Jenell James, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts, Inc., presents an award to James Cordice, a pioneer and coordinator of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Belize Penn Relays.
Photograph by Kylla Herbert
As Vincentians within the Diaspora final month celebrated their 45th anniversary of political independence from Nice Britain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts, Inc. and the New York-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate Basic to america bestowed particular honors on James Cordice, the Vincentian-born pioneer and coordinator of Vincentian and Belizean excessive faculties taking part within the prestigious annual Penn Relays Carnival on the College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts, Inc. honored Cordice on Oct. 19 throughout its Annual Independence Gala, on the Annunciation Corridor in West Roxbury, MA, whereas the Consulate Basic did so on Oct. 25 throughout its annual Flag-Elevating on the Bowling Inexperienced Charging Bull Triangle in decrease Manhattan.
In conferring its Group Service Award on Cordice, Jenell James, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. stated that the glory acknowledges Cordice’s “excellent contributions via the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Pennsylvania then and now (via) Crew SVG Worldwide, which has introduced scholar athletes from St. Vincent and Belize to compete within the prestigious Penn Relays for over a decade.
“Your dedication, ardour and unwavering dedication to the event of younger athletes have had an enduring influence on each our group and the scholars you will have mentored,” she instructed Cordice, a Philadelphia resident. “By offering these athletes with the chance to compete on a global stage, you haven’t solely showcased their expertise but additionally instilled in them a way of pleasure and ambition that may carry them far in life.
“Your work displays the true essence of group service, and we’re deeply grateful for the constructive affect you proceed to have,” James added. “The legacy you will have constructed over the past 10 years is a supply of immense pleasure for all of us, and we commend you to your imaginative and prescient, management and tireless efforts.”
In accepting the award, Cordice, who was additionally the keynote speaker on the occasion, devoted the glory to his mom, Liliath Sheila Nanton-Cordice, who died in St. Vincent and the Grenadines a couple of weeks earlier than at 98.
After pioneering “the journey to Penn” for the Thomas Saunders Secondary Faculty and the Grammar Faculty in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Stan Creek Ecumenical School in Belize, Cordice stated a number of college students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines have obtained scholarships and attained affiliate, bachelor’s and grasp’s levels, and even US residency.
He highlighted beneficiaries of the Penn Relays initiative, resembling Olympian Brandon Valentine-Paris, a present monitor and area highschool coach in North Carolina; and Olympian Handal Roban, who holds the Penn Relays highschool boys 800m file in 2022 and is at present a third-year scholar at Penn State College.
However Cordice stated that “it’s the spirit of giving, giving being the chief element of receiving, that’s the root reason for the numerous nice presents that was bestowed on St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the world,” like Vincentian Olympian Shafiqua Maloney, who, at 13, competed on the Penn Relays, via Cordice’s initiative, for the Thomas Saunders Secondary Faculty.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul Basic to america Rondy McIntosh stated that the award to Cordice “acknowledges the private improvement, development and distinctive contributions of Vincentians residing in america Diaspora.
“The Consulate salutes your important and constructive influence on the cultural, social and financial panorama and well-being of Vincentians each at dwelling and overseas,” he instructed Cordice.
“The award is introduced as an opportune time for, just like the symbolic, ceremonial flag-raising, it serves as a testomony to your unwavering dedication and beneficiant assist to your individuals and to your homeland,” McIntosh added.
Throughout its Annual Independence Gala, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts, Inc. and the Metropolis of Boston, MA additionally conferred “particular recognition” on Vincentians Bevilton and Joanna A. Morris, Esq. for, amongst different issues, supporting catastrophe reduction for St. Vincent and the Grenadines over time; Ian Glaude, a distinguished Vincentian music educator; Marcus James, a St. Lucian group employee; Shirley Shillingford, president, 50+ Caribbean Carnival Committee of Boston; Lisa White, cultural ambassador, who was honored by Dominica final 12 months; Julia McIntosh, former vp of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts; and Jeanette Byron-Brewster and Cecelia Jeudy, Vincentian-born early childhood educators in Boston.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts, Inc. stated it was based in January 1995 by “six visionary Vincentians”: Amelia Edwards, Alex Bobb, Marcus Slater, June Joseph, Yvonne John and Alpha Gould.
The affiliation stated it has been devoted to selling training, cultural consciousness and group outreach.
With its mission, underneath the theme, “Collectively for a Widespread Function,” the group stated it strives to, amongst different issues: Foster cultural exchanges between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Massachusetts; assist academic initiatives; present humanitarian help; strengthen ties with Caribbean organizations; set up scholarship applications for college students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Massachusetts; and supply catastrophe reduction, medical provides, and assist to numerous establishments and people.
“As we rejoice our thirtieth anniversary in 2025, we intention to amplify our partnerships with organizations worldwide; increase our outreach to the worldwide Diaspora of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and proceed serving the group with dedication and fervour,” the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Affiliation of Massachusetts, Inc. stated.
“Let’s come collectively to mark this important milestone and construct a brighter tomorrow,” it added.
