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June, 2025

Oh the places they'll go

Celebrating the class of 2025

This is the time of year, with all the graduation celebrations, when we really mark the successes of young people. Likewise, it's a time to celebrate and thank the teachers and mentors who have helped them along the way.

It's particularly gratifying to see so many graduates who have come through the programs offered by the Learning Center as well as other schools that we provide scholarships for, such as the Lower Bay School and the secondary schools on the mainland. On the left below is Deejay Hackshaw on his graduation from Boy's Grammar School. We're proud to see our past student from The Learning Center shine bright. He is also a recipient of the Grenadines Initiative Scholarship program. Deejay excelled in social studies, sports, and technology, earning him awards. We are all wishing him all the best as he heads off to college. On the right below are graduates from the Lower Bay School. Many students attend LBS through scholarships from the Grenadines Initiative.

We were very saddened to hear of the passing of long time GI friend Bob Milsom. He and his wife Moni have been coming to Bequia since 1997 and were dedicated volunteers with the Bequia Mission. Bob, along with Jim Razza, also ran a popular weekly after school chess club for students in Bequia. Bob and Moni are shown here, with another volunteer of the Bequia Mission, Ron Ramsey, at our GI social at Provision this past March. Always with an infectious smile and charming wit, Bob will be missed. The family asks that donations be made to the Grenadines Initiative in Bob’s memory.  

Bringing the Banff Centre to Bequia

Artists at the Banff International String Quartet Competition this August will be competing for 10-day string quartet residency in SVG in March 2026

We're excited to announce an international artist residency to be based in Bequia next March. The residency is being offered in partnership with the DC Anderson Family Foundation and The Banff International String Quartet Competition, in cooperation with the Grenadines Initiative.

The Banff International String Quartet Competition is a triennial event held at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada. Established in 1983, it has grown into one of the world’s leading chamber music competitions, bringing together musicians from around the world. This year the competing quartets are from Korea, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Austria, Canada, and the United States.

The goal of the competition is to foster career development through touring, residencies, coaching, collaborations, and recordings, as well as supporting opportunities for youth with mentoring programs. Through residencies and collaborations, the competition also seeks to grow audiences, and to bring chamber music and chamber musicians to new audiences.

That last part—sharing the music in new ways—is why we feel this project is such a great match for the communities of SVG. During the residency the musicians will be doing performances and outreach on St Vincent, Bequia, and Canouan. They will also meet with local musicians, and engage in an exchange of musical ideas. The dates of the residency are March 2-13, 2026.

While there will be one ticketed event during their stay, the majority of the performances will be open to all. There will also be visits to local schools across the islands where young people will be able to experience the instruments up close, and to interact with the players. We'll be sure to distribute updates and details as they become available.

The Judy Simmons Memorial Scholarship is an award established to honour the memory and legacy of Judy Simmons, a dedicated advocate for education and community development. It provides financial support to a deserving student pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies within an accredited CARICOM college or university.

The scholarship is designed to empower promising individuals with the opportunity to achieve their academic and professional goals, reflecting Judy Simmons' spirit, passion for nurturing talent and fostering growth, and love of the islands.

If you or someone you know would like to apply, click here or see https://form.jotform.com/250789055572264 . For more information, email me at glen.herbert@grenadinesinitiative.org

Find our new brochure at businesses on Bequia and at the tourist information office in Port Elizabeth. If you'd like copies for display, respond to this email or use the contacts below. You can also find the digital version here or download a pdf here.

Glen Herbert

Executive Director

Email: glen.herbert@grenadinesinitiative.org

Ph/WhatsApp: 289 439 7052