Fresh from becoming the first V.I. professional athlete to medal in an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world championship competition, sprinter LaVerne Jones-Ferrette came home to a hero’s welcome on St. Croix Thursday.
When she walked into the arrival area at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport just before 9 p.m., camera flashes started going off like fireworks, the crowd burst into cheers and well-wishers rushed up to fill her arms with bouquets of flowers.
"I’m so excited, I really did not expect all this," Jones-Ferrette said, as the throng of media pushed microphones and cameras in her direction. "I can’t even describe this. It is a good feeling here tonight. It is great to see all the people who came out with this support," she said.
Jones-Ferrette won a silver medal on March 14th in the 60-meter sprint at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar. It has been a good year for the two-time Olympic competitor. She is ranked no. 1 in the world right now, following her stunning 6.97 in Stuttgart, the fastest women’s 60-meter time in 11 years.
Senators, government officials, radio hosts and other important people peppered the crowd, many wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Jones-Ferrette’s likeness. Eurman Fahie, assistant track coach at St. Croix Educational Complex, made the shirts on the fly, from a photo he got just yesterday.
"She’s a superstar and she used to run with us at Complex," Fahie said. "It’s really important we show our support and patriotism."
Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis was one of the first to bestow a bouquet upon Jones-Ferrette. "The reason we are here is we love you," Francis said.
Former Sen. Ronald Russell stepped up to the microphones and praised her as a role model, not only for doing well in athletics but completing her college degree first.
She responded she was glad she did, but said an education is not the only route to success.
"Education is a big help, but you should pursue and do what you love," she said.
Between television and radio interviews, receiving gift baskets and bags and hearing the praises of various important persons, she paused to sign autographs and take pictures with well-wishers. Asked what advice she had for young Virgin Islanders, she said, "Just be yourself; work to accomplish what you want to accomplish and have fun doing whatever you are doing."
