The Virgin Islands Studies Institute proudly presents From Vision to Fruition: A Student Oratorical Showcase. Photo: HLSCC

The Oratorical Showcase will honour the legacy of the late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt. Photo: GIS/File

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:50 PM in the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in Paraquita Bay.

This inspiring event will bring students to the stage to deliver compelling speeches that reflect on the enduring legacy of the late H. Lavity Stoutt, highlighting how his words and vision have shaped the Virgin Islands.

'A man of vision'

According to Director of the Virgin Islands Studies Institute, Ms Rochelle Smith, “This event is a true embodiment of our 35th Anniversary theme. H. Lavity Stoutt was a man of vision, and through this showcase, we celebrate not only his words but how those words laid the foundation for the Virgin Islands we know today. Our students will bring that vision to life, demonstrating how spoken ideas, when fuelled by determination and leadership, can shape reality.”

The purpose and significance of the event, according to HLSCC, extend beyond honouring H. Lavity Stoutt as the first Chief Minister of the Virgin Islands. It also provides students with a platform to engage with history, develop public speaking skills, and explore how leadership and perseverance can transform dreams into achievements.

The event also underscores the power of words and their role in shaping the future.

Public invited

The public is invited to attend this engaging and thought-provoking event. Community members, educators, and students are encouraged to celebrate Mr Stoutt’s legacy and witness the next generation bring visionary words to life.

Last year, the Virgin Islands Studies Institute, in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Commemorative Committee, presented a captivating flashback of the First Sitting of the 13th Legislative Council in 1995.

The re-enactment, featuring HLSCC students role-playing past leaders, was a condensed version of the 1995 sitting, capturing the members' vision at the time—many of which have since come to fruition, including the expansion of the hospital, the Central Administration Complex, and the introduction of Integrity legislation.

This year’s From Vision to Fruition: A Student Oratorical Showcase continues this tradition of honouring our past while inspiring the future, HLSCC said.