Johnson & Wales University freshman Sa’akiim Arnold has been named the 2025 recipient of the Lorette Resch Scholarship, awarded by the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association’s Education and Training Committee. Arnold received $2,500 in scholarship funds in December, the association announced in a press release.
“The Education and Training Committee is proud to award this year’s scholarship to Sa’akiim,” said USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton. “He has consistently demonstrated his dedication and enthusiasm through his academic achievements and enrichment programs. His participation in internships within his chosen field has provided valuable insight and a strong foundation for his goals.”
Hamilton and Samuel Rey, owner of Host U Services and chair of the Education and Training Committee, presented Arnold with the scholarship check. Funding for the 2025 award was provided through a donation from Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove.
“I believe my passion, combined with my hands-on experience, has prepared me well for any upcoming challenges I may face,” Arnold wrote in his essay to the committee. “I can’t wait to sharpen my skills, learn from a team of professionals and make my contributions to the food and hospitality industries.”
Arnold graduated from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in 2025, where he earned multiple accolades and participated in extracurricular activities, including the Summer Employment Program. Through that program, he worked with The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, in the culinary department.
Arnold is currently attending Johnson & Wales University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Food and Beverage Management and Culinary Arts.
The Lorette Resch Scholarship is an initiative of the USVIHTA Education and Training Committee, which supports education and workforce development to strengthen the territory’s hospitality and tourism industry.
