In collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands and the Division of Festivals, “WOW Wednesday: A Vibe Like No Other” took place Wednesday at the Albert A. Sheen Campus Student Activities Center Terrace.
Students and visitors enjoyed an afternoon of eating, shopping, and dancing. WOW Wednesday featured local vendors, cultural showcases, live music, and a taste of what’s to come for the St. Croix Festival season.
Tourism Commissioner Nominee Jennifer Matarangas-King described the event as a “labor of love” and a joyful way to bring the excitement of festival season directly to campus.
“Very happy to be here at WOW Wednesday. This is a labor of love for us — we’ve been working on this for a few weeks to bring our mini festival to campus and get our students excited about what we have to offer during the festival season,” Matarangas-King said. “It’s a full season packed with amazing events, and there’s really something for everyone. We want the community to know it’s going to be a culturally rich festival experience from beginning to end.”
She added that the department also used the event as an opportunity to encourage student involvement.
“We’re encouraging students to volunteer with the festival team,” she said. “We always need help, and it’s a great way to be exposed to the tourism industry and earn community service hours while doing something fun and meaningful.”
Deputy Commissioner of Tourism Shamari Haynes said the department was eager to partner with UVI to help students see the opportunities available within the local tourism and hospitality industry.
“The Department of Tourism has partnered with the university to provide support and reengage with the hospitality program,” Haynes said. “We want students to know they don’t have to go far to gain experience. There’s an excellent program here, and we’re invested in the community. We just want to provide easy access and show that they’re part of the process too.”
The event featured live music, local vendors, masqueraders, and festival royalty, creating a lively atmosphere that mirrored the spirit of Carnival. Haynes said the goal was to blend culture and campus life while also encouraging student involvement in upcoming festivities.
“We wanted to make sure all aspects of our culture were represented,” he said. “Many of our students come from different Caribbean islands or are exchange students, so this gives them a chance to experience that cultural connection. As we lead up to the Crucian Christmas Festival, we’re also encouraging students to volunteer, join parade troupes, and get involved. It’s about bridging the gap between our community, local businesses, and the students.”
For Colvin T. Georges Jr., Ph.D., dean of students at the Albert A. Sheen Campus, the event represented not just celebration, but it was about building a sense of belonging.
“It’s important for students to build community, be around each other, form friendships and partnerships,” Georges said. “We really wanted to create a sense of connection and belonging to the university. Partnering with the Division of Festivals made perfect sense. There are so many students who want to feel connected to the institution, and this brings everyone together as we go into the holiday season.”
Georges credited Michael Bell, director of Student Life and Leadership at Albert. A. Sheen Campus, for helping bring the idea to life. Bell, a UVI alumnus, joined the team earlier this year and immediately began working on ways to reenergize the St. Croix campus.
“We talked about breathing more life back into campus,” Georges said. “Michael took that vision and used his connections across the territory, especially with the Department of Tourism, to help make this partnership happen. It’s amazing to see it come to life.”
