On Thursday, the Raphael O. Wheatley Skill Center held its annual commencement ceremony for students who have received training and certifications for a number of technical education classes, celebrating the graduation of 152 students.
The graduation at the Charlotte Amalie High School auditorium was filled with graduates eager to apply their new skills and supporters ready to champion them.
After an eloquent invocation rendered by nail technician graduate, Kezia Corbett, speaking of courage and wisdom, Mario Francis, principal of the school, spoke about the accomplishments the center has made recently that the 2025 class experienced. From changing facilities, to creating a record high for male enrollment and graduation rates, to an increase in job placement rates, the 2025 class helped to create new earmarks for the school.
“We have been steadfastly working to make certain we are keeping up with the times and we are preparing students for the workforce,” said Francis.
According to the principal, a little more than 50 percent of the students have been offered jobs in their concentrations. Fields such as hospitality, health care, and housing development are areas of placement anticipated for the graduates.
To the graduates, Francis quoted from the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, and told them, “From the time that you filled out your first application with us, until the time you took your last exam, God of creation was leading you to the plan that He has for you.”
Remarks by Career and Technical Education State Director Monique Faulkner, Board of Education member Arah Lockhart, and Insular Superintendent Stephan Jurgen were given, encouraging the graduates on their new journeys.
The 2025 class salutatorian and electrical graduate, Denry Blake, then addressed the audience and was grateful to his family, education staff, and supporters for assisting him during his schooling. He gave his classmates an acronym to remember while engaging in the workforce.
“Before you step into the working world with your new skill, I would like to make the word ‘skill’ an acronym that you would remember on your journey,” said Blake. He identified ‘s’ and told his classmates they are special, ‘k’ reminding them to be kind, ‘i’ for them to improve their trades, ‘l’ to listen and learn, and the last ‘l’ for laughter and leisure.

Jessica Gibs, valedictorian and a clinical medical assistant graduate, was also thankful to her family, co-workers, classmates, and the education staff.
To her class, she said, “Let us continue to learn, continue to rise, and continue to succeed, because success is just not about reaching the top. It is also about reaching back, reaching within, and reaching out.”
Education Department Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington told the graduates to “Stay committed to lifelong learning,” and added, “You are all winners, you have all proven that you have what it takes. It’s just up to you to prove it and show this world who you really are.”
After Wells-Hendrington, Qian Harrigan Thomas serenaded the class. Then, speaking in place of Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, Senate President Milton Potter commended the graduates on their perseverance.
Keynote speaker Leslie Comissiong spoke to the graduating class about overcoming challenges and lessons to reflect on for their careers.
“I think the Raphael Wheatley Center is one of the best-kept secrets in the Virgin Islands,” she said.

Comissiong encouraged the graduates to meditate daily, “feel the fear and do it anyway,” to not get comfortable, and to know that “this too shall pass,” among many other affirmations. “Learn to see things from all angles and leave room for other perspectives and scenarios,” she added, as well as encouraging the graduates to give back to your community.
Comissiong concluded by informing the class to be on time.
After, there was a musical selection by Elijhaie Brathwaite who played the steel pan before the distribution of certificates.
Before the recession of the graduates, an anecdotal benediction was provided by Kellijah Lettsome, alluding to a time when he wanted to become a rapper in school and has now changed course to becoming an emergency medical technician, graduating with the 2025 class.
More information on the Wheatley Skill Center can be obtained by calling the Education Department at 340-774-0100.