SouthSea Rising launched Coral Rising, its first Virgin Islands youth program track, on July 7 and 8 in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation.
The two-day pilot served two separate cohorts of middle and high school students, connecting them to agriculture, marine environments, and future career pathways through hands-on experiences across St. Thomas.
At We Grow Food Inc., students learned about mango grafting, aloe, varieties of lemongrass grown in the Virgin Islands, and how crops can be developed into value-added products. At the UVI MacLean Marine Science Center, students explored mangroves, coral reefs, marine ecosystems, octopus research, scientific diving, and careers connected to the ocean. They also crossed Brewers Bay to reach the center, carefully navigating the shoreline and experiencing the marine environment firsthand.
From leading schools to luxury eco-resorts, organizations across the country are investing in agriculture, environmental education, food systems, and outdoor learning because people are seeking more authentic connections to the places they visit and call home. Coral Rising brings that same forward-thinking approach to the Virgin Islands, helping students recognize that not only the Territory’s coastlines and waters, but its farms and forests are a financially stimulating part of its present and future economy and worth investing in.
“We created Coral Rising to show VI students that meaningful opportunities already exist around them,” said SouthSea Rising Founder Quianah Upton. “By introducing them directly to local farmers, marine professionals, educators, and the environments they care for, we hope they begin to see the Virgin Islands differently and imagine themselves as part of its future.”
Students were guided throughout the program by Chloe Camacho and Bradley Arrington of the University of the Virgin Islands, Farmer Thomas and Sister Benita Martin of We Grow Food Inc., Upton, and SouthSea Rising Youth Coordinator Annesa Gayle.
At the conclusion of the program, each student received a Coral Rising Certificate of Completion. SouthSea Rising also presented Youth Impact Recognition Awards to the Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation, Reef Response, UVI Youth Ocean Explorers, and the University of the Virgin Islands in appreciation of their partnership and commitment to Virgin Islands youth. Students applauded one another as certificates were presented and celebrated
the organizations that helped bring the program to life.
Partners included the Virgin Islands Dept. of Sports, Parks & Recreation, We Grow Food Inc., UVI Reef Response, and UVI Youth Ocean Explorers.
SouthSea Rising was founded by Quianah Upton, who was raised in St. Thomas and now resides in Atlanta. Its leadership includes board members Annesa Gayle, a Virgin Islander and social services professional based in Atlanta, and Khari Diop, a St. John native and environmental educator and urban farmer, also based in Atlanta.
Planning for Coral Rising 2027 is already underway. SouthSea Rising intends to strengthen existing partnerships, expand programming to St. John, and introduce additional hands-on learning through agriculture, marine environments, food, and creative arts.
About SouthSea Rising
SouthSea Rising is an Atlanta-based youth initiative connecting students with agriculture, marine environments, food systems, creative arts, entrepreneurship, and future career pathways through hands-on educational experiences. Its programs include the Atlanta-based Soil to CEO track and the Virgin Islands-based Coral Rising track with a Florida track in development.
About Quianah Upton
Quianah Upton is an Atlanta based creative entrepreneur, food access advocate and storyteller with 10+ years of experience building community-centered experiences that connect people to food, plants, and place, with a growing focus on youth development, environmental education, and hands-on learning.
