Local News
Sailing Towards Glory: Thad Lettsome Ready for Paris 2024 Olympics

Thad Lettsome is set to represent the British Virgin Islands at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This achievement marks the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. When asked about his feelings, Thad shared, “It feels amazing to have achieved my goal. It’s incredibly satisfying as it demonstrates that hard work pays off.”
Thad first heard the news from his mother during a FaceTime call. “She FaceTimed me one day, which I thought was quite strange, and without any warning, shared the news with me. I then shared it with my brother, other immediate family, and my coaches,” he recounted, still buzzing with excitement.
With his Olympics debut on the horizon, Thad’s primary goal is to “leave it on the water and do everything I can to put the BVI flag ahead of as many others as possible.” He aims to ensure good starts in each race and to sail strategically smart upwinds. “I have been working hard at these aspects of the races with my coaches and training partners,” he added, his determination evident.
As he gears up for his races, Thad anticipates that the most challenging aspect will be the ability of all sailors to “come back” from bad positions due to their speed and experience. He plans to manage this by breaking the fleet down into smaller groups and focusing on staying ahead of the boats around him. His strategic approach showcases his tactical acumen and readiness for the high-stakes competition.
To prepare for the Laser class, Thad has focused intensely on fitness and proper preparation and recovery. He emphasises the physical nature of the Laser class, stating that it is “notoriously physical.” His rigorous training regimen reflects his commitment to peak performance.
Thad credits his coaches, including Brenda Bowskill, for being instrumental in his development and preparation. “Brenda supplements my training with technical advice, while my main coach, Chris Watters, provides overall structure, guidance, and support,” he said. The support from his coaches has been invaluable in refining his skills and boosting his confidence.
Balancing training with academics has been challenging, but Thad has received support from coaches, parents, and school staff. He graduated from Tabor Academy in 2020 and Tulane University in 2024. “It is certainly difficult to do both, but I’m assisted by coaches, my parents, staff at school, and others,” he explained, highlighting the teamwork that has been crucial to his success.
He plans to apply all the skill and knowledge he has acquired over the past 13 years and do his very best at the Olympics. “It is easy to stay focused when one is so eager to apply what they have learned and demonstrate their skill,” he noted, his excitement palpable.
The sailor is particularly looking forward to being among many people who have excelled in their fields and is excited about the opening ceremony. “Outside of competition, I’m certainly looking forward to the opening ceremony,” he shared, his enthusiasm infectious.
Managing the mental and physical pressures of the Olympics, Thad believes that staying focused on his goal of competing hard and applying what he has learned will help him manage the pressures. “Staying focused on my goal will prevent me from succumbing to pressure,” he said with determination.
Having raced against a majority of the fleet at various regattas, Thad plans to emphasise the importance of a good start in each race. “It will be crucial to try to get ahead from early as there will likely be fewer opportunities to pass competitors in such a small fleet,” he explained, showcasing his tactical insight.
Thad is currently focused on the task at hand but acknowledges that the Olympic experience will better him as a sailor regardless of what he chooses to do next. “The Olympics are an invaluable experience that will certainly better me as a sailor,” he said, looking forward to future challenges.
He sees great potential for sailing in the BVI and hopes his qualification will inspire youths and parents to embrace the nautical side of their culture. “I hope that my qualification for the games can serve as an inspiration to youths and parents alike,” he stated, his passion for sailing evident.
Qualifying for the Olympics has reinforced Thad’s belief that anything is possible through hard work and dedication. His family has been his main supporters throughout his journey. “My family and friends were ecstatic and proud upon hearing the news,” he shared, grateful for their unwavering support.
Thad encourages young athletes to find someone to train with and push them. “Never turn down an opportunity as you don’t know where it will lead,” he advised. He also emphasises the importance of envisioning oneself achieving their goals. “As long as you can see yourself achieving your goals, it doesn’t matter what others think,” he concluded, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Local News
Minister Rymer Briefed on Airport Infrastructure Enhancements

Minister of Communications and Works, Honourable Kye Rymer, has received a briefing on recent infrastructural upgrades completed at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.
The update was provided by Mr Kurt Menal, Managing Director of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), who highlighted key improvements designed to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency at the Territory’s main airport.
Among the completed upgrades is the installation of a new luggage conveyor belt and expanded baggage collection area. The upgraded system has a greater capacity than the previous setup, aimed at improving the flow of passengers through the arrivals process.
Mr Menal also pointed to the commissioning of a modern sewage treatment plant, which has the capacity to accommodate up to 500,000 passengers annually. The environmentally sustainable system supports the BVIAA’s broader objectives of expanding airport capacity while meeting international environmental standards.
“The BVIAA continues to meet the safety and regulatory requirements outlined in the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 and other applicable instruments,” Mr Menal said. “We are also focused on maintaining an environment that fosters employee excellence and high standards of service.”
The infrastructure enhancements form part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Territory’s transportation network and prepare for anticipated increases in passenger traffic.
Education
Twelve Primary Schools Advance to Final Round of 2025 Spelling Bee

Twelve primary schools in the Virgin Islands have secured places in the final round of the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports’ 2025 Spelling Bee Competition, scheduled to take place on 4 June.
The finalists were selected from a group of 17 schools that participated in the preliminary round, which featured a total of 34 students. Competitors prepared by studying a word list comprising approximately 3,000 words ahead of the event.
The final round of the competition will be streamed live on the official Facebook page of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
A recording of the preliminary round is also available for viewing on the same platform, at BVIGovernment.
Local News
BVI Officials Host Panel on Early Childhood Development Challenges and Solutions

Officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports in the British Virgin Islands recently convened a panel discussion addressing the challenges and opportunities in early childhood development across the Territory.
The panel brought together voices from education, health, and the private sector. Participants included Chief Education Officer Mrs Orlandette Crabbe; Consultant Paediatrician in the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Dr Natasha Frett; Founder of Imagination Academy VI Ms Sharia de Castro; and Education Officer responsible for Early Childhood Development Ms Kimberly George.
The session focused on the importance of early childhood education and the need for strategic approaches to prepare young children with both academic and non-academic skills.
Chief Education Officer Mrs Crabbe emphasised the value of foundational skills in preparing children for formal schooling.
“In formal schooling we start from the very beginning, but let me tell you what we want,” Mrs Crabbe said. “We want a child that can listen, and follow instructions, who can relate to their peers without throwing a tantrum and falling down because they have to share a pencil or crayon.”
She continued, “We want our centres to be empowered to focus on what matters, and those are those non-academic skills that come about through engagement in a child’s natural environment, which is play.”
Education Officer Ms Kimberly George echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the Ministry’s focus on long-term impact.
“In the Ministry, we worked to add the tagline ‘Early Learning, Lifelong Impact’ because we believe that early learning does have a lifelong impact on our children in the future,” she said. “As a Ministry, we are committed to ensuring that students receive the quality learning experience that they deserve at that level.”
From the health sector, Dr Natasha Frett provided insight on brain development in early childhood and its connection to future learning.
“I am sure many of you would have heard that in the first five years of life, it is very critical for mental and brain development,” Dr Frett stated. “It is during that time that about 90 percent of the brain is being developed, under the age of five. Here we have this opportunity where you have all these neural pathways and connections being formed.”
Dr Frett described this period as “a perfect opportunity to develop certain learning skills—cognitive learning skills, social learning skills—all of these are very important for the age of five because the brain is maturing.”
Founder of Imagination Academy VI Ms Sharia de Castro contributed her perspective from the private education sector, calling for a shift from traditional instruction to more interactive, skill-based learning.
“I think we have to move away from the culture that is quick to put a pencil into their hand and give them a worksheet,” Ms de Castro said. “Instead, give them interactive experiences where their whole body is engaged.”
She explained, “For example, if we are focusing on letter identification or formation, instead of giving them a pencil and asking them to do that, we give them some playdough and ask them to form it instead—because we are building finger muscles and everything that we need for later learning.”
The panel discussion was part of Early Childhood Awareness Week. The full video is available for public viewing on the Government’s official Facebook page at BVIGovernment.
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