 institutions across 85+ countries, and has been continuously Cognia-accredited since June 30, 2022. For more than five consecutive years, CFEG has been the only school in the U.S. Virgin Islands graduating international students each year — a distinction the school continues to hold and proudly extends with the 2026 class. The “Limitless Class of 2026” totals seventeen graduates — eight from St. Croix and nine from the St. Thomas cohort, three of whom are graduating internationally from Palestine.
CFEG opens the door to education for every Virgin Islander — students living on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island — and for international learners as well. Through its fully digital school and signature “Direct Your Learning” curriculum, CFEG provides personalized, career-focused education that fast-tracks every student toward a globally recognized high school diploma and toward what comes next. The Class of 2026 reflects that approach: the majority will continue their studies at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in fields that are marketable across jurisdictions including Nursing, Psychology, Biology, Business, Accounting, Process Technology, and Workforce Entrepreneurship, while others step directly into workforce and entrepreneurship pathways here in the Virgin Islands and abroad.
THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS FIRST DIGITAL SCHOOL WITH INTERNATIONAL REACH AND LOCAL ROOTS
CFEG’s Cognia accreditation — the same international standard held by leading schools in more than 85 countries — combined with its fully digital school model and signature “Direct Your Learning” curriculum, makes it possible for the school to serve and graduate students wherever learning takes them, without sacrificing academic rigor or diploma recognition. For more than five consecutive years, CFEG has graduated international students — the only school in the U.S. Virgin Islands to do so, year after year. The Class of 2026 continues that tradition, with three CFEG students graduating from Palestine alongside their classmates here in the Virgin Islands, all sharing in the same “Limitless” Class of 2026.
“This is what limitless looks like,” said Sandra Cannon, Director and Founder of the Center for Educational Growth, Inc. “Since 2019, CFEG has opened the doors of education to every Virgin Islander — on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island — and to students learning internationally. We remain the only school in the U.S. Virgin Islands graduating students across both major islands in the same class, the only Cognia-accredited school based in the territory, and the only school here that has graduated international students every single year for more than five years. Through our Direct Your Learning curriculum, our students take ownership of their education, fast-track toward their high school diploma, and graduate ready for career, college, and community leadership. These young people are proof that with the right access and the right support, students can rise — no matter where they begin.”
A DIGITAL SCHOOL. A DIRECT YOUR LEARNING CURRICULUM. A PATHWAY TO GREATNESS.
Since its founding in August 2019, CFEG has provided every Virgin Islander — on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island — as well as international students, year-round rolling enrollment, with 365-day access to a fully digital, internationally accredited high school education. CFEG’s signature “Direct Your Learning” curriculum is built around career-focused pathways and personalized pacing, allowing students to fast-track toward their high school diploma and toward what they want to do next: college, career, military, entrepreneurship, or workforce. By removing the geographic and scheduling barriers that have historically limited access to quality high school education in the U.S. Virgin Islands, CFEG ensures that every student — whether on-island or abroad — has a real and viable path to greatness.
VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN & STUDENTS OF DISTINCTION
Leading the Class of 2026 across the stage are Valedictorian Ghazal B. Salem and Salutatorian Dalia Nazar Z. Salem, both of whom will enter UVI’s Nursing Program. Joining them as the school’s recognized Students of Distinction is St. Croix’s Haley Rae Olson (UVI, Psychology), with St. Thomas’s Mahmoud A. Yanes (UVI, Business) and St. Croix’s Antony A. Fredericks (UVI, Process Technology) also featured as honored graduates whose growth, character, and academic commitment exemplify the “Limitless” spirit of the class.
ST. THOMAS GRADUATES (6)
•Malak J. Ahmad — UVI, Accounting
•Shahera H. Bazzar — UVI, Psychology
•Abdallah I. Rayyan — Workforce Entrepreneurship
•Dalia Nazar Z. Salem — UVI, Nursing — Salutatorian
•Ghazal B. Salem — UVI, Nursing — Valedictorian
•Mahmoud A. Yanes — UVI, Business
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES — GRADUATING FROM PALESTINE (3)
Part of the St. Thomas cohort, these three “Limitless Class of 2026” graduates are completing their CFEG studies internationally from Palestine — made possible by CFEG’s Cognia international accreditation:
•Kareem F. Bazzar — Entrepreneurship: Auto Mechanic
•Saly M. Bazar — Future plans: Undecided
•Rasha M. Bazaar — Future plans: Undecided
ST. CROIX GRADUATES (8)
•Kaedon Constable — UVI, Process Technology
•Antony A. Fredericks — UVI, Process Technology
•Keyandre B. Henry — Workforce
•Jimiah John-Baptiste — UVI
•Bennett N. Knopps — Workforce Entrepreneurship
•Haley Rae Olson — UVI, Psychology — Student of Distinction
•Hala H. Rahhal — UVI, Biology
•Keziah A. Ritter — Nursing
A YEAR OF AWARD-WINNING ACCOMPLISHMENT
The Class of 2026 graduates against the backdrop of a remarkable schoolwide year. CFEG students earned recognition in filmmaking — building on the school’s award-winning student film work that has given Virgin Islands young people a platform to tell their own stories. The CFEG Yearbook crew documented the year’s growth, service, and friendships in a publication that captures the heart of the school’s community.
In a milestone moment for combined digital and hands-on, real-world learning, CFEG’s Agriculture program took home second place at the U.S. Virgin Islands Agriculture & Food Fair in its very first year competing — a powerful testament to what is possible when students are challenged, mentored, and given the tools to lead.
DISTINGUISHED CEREMONY PROGRAM
Both ceremonies were hosted by Master of Ceremony Attorney Sansara A. Cannon, Esq., with closing remarks delivered by Dr. Marlon Williams. The 2026 Andrew & Adella Scholarship Award will be presented by Mrs. J. Thompson. This year’s motivational speakers reflect CFEG’s commitment to inspiring real-world success and Virgin Islands leadership:
•St. Croix Motivational Speaker: Trinity Granger Austrie — UVI alumna, Thurgood Marshall Scholar, and co-founder of Tysam Tech, LLC, the largest USVI-based environmental engineering firm, employing more than 27 local STEM professionals.
•St. Thomas Motivational Speaker: Omar Ewen, professionally known as Lystra Omar — Caribbean-born singer, creative leader, and founder of ElevateWi Inc. and WiStudios Creative Hub, which support emerging Virgin Islands creatives.
A MESSAGE FROM CFEG LEADERSHIP
“The Limitless Class of 2026 reflects exactly what we believe is possible when students are seen, supported, and challenged to grow,” said Board of The Center for Educational Growth, Inc. “From the classroom to the film studio, from the yearbook page to the agriculture fair, this class has shown what student-centered learning can produce. We could not be more proud — and we are deeply grateful to the families, sponsors, and community partners who walked this journey with us.”
GRATITUDE FOR SPONSORS & COMMUNITY
CFEG extends its deepest appreciation to the sponsors and community partners who help make moments like these possible:
•Ocean Point Terminal
•Neighborhood Pharmacy
•Rotary Club West
•Daniel & Jennifer Thomson Foundation
•Kenny Leon True Colors Theatre
•Heavy Materials LLC (St. Thomas)
MEDIA COVERAGE WELCOMED
Members of the press are warmly invited to attend either or both graduation ceremonies. Photography and interview opportunities with graduates, families, and CFEG leadership will be available before and after the ceremonies. To coordinate access, interviews, or to request graduate biographies and high-resolution photos, please contact Sansara A. Cannon, CEO, at 340-772-3131 (work), 929-777-1491 (cell), or by email at hrcfeg@usvicfeg.com.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL GROWTH, INC. (CFEG)
The Center for Educational Growth, Inc. (CFEG) is a U.S. Virgin Islands digital school committed to empowering students through personalized, career-focused education that fosters academic excellence, character, creativity, and real-world readiness. Founded in August 2019 by Director and Founder Sandra Cannon and led by CEO Sansara A. Cannon, CFEG is the only Cognia-accredited school based in the U.S. Virgin Islands — continuously accredited since June 30, 2022. CFEG is also the only school in the territory graduating students simultaneously across the Virgin Islands, and internationally, and the only U.S. Virgin Islands school to graduate international students every year for more than five consecutive years. CFEG opens the door to education for every Virgin Islander — on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island — and for learners abroad. Through its signature “Direct Your Learning” curriculum, CFEG provides every student with a high-quality, fast-tracked path to a globally respected high school diploma and to college, career, and community leadership. Serving grades 8 through 12, CFEG partners with families and communities to help every student grow, lead, and succeed. To learn more, visit usvicfeg.com or read “Our Story” at usvicfeg.com/our-story.
ABOUT COGNIA
Cognia is a global, non-profit accreditation and improvement organization that serves more than 36,000 schools, districts, and education systems in 85+ countries. Cognia’s accreditation — formerly known as AdvancED — is recognized as a hallmark of rigor and continuous improvement in K–12 education worldwide. Cognia’s public accreditation registry lists the Center for Educational Growth, Inc. as a fully accredited institution headquartered at 70-71 E Queen Street, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
