Ron Harrigan, originally from Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, has been named the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s inaugural Music Educator of the Year. The award will be presented during the orchestra’s annual gala, Soaring Strings, on 26 April at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois.

Harrigan, now residing in Crete, Illinois, has made significant contributions to music education in the state. He became the first band director at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park when it opened in 2010. Under his leadership, the school’s band programme has expanded to include over 140 students participating in various ensembles such as Stage Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra.

In addition to his role at Southland, Harrigan has also taught at Huth Middle School in Matteson, Illinois. He initiated Southland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Band Recruitment Night, providing students with opportunities to audition for college band scholarships.

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra established the Music Educator of the Year award to recognise outstanding contributions to music education within the state. Harrigan is the first recipient of this honour.

The British Virgin Islands community acknowledges Harrigan’s achievements abroad, recognising his dedication to fostering musical excellence among his students.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) National Men’s Team, competing as BVI Elite, faced a challenging start at the One Guyana 3×3 Quest Basketball Tournament on April 5, 2025, at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The team secured one victory but suffered two losses in their opening matches.

BVI Elite’s tournament debut was a nail-biting clash against SKN Sugar Boys from St. Kitts and Nevis. The tightly contested game extended into overtime, where BVI fell just short, losing 13-11.

Undeterred, the team rebounded strongly in their second matchup, dominating host nation Guyana with an impressive 18-8 victory. However, in their final game of the day, BVI Elite faced Carolina from Puerto Rico, the tournament favorites and an undefeated force. Despite a competitive performance, BVI fell 21-16.

Looking ahead, BVI Elite is set to face Ball So Hard from Mexico at 11:20 a.m. on April 6, hoping to improve their record in the tournament.

The tournament winner will earn a coveted spot in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Edmonton, making every match crucial for teams vying for the title.

BVI Elite, proudly backed by the BVI Olympic Committee, features:

• Shakeem Tyson (Captain)

• Jaquan Hodge

• Demron Glasgow

• Antwon Robinson

• Coach: Eustace “Boss” Freeman

Fans can follow the action live at: Watch Here.

The Caribbean is bracing for economic turbulence following the Trump administration’s announcement of sweeping tariffs on imported goods, a policy shift that experts warn could significantly impact regional economies.

The new tariffs, introduced in April 2025, impose a baseline 10% duty on all imports, with higher levies targeting key industries, including automobiles, electronics, and manufacturing materials. The measures are part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign goods and promote domestic production in the United States, but the repercussions are already being felt beyond American borders.

For the Caribbean, where many consumer products, building materials, and energy supplies are imported from or pass through the U.S., the new trade barriers threaten to drive up costs and disrupt supply chains. Caribbean businesses and governments are now forced to reassess trade strategies and consider alternative markets as they navigate this sudden shift in U.S. policy.

Economists predict a sharp rise in consumer prices across the region. Essential goods such as appliances, motor vehicles, and construction supplies could see double-digit price hikes as importers pass on increased costs to consumers. Additionally, tourism, the lifeblood of many Caribbean economies, could take a hit if American consumers face higher expenses at home and cut back on discretionary spending, including travel to the region.

Beyond direct economic impacts, the tariffs are raising concerns about future trade relations between the U.S. and the Caribbean. CARICOM leaders have expressed apprehension over the unpredictability of American trade policies and the potential for further restrictions that could stifle economic growth. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has called for a unified CARICOM response, urging regional leaders to negotiate with the U.S. government to protect Caribbean interests.

As the new tariffs take effect, Caribbean governments and businesses must explore ways to diversify trade partners, strengthen regional economic cooperation, and invest in local production to mitigate reliance on imported goods.