Midre Cummings to Young Virgin Islanders: 'Work Hard Toward Your Goals Until Your Name Replaces Mine'

The namesake of the Midre Almeric Cummings Recreational and Youth Facility has thrown out a challenge to youth in the territory: he wants them to focus on developing themselves so much that the name of the park will be renamed after one of them one day. “If these kids have something to push for, they will do it. I might not be here to see it but some of us will see what is happening, and I challenge you, kids, to work as hard as you can to take my name down,” Mr. Cummings said at the ceremonial opening of the park Sunday. The playground was rebuilt from the ground up in two weeks by a broad coalition of community members, with funding raised organically, through private donations and government support.  “Coming from me to you, it will be a pleasure for you to have my title,” said Mr. Cummings who disclosed that when he was approached to have the park named after him, he was initially not inclined but eventually agreed. “I was not a fan of it because it meant that I would have to com...