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TESTIMONY RESOLUTION BN: 36 JANELLA JOHN NOVEMBER 14, 2025 TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL NO. 36-0149 A Resolution Honoring and Commending Janeisha John Good day, Honorable Chairman Senator Avery Lewis, Honorable Senator Angel Bolques, sponsor of Bill No. 36-0149, and all Senators of the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection. A special good afternoon is also extended to our father, Josephat John, our mother, Elizabeth Torres, and to all our family and friends joining us in the well today. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of this resolution honoring and commending Janeisha John for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the fields of entertainment, modeling, and media. My name is Janella John, and I am here before you today proud, grateful, and honestly a little emotional, as I testify in honor of my little sister, Janeisha John. Most people know her as the model, pageant queen, the Hollywood creative, and the fashion icon. But to me, she’s my baby sister — my ride without the die — the one who challenges me to grow through her words of wisdom and her positive outlook on life. Growing up, I was the rule-breaker, the risk-taker, and the one who kept our parents on edge and right behind me was Janeisha, the calm to my chaos. She’s always been my balance, my “slow down and think” person. With just one look or that signature “Really, Janella?” she could humble me instantly. She’s been my conscience for as long as I can remember and my constant reminder to lead with grace, not ego, and to always put my best foot forward. Behind that sweet smile was always a fire. From the moment she could walk, she was leading, performing, and shining. Class president, gifted saxophonist, and performer of the arts, she graduated in the top 5% of her class before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of the Virgin Islands. She could maintain perfect grades and perfect hair effortlessly, a balance I never quite mastered. She is truly the epitome of beauty and brains — a woman who didn’t just represent the Virgin Islands but redefined what it means to carry our culture with pride. From Miss St. Croix, to capturing Miss U.S. Virgin Islands America, to Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Universe — the first queen to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in both the Miss America and Miss Universe pageants — she has worn every crown with elegance, humility, and purpose. The entertainment world is not an easy place to be in. It can consume you, confuse you, and change you if you’re not grounded. But through all the chaos that come with that world, it never defined her. She has remained anchored in her faith, graceful in the storm, and true to who she is. To the world, she’s the woman who took her dreams from a small island to global stages — from Miss Universe to Paris Fashion Week. Working with major networks, hosting shows, and gracing international magazines, all while proudly representing the Virgin Islands. But to me, her most remarkable role has always been being herself -- humble, giving, and full of love. She’s the person who’ll quietly pay for a pageant dress for a young lady whose family can’t afford it, mentor a young girl struggling with confidence, or lift others up through giving advice or just being a listening ear. And I might be talking ahead of time here, but even now she’s been quietly working on something near and dear to her —The J. John Foundation — a program for young girls and women focused on cultivating poise, purpose, and confidence. Through this foundation, she plans to offer scholarships and host classes in personal development, self-care and wellness, and public speaking, among other areas — all designed to empower the next generation, especially those dreaming of careers in media, fashion, and entertainment. She remembers those nights spent on a blow-up mattress and the small jobs she took just to stay afloat. And if she can change even one young woman’s life for the better, I know she’ll consider that her greatest accomplishment. I remember when she told us she was leaving home with just a few suitcases, a prayer, and a dream. She said, “I have to make this work.” And that she did — with faith, humility, and sheer determination. That’s what I admire most about her...her quiet strength. She shines because she’s grounded in who she is: a daughter of the Virgin Islands, Frederiksted, St. Croix to be exact...raised on love, faith, and that good ole Centerline Bakery bread. Janeisha, I always tease you about being the “little sister who acts like the oldest,” but the truth is, I’ve admired you for as long as I can remember. You’ve made our family proud in ways words can’t capture — and you’ve made the Virgin Islands proud beyond measure. As I’ve done since the very first time you stepped on a stage, I’ve stood front and center — cheering, clapping, and making all the noise I could. And today is no different. I’m still here, beaming with pride, saying to anyone who’ll listen, “That’s my little sister!” I’m so grateful that today, you get to smell your flowers while you’re here, because you’ve earned every single petal. Even in those times of rejection, you’ve never given up on your dreams. You worked hard! You’ve shown that a bright-eyed west girl can turn dreams into reality while never forgetting where she came from — you are a TRUE ambassador of the U.S. Virgin Islands. You made the world your stage, and in every room, you walk into, you carry your pride for home, flashing your VI sign, waving your VI flag, shouting VI for life and reminding the world exactly where you’re from. I believe that even being considered in the future for the Key to the Territory is both fitting and deserving, because Janeisha embodies everything that cultural pride represents. The Key is reserved for those who have not only excelled in their chosen field but have carried the Virgin Islands with them in every space they enter. Through her accomplishments in entertainment, modeling, and media, she has elevated our small islands onto international stages—always representing with humility, grace, and pride. But beyond the lights and cameras, it’s her quiet service, her mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting others that truly make her worthy of this distinction. She has become, in every sense, an ambassador of Virgin Islands excellence—rooted in purpose, fueled by faith, and devoted to giving back to the place that raised her. A special thank you to Senator At Large, Angel Bolques Jr., for bringing forth this resolution to honor Janeisha. I truly hope that every member of this Committee finds it fitting to vote in the affirmative, because I believe she is more than deserving of this recognition. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you and the members of this Committee in support of Bill No. 36-0149. This concludes the reading of my testimony. But with your indulgence, I would like to present a short clip highlighting Janeisha’s inspiring and humbling journey. Thank you and God bless.