Breaking

Innovative, one of the largest contributors to schools and non-profit organizations in the territory announced today that two students were selected as recipients for the Albert A. Sheen Scholarships, and four students were awarded Innovative-University of the Virgin Islands Scholarships.

Albert A. Sheen Scholarships are awarded to two Virgin Islands high school seniors who have already been accepted to a college or university to pursue a degree in one of the following disciplines: Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Engineering or related fields. The scholarship is named in honor of the late attorney, Albert A. Sheen, who served as the legal counsel for the Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation, which is currently doing business as Innovative Telephone.

Each student is awarded a one-time $10,000 scholarship to be used for tuition only. Hector Acosta, Jr., above left, and Marcus Norkaitis, above right, of St. Croix and St. Thomas respectively, were selected as the 2016 Albert A. Sheen Scholars. The students were chosen from a total of 36 applicants. Each of the Albert A. Sheen Scholars will receive a $10,000 tuition-only scholarship for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Mr. Acosta is an 18 year-old honors graduate from the St. Croix Central High School. In addition to excelling in the classroom, he has demonstrated his leadership skills while serving as Class President of the St. Croix Central High Class of 2016, CHS Drum Major and Youth President at the Trinity Wesleyan Holiness Church. Acosta will enter Morehouse College this fall to major in Business Management and Communications, according to information provided by Innovative.

Mr. Norkaitis is a 17 year-old honors student who has already received numerous accolades and scholastic awards during his tenure at the Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, where he was the valedictorian of the 2016 graduating class. He actively participated in youth development programs such as Junior Statesmen of America, the Boy Scouts of America and the Virgin Island Scholars Summer Leadership Institute. Mr. Norkaitis will be attending Princeton University this fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, according to Innovative.

Innovative is proud of its significant, long-standing relationship with the University of the Virgin Islands and pleased to award four one-time scholarships of $5,000 to accomplished recently graduated high school students who will attend UVI in the fall of 2016. The Innovative-UVI Scholarships are awarded to two scholars in each district and the funds will be used for tuition, books and materials at UVI. St. Croix’s scholarship recipients are Deney Matthew from the St. Croix Central High School and Nathalia Seville from St. Croix Educational Complex. Scholars from the St. Thomas- St. John District are Murphy Christopher from Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy and Trent Stedman from Charlotte Amalie High School. Christopher, Matthew and Stedman intend to study Business Management and Seville is seeking a degree in Computer Science.

“Innovative has bestowed over $300,000 in college scholarships to talented Virgin Islands high school graduates over the last six years. Further, we remain committed to providing $60,000 to UVI for scholarships over the next three years as we continue to work closely with the Territory’s only university and one of our strategic partners in the development of the next generation of Virgin Islands trailblazers,” said Jennifer Matarangas-King, vice president of public relations and governmental affairs for the Innovative companies.

Mitchell Neaves, vice president of institutional advancement for UVI added: “Innovative Companies recognize the importance of making an investment in the first-year experience of our students. An appropriate level of academic, social and financial support provided to students during their transition to college helps to ensure success. UVI appreciates Innovative’s steadfast commitment to supporting student achievement and cultivating innovation throughout our various University programs.”

Mrs. Matarangas-King added that the Innovative Companies of the recipients, wishing them well in their endeavors.

“We are delighted to be able to provide significant financial assistance to help them pursue their scholastic and career goals,” she concluded.