The excitement was electric as International Capital & Management Company (ICMC) hosted its Eighth Annual Student Hall of Hope “Celebrate Life” Art Exhibition and Fun Day on May 16, 2012, at The Reichhold Center for the Arts. 
The sounds of the E. Benjamin Oliver Steel Owls Orchestra, WTJX’s mascot Langford the Lizard, and a host of colorfully-adorned clown helpers greeted children. Over 250 students arrived with wide smiles and high-anticipation for the fun day aheadas ICMC celebrated the children’s varied artistic and creative on and off stage talents.
Presented by International Capital and Management Company (ICMC) annually, The Student Hall of Hope, honors the artistic talents of Virgin Island students, as each year they invite public, elementary and middle school students on St. Thomas to create works of art and artistically display their personal renditions of “Celebrate Life,” in recognition of their client, Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s annual event.
“Together, we educate the community’s youth on health awareness, as well as teach the children about the importance of celebrating life, overcoming challenges, and defeating the odds, whatever they may be,” said ICMC President, Cornel Williams.
ICMC provides all of the art materials necessary for each representing class to create a work of art around the annual theme. The event culminates in a fun-day and much-celebrated art show, inclusive of awards, student performances, and fun-filled activity stations for all attendees. 
“The event has proven to be very meaningful over the years, due to the commitment of administrators, art teachers, and parents alike, who have worked in collaboration with ICMC to make the event a success,” said Karen Nelson-Hughes, ICMC’s Community Relations Manager. “This year’s event is the biggest and best we’ve had so far with some outstanding onstage performance and over 250 participating student from across the Territory,” she added.
This year’s inclusion of WTJX’s mascot Langford also added to the excitement of the day along with a focus on healthy eating choices. The youngsters snacked on fresh apples and salad as part of the days menu options, which reenforced the theme.
“This year, we wanted to truly model wellness by offering healthy eating options for the children so that the event could really bring that aspect of our theme home as they enjoyed the day,” explained Nelson-Hughes.
On stage performances included Classical Mezzo-Soprano, Melita Etienne, the Cancryn Junior High School Wachanga Drummers, and The Joseph Sibilly School Quadrille Dancers.
In addition to showcasing the student art at the event, the student’s artwork will also be proudly displayed in the main lobby of Schneider Regional Medical Center following the event, as well as in the Reichhold Center’s gallery during their upcoming family series.
In addition to ICMC’s commitment to support the Virgin Islands community with this annual event, and in an effort to further support the children of the Virgin Islands in expanding their 
creative horizons, ICMC has also put in place a quarterly art supplies program that has been on-going since 2010. The program offers Virgin Islands public schools a consistent avenue of support via a quarterly donation of art supplies valued at $500 and made available to elementary and middle school art teachers on St. Thomas four times a year.
“It’s a way for us to ensure that the creative spirit of Virgin Island students does not go untapped,” explained Nelson-Hughes, adding that the initiative came about following feed-back from participating art teachers.
For more information about the Student Hall of Hope “Celebrate Life” Art Exhibition and Fun Day, contact Karen Nelson-Hughes at (340) 626-5175.
