2011 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

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PRETRIAL INTERVENTION ACTIVITIESRISING STARS YOUTH STEEL ORCHESTRAIn addition to its core diversion case processing functions,the Superior Court continues to administer its primaryjuvenile delinquency prevention program -- the Rising StarsYouth Steel Orchestra, now in its 30th year of operation inthe St. Thomas-St. John District. By its very nature, theCourt traditionally responds to social ills at the back end -after a problem or delinquency issue has already surfaced.However, through the Rising Stars Program, the Court hasadopted an innovative approach that permits it the rareopportunity to address social issues at the front end - beforeour youth become a statistic of the judicial system. Throughthis prevention program, the Court has served more than300 students – Territory wide - and continues to provideyear-round initiatives that engage students in positive andeducational activities in a supervised setting. Initiallycreated in the St. Thomas-St. John District, the Courtestablished the same program on St. Croix five years ago andcontinues to expand in that District.This program continues to be unique in that it is the onlyprogram of its kind that is found in any judicial branch ofgovernment – nationally or internationally. This one-ofa-kindprogram provides members between the ages often (10) and eighteen (18) with a variety of educational,social and cultural activities in addition to a “home awayfrom home”. In addition to learning the art of playing thesteelpan, members are introduced to academic and personalgrowth and development activities through the Program’safter school Tutorial and Enrichment Program and theyparticipate in various life skills and career preparationworkshops; rap sessions; educational trips; and, the followingcollege matriculation workshops: Planning for College,Financial Aid Workshops, Career Planning Seminars,Resume Writing and Interviewing Techniques.After thirty years of operation, the Program’s thrust continuesto focus on improving member’s academic skills, preparingthem for post-secondary education or employment - whilesimultaneously building future leaders. During this fiscalyear, fourteen tutors were retained – between both districts- and rendered academic assistance to the members in theareas of English, History, Math, Science and ComputerApplications/Office Technology.At the beginning of this fiscal year, the Rising Stars Programin the St. Thomas-St. John District maintained a membershipof 160 students. This fiscal year, approximately 140 membersperformed at Reichhold in their presentation of “TheEssence of Classics on Steel.” During this presentation, theOrchestra showcased the talent and skills of its members –not only playing the steelpan, but also in dancing and playinga variety of wind instruments along with the Orchestra. Atechnological first was achieved as the Orchestra, under theleadership of Instructor James Gittens, Jr. and the studentsin his videography class, streamed the concert live via theinternet. It was seen by many alumni and other supporters– locally, nationally and internationally.Following their Annual Christmas Concert, which receivedoverwhelming accolades from community members, theOrchestra continued its tradition of serenading at variouslocations throughout the island, including: Seaview NursingHome, Yellow Cedar Group Home, the Superior Court, thePost Office Square, and both cruise ship docks – Crown Bayand West Indian Company Ltd. (WICO).The Orchestra in the St. Croix District maintained a total ofninety-three members, eighty of those members participatedin the 2010-11 Festival parades. The staff was pleased tonote, for the first time in the Orchestra’s existence, thatthere were enough instruments to allow all the members toperform at the same time during the parades. The Orchestrawas awarded 1st prize for their presentations in both theChildren’s and Adult’s Festival Parade. During this season,the Orchestra also participated in a variety of activities,including: hosting a mini concert in the Sunny Isle ShoppingCenter; participation in Pan Fest, World Food Day, and theopening of Home Depot; and, they also performed duringthe St. Croix Educational Complex 1st Annual Evening ofPan concert.52
The Orchestra in the St. Thomas-St. John District celebratedits 30th Anniversary during the Carnival Season as theyparticipated in the usual Carnival events: Panorama, Pre-Teen Tramp, the Food Fair, the Children’s and the Adult’sParades. During the Adult’s Parade, the Orchestra alsoincluded a float in its presentation which depicted itsthirty year history. A highlight of the Carnival Season wasthe return of approximately forty alumni members whoperformed during the Panorama.During the month of June, twenty-six members (26) in the St.Thomas-St. John District received their high school diploma– twenty (20) who successfully completed the program andreceived the Jahmal Andrew/Rising Stars Scholarship, aCertificate of Participation, and a 30th Anniversary RisingStars Watch.In the District of St. Croix, the Third Seniors’ Luncheonentitled “A Star Studded Celebration” was held to recognizethe Orchestra’s eight graduating seniors. Each of the proudgraduates received a laptop and a financial scholarship in theamount of $700.00.During the Summer Season, the Orchestras continuedtheir bi-annual recruitment efforts and ninety-six (96) newmembers successfully completed the recruitment programin the District of St. Thomas-St. John. Enrollment withinthe Orchestra increased to two hundred eighteen (218)members – with one hundred twenty-two (122) activeveteran members. In the District of St. Croix, forty one (41)new members were accepted, which brought their currentmembership to ninety-three active members.In addition to playing the steelpan, the recruits in bothdistricts participated in rap sessions which included a varietyof topics, including: listening skills, emergency medicaltechniques and training, leadership and money managementskills, bullying and conflict resolution, peer pressure, howto avoid the criminal justice system, in addition to a careerplanning workshop. They also participated in various sportsactivities, beach outings/beach clean-up, bowling, golfing,skating and hiking.During this fiscal year, the Rising Stars were involved in avariety of events, which provided positive social, culturaland academic activities in which the members were ableto participate. They performed for various Department ofTourism and other fund raising activities. In the District ofSt. Croix, the Orchestra also obtained a mini grant from theDepartment of Human Service in the amount $2,500.00 tofacilitate their summer activities.FY11 MEMBERSHIP - By Gender53
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Page 6 and 7: conferences, seminars, and other ev
Page 8 and 9: Branch agencies for appropriations.
Page 10 and 11: HISTORYThe Supreme Courtof the Virg
Page 12 and 13: Designated JusticesIn cases where o
Page 14 and 15: APPELLATE JURISDICTIONSupreme Court
Page 16: CASE PROCESSING AND MOTION PRACTICE
Page 20 and 21: Pro Hac Vice Admission. The Virgin
Page 22 and 23: Continuing Legal Education.Supreme
Page 24: ReceivershipsIn the event an attorn
Page 27 and 28: Employee BreakdownBy Departmentthe
Page 29: LOOKING FORWARDThe Supreme Court is
Page 34 and 35: THE OFFICE OF THE COURTADMINISTRATO
Page 36: ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORTDIVISIONF
Page 42: The Annual Employees’ and Supervi
Page 45 and 46: Superior Court of the Virgin Island
Page 47 and 48: FIGURE 2: STT/J FY11 - New Diversio
Page 49 and 50: Fig. 6: STT/J FY11 - PIP Activity S
Page 51: Additionally, the following represe
Page 55 and 56: The Rising Stars completed their th
Page 57 and 58: During FY11, the Probation Division
Page 59 and 60: FY11 TERRITORIAL - Client Education
Page 61 and 62: In the St. Thomas-St. John District
Page 63 and 64: and the Rising Stars Panyard in the
Page 65 and 66: • Host the Bureau of Corrections
Page 67 and 68: Court is kept; rather, all of the f
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2011 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

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