Cul de Sac:---  St. Maarten Academy has copped 10 top spots from among more than 100,000 candidates who wrote the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations in May/June this year, three more than the previous year.

Most notable is the performance of Ferley Feliz Valerio, who for the second consecutive year, earned a number one spot on the Regional Merit List, which was released last Thursday via the CXC website.

Ferley, who was the best performing student in Human and Social Biology at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations last year while in Form 5, can now boast of being the best Digital Media Unit 1 student at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Academy candidates for Digital Media Unit 1 were taught by Ms. Kester Small, whose guidance each year has placed students in the top 10 at the regional examinations. This year, Digital Media Unit 1 students copped six of the 10 top spots, with Meer Lalwani emerging behind Ferley in second place, Yovarsha Singh at fifth, Kailah Caines at sixth place, and Leondre Mullings and Nathan Sagnia copping tenth place due to a five-way tie.

Rounding off the CAPE top performers are Fara Colas, who placed fifth for Performing Arts, and Sarai Willemsburg, the latter of whom tied with another candidate in Trinidad for ninth place, also in Performing Arts. Due to the shortage of teachers on Sint Maarten, the 31Year 2 CAPE students followed Performing Arts online under the tutelage of Mrs. Abigail Joefield, who, for the second consecutive year, guided students to the top spots. She expressed her joy at their outstanding performance, as it was sometimes a challenge not being able to conduct face-to-face classes.

CAPE Coordinator, Mrs. Doreen Edwards Mac Intosh, who took over the helm of the Division from Ms. Small last year, congratulated her teachers for their hard work and dedication. She reminded them that it always takes a team to do great things.

Ms. Small, who joined the Information Technology Department of St. Maarten Academy in 2017, began teaching Digital Media in 2019, and ever since then, she has produced exceptional results. In 2021, three of her students merited. The following year, she secured four of the top 10 spots. In 2023 and last year, again, her students grabbed a total of four places between Units 1 and 2.

At the CSEC level, two out of the school’s 54 candidates made it into the top 10. Kushi Jeetendra Soneji, who will be graduating as Salutatorian in December, placed third for Human and Social Biology (HSB); while Magdalina Dorlis copped eighth place for Music, which was taught by one of Anguilla’s veteran Music instructors, Mrs. Daphne Jacobs-Richardson. Mrs. Jacobs-Richardson’s students have consistently performed well each year since the school entered its first CXC Music candidate, Jabari ‘Jabz’ York, in 2015, who placed fourth in the region.

Commenting on Dorlis’s achievement, Mrs. Jacobs Richardson said she worked with the child, as Music was an additional elective that could not be taught during the regular scheduled hours. “She was juggling between Music and another elective, so I had to work with her extra during breaktime and on the weekend for her to catch up. Music is a demanding subject, so I feel proud of her because, despite her heavy workload, she was able to make it into the top 10.”

Mrs. Thekara Chandler, who heads the school’s Science Department, too, was excited over Khushi’s performance in HSB. “I’m elated to hear that Khushi made the CSEC Merit list for Human & Social Biology. This achievement reflects her hard work and dedication in the subject. It's a significant milestone that not only showcases her academic abilities but also opens up opportunities for her future studies and career in the sciences. Celebrating her success is truly inspiring as she continues striving for excellence,” stated Mrs. Chandler.

The school’s Principal, Mrs. Kim Lucas-Felix, could not contain her joy at the Academy’s performance this year at the CXC examinations, both at CSEC and CAPE. She noted that once again, the students continue to put this tiny island on top among other big countries where thousands of students sit the regional examinations. The repeated outstanding performance, she said, not only speaks volumes about the quality of education at the school, but by extension, the island of Sint Maarten.

“We are a competitive school. I must give props to our School Board - the Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) - that supports the Management in trying its best to provide all that is needed to ensure that our students receive quality education. Apart from that, all of us must recognise our children’s greatness and encourage them to do their best. Let us continue to speak positive words into their lives and stop criticizing them when they slip up. Always remember that none of us is perfect and along the way, our ‘villages’ guided us and made us who we are today, so let us do the same for our youth, and they will shine.”

“I would also like to recognise our hardworking teachers, who give so much more than they are being paid for. Without them, we could not have accomplished this feat year after year. So thank you teachers! Thank you to my Management team, especially Vice Principal Joanna Trim, who took over as CXC Coordinator last year and held the helm for most of 2025 while I was out on medical leave. Also, I have much gratitude to the parents who trusted us with their children’s education and well-being,” the principal stated.

The Principal would also like to express appreciation to the CXC Local Registrar and Head of Examinations Division within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, drs. Yvette Halley, “who often goes beyond the call of duty to guide us (the CXC schools), among her many other responsibilities. She makes herself available at any hour of the day or night, and despite her heavy workload forwards our queries and provides clarification.”

The Board of the Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE), under which the school falls, stated through its Executive Director, drs. Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool: “This outstanding performance shows what becomes possible when students, teachers, families, and leadership pull in one direction with purpose and belief. It reminds us that excellence is never accidental, but the result of vision, discipline, and a community that believes deeply in its young people. As FAVE continues to reimagine education, we remain committed to nurturing every student’s potential so they can lead, innovate, and uplift our island and the wider Caribbean.”

Reflections from our students

1. Ferley Feliz Valero - First Place (Digital Media Unit 1)

 The now Sixth Form student, who emerged as valedictorian for the Class of 2024, said: “I am feeling grateful to be first on the CAPE Digital Media Unit 1 Merit List for 2025. I just want to give a huge thanks to my teacher, Ms. Small, for her guidance and support throughout the. Words cannot express how proud I am of my students on this incredible feat. These six students’ record number of placements in this year’s merit list serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Digital Media Unit 1 cohort, all of whom returned Grade Ones at this year’s sitting. Ferley was an exemplary student throughout, and I knew she was a shoo-in for first place regionally.”

2. Meer Lalwaniu - Second Place (Digital Media Unit 1)

“I am truly honored to have tied for second place on the CAPE Digital Media Merit List. Although I knew I did well, earning this recognition was a pleasant surprise. I’m deeply grateful to my teachers and parents for their support, and I’m proud to have made my school’s name shine.”

3. Yovarsha Singh - Fifth Place (Digital Media Unit 1)

“Being named on the regional merit list is truly an honor. I’m grateful for this recognition and for everyone who helped me along the way.”

4. Kailah Caines - Sixth Place (Digital Media Unit 1)

“It's an honour to be recognized on the regional merit list. This achievement inspires me to keep striving for excellence and reminds me that hard work pays off.”

5. Leondre Mullings - Tenth Place (Digital Media Unit 1)

“I am deeply honored to be included on the regional merit list. This recognition means a lot to me and reflects the hard work, dedication, and support from my teachers, family, and friends.”

6.  Nathan Sagnia - Tenth Place (Digital Media Unit 1)

“Knowing that I made it on the merit list for Digital Media…I do appreciate that I’ve gotten it, and I am thankful that I did.”

~Case of “Great Bay Development” Seen as Prototype for New Incentive Framework. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams has formally written to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication,  raising a series of questions and recommendations regarding Sint Maarten’s tax holiday legislation and the broader system of fiscal incentives.

The MP notes that the matter of so-called tax holidays has long been under scrutiny, both in Parliament and in the public domain. “Recent questions by a colleague member of Parliament again highlight the need for clarity and transparency in how these tax incentives are applied,” Wescot-Williams stated.

In her letter, Wescot-Williams references responses given to Parliament in 2023 by the then Minister of Finance concerning the disclosure of tax-holiday information. She asks whether the current Ministers share the same view regarding disclosure to Parliament and transparency in these matters.

The MP further points out that documents and presentations to Parliament on tax reform to date suggest the abolition of existing tax holiday legislation. “If this is indeed the Government’s position, it should be clearly stated. If not, the Government should outline its view on the continued existence or reform of this legislation,” she wrote.

Wescot-Williams also referenced a 2019 announcement by the former Minister of Finance that an amendment to the incentive framework was being prepared, asking what became of that initiative.

The MP highlighted the 2018 tax holiday granted to the developer of the “Great Bay” property, noting that an extension was later given by Ministerial Decree in 2020. She questions whether the required investment criteria were met, whether there was a measurable economic justification, and whether the subsequent decree was validly tied to the original 2018 decree.

“These questions go to the heart of how fiscal incentives are granted, monitored, and enforced,” the MP emphasized.

Pending answers, Wescot-Williams proposes using this case as a test model for a reformed, modernized incentive framework. Her recommendations to Government include:

Establishing a Policy Review using the Great Bay case as a pilot to test post-grant auditing and compliance tools;

Introducing clear criteria for future incentive requests, including economic and environmental impact assessments;

Embedding revocation clauses to withdraw benefits in cases of non-compliance;

Separating CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives from tax incentives; and

Publishing approved incentive projects and results, taking a look at Curaçao’s 2024 “revision and repair” Ordinance.

“Although the Great Bay case may be considered procedurally closed, it offers a timely opportunity for Sint Maarten to demonstrate proactive governance and fiscal responsibility,” Wescot-Williams stated. “By testing new evaluation tools and transparency measures on this case, the Government can set a regional benchmark in sound economic management and accountability.”

She concluded that this initiative, if pursued promptly, could position Sint Maarten as a regional leader in transparent and responsible investment policy.

PHILIPSBURG:---  November 15, 2025 - Members of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, the Learning Unlimited Interact and EarlyAct Clubs, and the St. Maarten Academy Interact Club gathered at the Belair Community Center today to prepare 225 Food Baskets for the upcoming Holiday season. An assembly line of volunteers put flour, rice, cereals, canned vegetables, and many other food items necessary for a great holiday feast into Carrefour Market bags and staged them for same-day delivery to those in need.
According to Rotary Club of Sint Maarten President, Adelena Chandler, “The preparation and distribution of food baskets to those in need goes right back to the reason so many of us are members of Rotary. We all simply want to ‘do good in the world,’ and the distribution of these food baskets is just another example of doing good in the world right here in our local community. I am particularly proud that our young leaders, the Interactors and Earlyactors, who have shown us the importance of serving our community, continue to live on in the new generation. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten, please accept our best wishes for a joyous, safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.

Chandler continued, "Thank you to everyone who helped organize today's effort. I would be remiss if I did not mention James Park, our Service Project Chair, and our Past President Danny Ramchandani for their special efforts to make this project a success. Happy Holiday Season to all!

For more information about the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, please contact the Rotary Club of St. Maarten Press Officer at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website www.rotarysxm.com.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Former Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport of Sint Maarten, Wycliffe Smith, was the sole representative from Sint Maarten at the international conference “Christianity and Slavery in the Dutch Caribbean Islands, Surinam, and the Netherlands,” held November 10–14 at the University of Curaçao.
The conference was organized by the University of Curaçao, the Protestant Theological University of Utrecht, and the Free University of Amsterdam. It brought together scholars and clergy and researchers from the Netherlands, the USA, Africa, Surinam, Indonesia, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Aruba, and Curaçao. Over four days, participants examined how Christian denominations shaped, supported, or resisted the structures of slavery throughout the Dutch colonial world. With some 40 presentations delivered, the event offered a rich comparative view of religion’s role during the era of enslavement.
Only two presentations focused on the Dutch Windward Islands. Ms. Alma Louise de Bode-Olten presented on the Anglican/Episcopal Church in Saba, St. Maarten, and St. Eustatius. Smith’s presentation followed, entitled “The Role of the Christian Church in the History of Slavery on the Dutch Windward Islands (1643–1863),” which was met with enthusiasm for its clarity, depth, and historical precision.
Drawing on extensive archival research, Smith compared the six major churches active on St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten during slavery: the Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, and Roman Catholic churches. He emphasized that the first four, aligned closely with the colonial powers, offered little spiritual outreach to the enslaved. Their ministries largely excluded the enslaved population, reflecting the social and racial divisions of the time.
In contrast, the Methodist and Roman Catholic churches sought to evangelize the enslaved, promote literacy, and encourage moral and spiritual development. Smith highlighted how these churches became vital spaces of dignity, community, and hope, offering the enslaved a faith that empowered rather than suppressed.
Smith also pointed to the striking legacy of these contrasting approaches. The Reformed, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches, once influential among the colonialists, have largely disappeared from the islands. The Methodist and Catholic churches, however, remain vibrant, “filled with the descendants of those who were once denied entry,” he noted. His closing line resonated deeply with attendees: “That, brothers and sisters, is God at work. The gospel that was meant to control the enslaved became the gospel that set them free.”
On the final day, participants toured several historic religious sites on Curaçao, including the island’s earliest Dutch Reformed and Roman Catholic churches; spaces where the intersections of faith and slavery remain preserved until this day.
Smith shared that he is finalizing his research for publication and is in discussion with House of Nehesi Publishers. His forthcoming work will offer an important contribution to the understanding of the complex role that Christianity played on the Dutch Windward Islands.
Through his presentation, Wycliffe Smith ensured that the stories of St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius were firmly represented within the broader Caribbean narrative of faith, oppression, resilience, and redemption.