Miss Julieth M. Smith said from an early age she was interested in carpentry, drafting and even architecture. Photo: Julieth M Smith

In May 2024, Julieth M Smith graduated with Honours from Penn Foster with Diploma in Drafting. She also holds a Certificate, also with Honours, in Carpentry from Raphael O. Wheatley Skill Center. Photo: Julieth M Smith

Virgin Islander Julieth M. Smith is also involved with costume building during the Carnival season. One of the costumes she was involved in making this year won in its category. Photo: Julieth M Smith

Ms Smith spoke with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) about her accomplishments in Carpentry and Drafting and of experiencing the joys of that accomplishment that was delayed but not denied. 

Born in Road Town and raised in Sea Cows Bay, Ms Smith was educated at the Ebenezer Thomas School and the then BVI High School.

Architecture, Carpentry and Drafting were always the goal 

Ms Smith said from an early age she was interested in carpentry, drafting and even architecture. 

“I always like to see people working with their hands…when I was 18, I ordered my carpentry kit,” she said, however, life would throw different curve balls her way that deviated her from completing studies in her fields of interest. 

Upon graduation from high school, she tried to enrol at the University of the Virgin Islands; however, things did not work out. 

“So I went back home and I got in the [work] industry and I got so busy working and working that I didn’t have time to pursue my architecture dream. I [went] a little bit into construction, I did administration. My last job in Tortola was managing the college bookstore,” she explained.

Ms Smith moved to St Thomas from Tortola during the COVID-19 pandemic and after settling there, she began her journey to get back to school. 

In May 2024, she graduated with Honours from Penn Foster with a Diploma in Drafting. She also holds a Certificate, also with Honours, in Carpentry from Raphael O. Wheatley Skill Center. 

Since receiving certification, she has been gaining exposure in the fields of carpentry and drafting. 

Her learned practical skills, she said, helps her in her daily life, “We’ve been trained to do different things…electrical, plumbing, everything in both classes.”

Smith told a story of having a clogged showerhead. Instead of paying someone to fix it, she got the job done herself following the instructions of a friend over the phone. 

“Now I have a working shower head and I didn’t have to pay anything!” she said proudly.

Helping the Youth 

Ms Smith is actively involved in the Marine Vocational Programme in St Thomas. As part of the team, she is engaged in ensuring the children are safe as well as ensuring the programme runs smoothly.

“Our aim and our desire is to get all the children that come to the programme into sailing, snorkeling, diving, the complete hospitality industry,” Ms Smith said. 

The team of men and women, along with the children in the programme, she said feels like a “family”. 

Ms Smith is also involved with costume building during the Carnival season. One of the costumes she was involved in making this year won in its category. 

She also lends her assistance to the Education Department in St Thomas as an assistant teacher for a carpentry class.

It’s never too late 

Ms Smith is hoping her story will be an encouragement to the people of the Virgin Islands.

To Virgin Islanders, especially women of any age [over 40], she advised, “Don’t stop chasing your dreams, whatever you want to do, as long as you put God first, you can accomplish it.”

She, along with her family, she said has gone through some tough and trying times from the death of her mother to the murder of her nephew; however, she has managed to push through by putting God first. 

“I had some challenges…so it was not [an] easy road,” she said. 

Her family, she said, is proud of her, “They have been saying congratulations, and, you know, they have been sending me congratulatory remarks and everything.

A dream to teach all over the VI  

Ms Smith also desires to return to impart some of her knowledge to people all over the Virgin Islands to help them move forward in their lives. 

“I have met a lot of selfish people here in St Thomas and they don’t really want to help you. If I have the opportunity, I want to help everybody who’s interested that I can teach something to, I want to teach them [and] I want them to learn no matter what it is,” she said.

Smith also plans to continue to gain experience in architecture and drafting. 

“I want to be able to get up one morning and [have] somebody walk up to me and say I need a house…I’m supposed to be able to draw that house out for them…I want to be able to design whatever they want within the space of time that they are talking to me,” Smith said.