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dateline: UVI November 17, 2008, vol xiv, number 11 The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands An event designed to draw atten- tion to the plight of world hunger at- tracted thousands of people to the Uni- versity of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus. World Food Day activities on Nov. 2 brought about 3,000 people to the campus. “This year, more than ever, world food security is at a critical stage,” said Clarice Clarke, public information spe- cialist for UVI’s Cooperative Extension Service (CES). “The challenges of cli- mate change, the price of food and the rising demand for biofuels produced from food crops has an impact on the poor,” she said at the opening ceremony of the World Food Day activity. This year’s featured agricultural products were sorrel, sweet corn and lamb. Activities included the first-time “Youth Super Chef” competition, edu- cational workshops and a food drive. For the “Youth Super Chef” competion, teams from participating schools prepared dishes made from the featured agricultural products in front of a live audience. The food was judged on presentation, taste and originality. The Central High School team won in the Senior High category and the Elena Christian Junior High School team won in the Junior High category. The winning teams received trophies and Kitchenaid sets. There were a total of six teams. The Kids Can Make a Difference food drive collected 2,800 pounds of non-perishable food items for the Haiti Relief Effort and local food banks. Tweleve hundred of the items were given to St. Croix Rotary West for ship- ment to Haiti and the rest were distrib- uted to My Brothers Table and the LightHouse on St. Croix. In addition to the activities, attandees had the opportunity to tour Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) facilities, purchase fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products, purchase food and receive vegetable seedings. A total of 1,200 vegetable seedlings were distributed. “World Food Day was a wonder- ful opportunity for members of the com- munity to visit the campus, attend edu- cational workshops, and sample dishes made from our featured crops such as sorrel drink, sorrel sorbet, corn bread, corn casserole, sorrel sauce and stewed lamb,” Clarke said. World Food Day is sponsored by UVI’s AES, CES and the V.I. Department of Agriculture. Central High Team Named ‘Youth Super Chef’ World Food Day Activities Attract Thousands Top: Central High School “Youth Super Chef” team competes at World Food Day activities. Bottom: Vegetable seedlings are distributed. Events Calendar Nov. 17 Environmental Workshops STX Nov 19-22 GIS Conference STT Nov. 20 SGA Guest Lecture STT Nov. 20 Incentive Awards Ceremony STT Nov. 19 UVI-SC Town Hall Meeting STT/STX Nov. 21 Incentive Awards Ceremony STX Nov. 22-23 STT/STJ Agriculture Fair STT Nov. 22 Upward Bound Breakfast Sale STX Nov. 22 Free Snorkel Clinic STX Nov. 23 Student Music Recital STT Nov. 26 UVI-SC Town Hall Meeting STT/STX Dec. 6 Christmas Concert STT Dec. 13 Holiday Gala STX Dec. 14 Holiday Dinner STT dateline:UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline:UVI is a production of the UVI Public Relations Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1056 FAX: (340) 693-1055 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu Rick Grant won the title of “Mr. Kool” at a competition of the same name held on Nov. 8, on the St. Thomas campus. Donald Gibson was named the first runner up. The two competed against two others - Nicholas Buckley and Wendel Grouby - for the title. They com- peted in introduction, speech, beachwear, talent and Mr. Kool wear. Event chairperson Jadee Caines said the competition went very well. “People wanted to see something different and that’s what they got,” Caines said. Kool Ruler Seven University of the Virgin Islands students will get the highly coveted opportunity to attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The inauguration is expected to attract more than one million people to Washington, D.C. Most hotels are already booked ahead of the Jan. 20 event and people across the country are clamoring for tickets to attend. “I am excited about the opportunity to witness history in the making when our first black president takes his oath of office,” said Wayne Petersen, a student who will attend. Golden Key Honour Society members on both UVI campuses were invited by the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC). The five-day conference provides outstanding stu- dents from across the nation who participate with a deeper understanding of the history behind the elctoral process and the traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration. Golden Key members from the St. Croix campus will attend. The inaugural scholars will witness the inauguration and experience the inaugural parade, as President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their families make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building to the White House. They will also attend a black-tie gala inaugural ball. “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to witness first-hand the inauguration of our 44th president, who happens to be African American,” said Nickaya Armantranding. “It’s so fortunate for us to be able to participate.” “I am honored and blessed to be part of this historic event,” said Leana Timothy. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will forever cherish and as a prospective elementary teacher, my students will definitely benefit from my experi- ence.” Other students who will attend are Melina Moore, Diane DaCosta, Renako Wells and Sharmane Simon. In addition to UVI student participation, St. Croix Cam- pus Associate Campus Executive Administrator Miriam Osborne Elliott was selected by the conference committee to serve as a PYIC faculty advisor. In that capacity she will facilitate group meetings, prepare students for each day’s activities and present educational content for the program. As a founding member of the St. Croix chapter of the Golden Key Honour Society, Osborne Elliott said she is proud to be able to facilitate the students’ participation. “I look for- ward to seeing the outcome of this investment in our students and who they will become as a result of this pivotal point in history,” she said. The students are currently rasing funds to assist with the cost of airfare, winter clothing and hotel rooms. The UVI Institutional Advancement Office provided funds for the stu- dents’ conference registration. UVI Students and Administator to go to Obama’s Inauguration