Kylla Herbert, the Camden, NJ-based coordinator of the St. Kitts and Nevis Penn Relays Committee, says she is “anxiously anticipating” the return of Group St. Kitts and Nevis to this 12 months’s Penn Relays.
The 129th working of the Penn Relays Carnival will happen from April 24 to 26, 2025, at Franklin Area Stadium on the College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
“In 2024, we welcomed the Charles E. Mills Secondary Faculty (CEMSS) as the primary faculty to characterize St. Kitts and Nevis on the prestigious Penn Relays Monitor and Area Carnival,” Herbert, who can also be president of the Camden, NJ-based South Jersey Caribbean Cultural and Improvement Group (SJCCDO), advised Caribbean Life just lately.
“CEMSS’ Boys’ Group competed within the 4x400m and 4x100m relays. The CEMSS Ladies’ Group competed within the 4x400m, successful Silver of their race,“ she added. “CEMSS’ inaugural journey to the Penn Relays was met with monetary and different challenges that had been overcome with perseverance and correct planning.
“CEMSS obtained monetary assist from St. Kitts and Nevis Authorities, companies, and particular person donors that assisted them with attending to the US,“ Herbert continued. “As soon as CEMSS arrived, their lodging, meals, and transportation had been paid for by beneficiant donations from St. Kitts and Nevis organizations and people primarily based within the USA.”
Herbert mentioned SJCCDO labored in collaboration with Stewart Williams, president of the Sandy Level Benevolent Society (SPBS), St. Kitts and Nevis Tri-State Affiliation (SKNTSA), and particular person donors to boost funds to assist St. Kitts and Nevis on the Penn Relays in 2024.
She mentioned that, through the three days of the races, Group Jamaica Bickle offered meals. This Jamaica, Queens-based philanthropist group has been offering meals, hydration stations, and bodily remedy, amongst different issues, to Jamaican and different Caribbean athletes competing within the Penn Relays.
Herbert mentioned the 2024 SKN crew additionally obtained help from Quandasha Huggins, Dr. Cherise Walwyn and St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the US, Jacinth Henry Martin.
For 2025, she mentioned the St. Kitts and Nevis Penn Relays Committee is requesting monetary assist for Group St. Kitts and Nevis whereas in Philadelphia for the relays.
Herbert mentioned the Sandy Level Benevolent Society, SJCCDO, and different people are once more collaborating to offer transportation, meals, and lodging from April 22 to April 29, 2025.
She mentioned athletes can even go to native universities and expertise native tradition.
Livingston Benjamin, from Butler’s Village, Nevis, and SJCCCDO member, advised Caribbean Life on Tuesday: “As a SKN nationwide, it brings great delight to see our highschool athletes have the chance to get worldwide publicity.
“I really feel that the Penn Relays can present a basis for rising expertise. It will possibly ignite nationwide delight and encourage future generations,“ he added.
Williams mentioned he “was excited to see CEMSS at their first Penn Relays in 2024.
“I am extra excited to see CEMSS coming again with extra dedication and need to be aggressive,” he added. “So many issues have to occur to get the groups on observe.
“Because of Kylla Herbert and the crew supervisor Niketa Isles, I am studying to count on the perfect execution,“ Williams added. “I need to encourage all from St Kitts and Nevis to hitch in once more.
“In truth, I want to see all from SKN amplify their participation – time we spend, monies we donate, methods we assist set up – let’s make CEMSS 2.0 higher than CEMSS 1.0,“ Williams continued.
Lawson Webbe, CEMSS’ male coach, mentioned the Penn Relays 2025 contingent contains 18 members, together with the supervisor, assistant supervisor, head coach, assistant coach, and throws coach.
He mentioned 6 boys will take part within the 4x400m, 4x100m, and javelin throw, whereas the 7 women will compete within the 4x400m and 4x100m.
“Final 12 months’s expertise, total, was difficult, because it pertains to the climate, however we adjusted as greatest we will,“ Webbe mentioned. “The competitors expertise was new and thrilling, in addition to a bit of nervy for the athletes who had been on the market for the primary time in a stadium buzzing with noise and logistical operations.
“The hospitality by each the South Jersey Group and the SPBS group and different key personals who hosted us with the logistics was very organized and beneficiant, and we’re grateful; and so, we thank them for serving to us to be comfy,“ he added.
“This 12 months, we wish to carry out higher than final,“ Webbe continued. “We goal to showcase stronger groups and be extra aggressive. We plan to enhance on the time performances than that of our final 12 months’s quartet set.“
Niketa Isles, CEMSS crew supervisor, thanked the next for his or her “unwavering“ assist: Charles E Mills Secondary Faculty; SJCCDO; Sandy Level Benevolent Society (SPBS); the Ministry of Schooling; Ministry of Sports activities; St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla Nationwide Financial institution; the Workplace of the Prime Minister; Advance Caribbean; Dr. Norgen Wilson; Dr. Trevor Christmas; Dr. Denzil L. Douglas; Dr. Daryl Warner; Dr. Joylette Woodley-Fassale; mother and father, Sandy Level; Newtown Floor; St. Pauls and Dieppe Bay Group; and all the Federation of St. Kitts- Nevis.
“Our debut on the PENN Relays in 2024 was not potential with out all events’ assist,“ Isles mentioned. “They’ve all as soon as once more come on board to assist this 12 months’s crew at PENN Relays, and we couldn’t be extra grateful.“
Uzariel Hodge, a CEMSS student-athlete who attended the 2024 Penn Relays, has “excessive expectations“ for this 12 months’s 2025 Penn Relays.
“This 12 months, I count on my crew to push tougher and win their warmth with an excellent time to advance to a different spherical of the relay competitors,“ she mentioned.
“I count on to be seen by scouts as I plan to run a greater and enhance the leg than I did final 12 months,“ Hodge added. “Additionally, I am trying to converse to extra athletes {and professional} athletes, in addition to scouts and coaches. Listening to their expertise and getting motivational recommendation to assist me pursue my dream of turning into a university athlete and knowledgeable athlete who needs to compete within the Olympics.”
Tejuan Webbe, one other CEMSS athlete, mentioned he is “actually wanting ahead to the Penn Relays, particularly since I used to be unable to attend final 12 months.
“From what I’ve seen and heard, it appears very attention-grabbing and thrilling,“ he mentioned. “I look ahead to competing towards others from varied colleges exterior my dwelling nation.
“I hope to work together with completely different coaches and study some completely different working methods,“ Webbe added. “After all, the final word objective is to be scouted by varied colleges within the US.”
To assist the St. Kitts and Nevis Penny Relays initiative, contact Williams or Herbert to debate methods to assist. Go to www.hopp.bio/stkittsnevispenn.
Herbert can also be asking the neighborhood to assist the Sandy Level Benevolent Society’s Annual Breakfast Bash on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Church of the Holy Nativity, 3061 Bainbridge Ave., Bronx NY. Contact any SPBS member or go to spbsinc.com.
“SPBS‘ fundraiser is a good way to take pleasure in native meals from St. Kitts and Nevis and assist one of many organizations that play an integral half in helping the Group. St Kitts and Nevis on the Penn Relay,“ she mentioned.
Herbert will also be reached at (267) 257-9625.
