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U.S. Virgin Islands, July 8, 2025 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to announce Kari Currence as the recipient of the 2025 Lawyers’ Scholarship, which was established in 2022 by current St. Croix attorney Lisa Harris Moorhead and former St. Croix attorney Susan Bastress to support the next generation of Virgin Islands legal professionals.
Currence, a graduate of Good Hope Country Day School, is currently pursuing her law degree at the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University, where she is expected to graduate in 2026. Her academic journey includes undergraduate studies at both Columbia University and the University of the Virgin Islands.
“I hope to return to the Virgin Islands to practice law," Currence said. "My views on what exactly I might do change from time to time as my experiences broaden. However, I would like to obtain a clerkship with a local or district court judge and then enter either private practice or government service.”
“We are delighted to award a scholarship to Kari as she pursues her J.D. degree and prepares to bring her talents back to the Virgin Islands," said Moorhead.
Noted Bastress, "Investing in future leaders like Kari is essential to the continued growth and vitality of our community.”
The Lawyers’ Scholarship provides recipients with $5,000 per year, renewable annually for the duration of their studies, as long as they remain in good academic standing. This ongoing support reflects the scholarship’s commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals.
Past Scholarship Recipients
CFVI is proud to have supported a growing cohort of aspiring legal professionals from the Virgin Islands through the Lawyers’ Scholarship Fund:
2024 Recipients
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Layalie Washshah, a St. Croix native and Good Hope Country Day graduate, is pursuing her J.D. at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, graduating in 2027.
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Amisha Mirchandani, born on St. Thomas and a graduate of Antilles School, is studying at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, graduating in 2027.
2023 Recipients
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Diamond Ash, a Charlotte Amalie High School alumna is pursuing her J.D. at William & Mary Law School, graduating in 2026.
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Denisha Emmanuel, a graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, is pursuing her J.D. at American University Washington College of Law, graduating in 2027.
"CFVI congratulates Kari and all previous recipients on their achievements," said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown, "and we look forward to their future contributions to the Virgin Islands legal community."
Donations to The Lawyers' Scholarship Fund can be made online at https://cfvi.co/LawyerScholarshipFund. Checks can be made out to "CFVI" with the memo "Lawyers' Scholarship Fund" and mailed to CFVI at PO Box 380, St. Thomas, VI 00804. Credit card donations can be taken over the phone by calling CFVI at 340-774-6031.
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