Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

August 8, 2022                                                    340-201-6453

PRESS RELEASE

PLASKETT EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR HER SUMMER 2022 INTERN CLASS

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Plaskett, a Member of the House Ways and Means, Budget and Agriculture Committees released the following statement regarding her interns this past summer:

“This summer, my office was energized by 10 hardworking and dedicated interns in the D.C., St. Croix, and St. Thomas offices. Eager to learn, each of them worked on a variety of substantive issues, including attending briefings with federal agencies and local partners, drafting floor speeches and press statements, community outreach as well as assisting in case work.

“In the D.C. office, the interns - Denver Williams, Grant Castle, Heidi Smalls, and Hannah Edwards - served the people of the Virgin Islands by drafting numerous Floor speeches, press releases, memorandums, and letters on various topics including U.S.-Caribbean trade, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Caribbean American Heritage Month, gun control, women’s rights, and most notably a letter to President Biden denouncing the Insular Cases and in support of U.S. territories’ rights. Our interns also aided the communications team by creating infographics and content for my social media platforms. Additionally, they contributed immensely to the legislative team by attending briefings, such as one to strengthen U.S. and Caribbean relation at the U.S. State Department. They also worked closely with the district offices on providing constituent assistance.

“The St. Thomas and St. Croix office interns were also invaluable to our team. They worked closely with the community and provided hands on assistance to constituents, using innovative and create ways to resolve their issues. Dasmine Maynard, Anapia Brunt, Serena Mohanani, Jacques Liegard, Nia Canton, and Kyle Lewis played key roles in designing and implementing community outreach projects centered around teaching young Virgin Islanders the importance of civics education. They personally visited summer camps and gave civics presentations to elementary, middle school, and high school students. They also served as liaisons between local and federal governments to secure much needed funding and resources for the people of the Virgin Islands; as well as establishing and strengthening relations with over 30 local non-profit organizations.

“It was wonderful to have such young and bright minds eager to be of service to our constituents and aid the U.S. Virgin Islands in any way they could.

“Recently graduated from Georgetown University, Grant Castle will pursue a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Chicago. Hannah Edwards, who recently graduated from George Washington University intends to extend her time on Capitol Hill and aspires to attend law school. Heidi Smalls will return to Choate Rosemary Hall, my high school Alma Mater. Her experience has deepened her interest in current affairs, American Government, and a future career in politics. Denver Williams will be continuing her studies at the University of Maryland, College Park.

“From the St. Thomas Office, Anapia Brunt and Dasmine Maynard will begin their sophomore year at University of Pennsylvania studying Political Science and International Relations and Affairs. Jacques Liegard, a rising senior, will continue his studies at Georgetown University (we hope to see my fellow Hoya in DC!). Serena Mohanani plans to complete her B.A. in Political Science and Communication Studies this year at Northeastern University. In the St. Croix office, Nia Canton resumes her undergraduate year at Georgia State University and Kyle Lewis will return to University of the Virgin Islands to continue his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our Summer 2022 interns for their hard work and wish them the best in all their endeavors. The entire staff enjoyed and learned from our Summer Intern Trivia on “Caribbean Regional Knowledge,” “Our Fragile Democracy,” “Impeachment,” and “The Legislative Process!”  We are so happy that they have become a part of our family and know each one of them has a bright future ahead.”

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