The Virgin Islands Humanities Council Announces 2008 Heath Award Winners
Date: May 23, 2008 | Press Release: #08-003
The V. I. Humanities Council is pleased to announce the 2008 Heath Award for Teaching Excellence recipients: Ms. M. Lisa Etre of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School from the St. Thomas/St. John district and Mrs. Cedelle Petersen-Christopher of Claude O. Markoe Elementary School from the St. Croix district. The Heath Award was established in 2003 and recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K-12, one from each district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities. "Each winner is given a cash award of $1,000 for their commitment to teaching and enriching their students through the humanities, stated Mabel Maduro, Executive Director of the Humanities Council."
Ms. M. Lisa Etre's Life reflects her commitment to nurturing, directing, and educating youths through art depicting Caribbean history & culture. Ms. Etre has been able to produce annual youth art exhibitions and has facilitated the production, merchandizing, and sale of her student's artwork creating revenue for student earned income, art scholarships, and Kean's Art Department. She is an alumnus of the American University and has completed Graduate Studies at El Instituto Allende. Her artwork has been featured in Island Magazine and on the Bill Cosby Show.
Mrs. Cedelle Petersen-Christopher has 18 years of teaching experience and seven years as a Librarian. She has been actively involved in local storytelling, the promotion of literacy in content areas that provided professional development for educators and students, and the preservation of V. I. culture. Mrs. Petersen-Christopher constantly shares her knowledge of storytelling, puppetry, singing, dancing, and acting with her students and the V. I. community. She participates annually in the re-enactment of the Fireburn of 1878, provides coaching for students to read on a Saturday Radio program, and preserves the V. I. culture through her cariso song performances. Mrs. Petersen-Christopher has a Master of Arts degree in Library Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Educations.
For further information about the Heath Award, please call the V. I. Humanities Council at 776-4044.