Former Speaker Julian Willock, 3rd from right, gives remarks at the presentation to Ebenezer Thomas Primary School on September 16, 2024. In back row from left are Ricky O. Connor, Chairperson/Instructional Leader of Mathematics at Ebenezer Thomas Primary School Zubida K. O’Neal; and former firefighter Mr Joseph A. Fahie. Photo: Provided.

Making the donation at BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, Left is High School Supervisor at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School Mr Ron E. Hemerding. Photo: Provided

Today, Monday, September 16, 2024, former Speaker of the House of Assembly and Third District resident Mr Julian Willock, 3rd from left, came true to his word in giving back with his annual Back to School initiative. Photo: Provided

The event dubbed ‘3 hours, 3 schools, district 3’ made donations today to three schools in the Sea Cows Bay community. Here the team is at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School. Photo: Provided

The event, dubbed ‘3 hours, 3 schools, district 3’, made donations today to three schools in the Sea Cows Bay community. The event started at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School then moved on to the St George’s Secondary School before ending at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School where Mr Willock and his Third District Committee handed over a number of books, bags, and other school supplies to the three schools.

Mr Willock was accompanied by two members of his 30-member District Three Committee. They were businessman and owner of the band OMG, Mr Ricky E. Conner, and former firefighter Mr Joseph A. Fahie, who both hail from the Sea Cows Bay community. Mr Conner told the students at the three schools that they are indeed the future and it’s important to stay in school and get an education. He noted that the students are the future legislators, businessmen and women, and lawyers, and that education is vital to achieving these goals.

Meanwhile, Mr Joseph noted that the students are privileged to have such generous donations, as when he was going to school there were times when he did not have books or bags. He said he is proud to be a part of the Third District Committee to give back to students so they can have the tools to help them along their educational journey.

Donations for students facing hardship

Mr Willock stated that the donations were made directly to schools so that the principal and teachers, who are on the ground, could give the items directly to any student who may be facing hardship throughout the 2024/2025 academic year.

On hand to collect the donated items were the Principal of the St George’s School, Ms Odalys Gonzalez; Chairperson/Instructional Leader of Mathematics at Ebenezer Thomas Primary School Zubida K. O’Neal, who received on behalf of Principal Ms Ashkisha N. Maduro; and High School Supervisor at the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School Mr Ron E. Hemerding, who collected on the behalf of Principal Mr Wade W. Tobin.

The 2024 Third District Back to School was proudly sponsored by Nanny Cay Resort, BDO Limited, Northam Construction, IAM Jet Centre, Gumption’s Experience BVI, Nagico Insurance, along with the supporting role of Willock's Third District Committee and Ms Kishma P. Forbes of the Virgin Islands School and Office Supplies.