A celebration of diversity took place the Friday night before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the St. Thomas Synagogue as the 37th sabbath service honoring the life of the Dr.King was held in conjunction with an awards ceremony recognizing the contributions of seven area high school students to their community. Elliott Davis, Jr., an intern at Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. and a student at The Antilles School was one of the students honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards, which included a certificate and a $500 savings bond. The students were chosen for their high academic standing, extracurricular activities and their exemplification of the values of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The other award recipients were Annathar Alexander from Charlotte Amalie High School, Alain Michael Brin from Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Eilese Cross from the Seventh-day Adventist School, Simonique Pearl-Edwards from V.I. Montessori School and International Academy, J’Nay Penn from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and Jeanna Perry from All Saints School.
The students were recognized by the congregation of the St. Thomas Synangogue as being "products of the parentage and heritage" of their families with "values of intellectual stimulation of their guidance counselors, teachers and clergymen," many of whom were in attendance at the service in a show of support to the students.
Elliott Davis, Jr., in addition to serving as an intern with Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. is an honor roll student who has chosen the most challenging courses of study, taking the maximum advanced placement classes offered. He is an active member of the National Honor Society and has participated in two years in the summer Junior Statesman Program in Washington, D.C.
He participates extensively in sports receiving the Coaches Award for basketball. He also participates in the Quiz Bowl and let The Antilles School team to a championship victory in the Territory.
Elliott Davis, Jr. has proven his sense of community service through his participation in mission work with his church youth group at the St. Thomas Reformed Church spending his spring break for four consecutive years helping those in need. He has more community service hours than any young man in his class.
At the award presentation, Elliott was noted by his headmaster, Paul Horvitz, as a true humanitarian and "a natural leader in the best sense — he leads by being who he is and follows his strong convictions."