Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School recently introduced a novel initiative to alleviate student stress ahead of exams with its first-ever ‘Anything but a Bag Day.’ The event, organized by the Student Council and supported by school leadership, aimed to disrupt the monotony of traditional classroom activities and encourage creative self-expression. Principal Martina Belizaire revealed that the idea originated from students who sought a fun and relaxing activity before the intense exam period. The event followed a survey indicating a strong desire for engaging and participatory activities among the student body. Students showcased remarkable ingenuity by crafting unique handmade creations to carry their school supplies. Highlights included a functional ATM, a realistic microwave, a vanity set, and even a cereal box with a 3D design. Belizaire praised the students’ unmatched creativity, noting the event significantly boosted their morale. The school plans to continue fostering a positive atmosphere with upcoming activities like Fun Sports and a road race. This term also saw the success of Afro Day, part of Creole Week, which promoted cultural pride and self-expression through natural hair celebrations.
标签： Saint Lucia
圣卢西亚
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Foetus found in shallow grave in Balata
A shocking and unsettling discovery was made on November 13 in the Balata community of Babonneau, St. Lucia, where what appeared to be the remains of a foetus were unearthed from a shallow grave. The grim find quickly ignited widespread attention, with social media platforms becoming a hotbed for speculation and debate. A photograph, widely circulated and believed by many to depict the deceased infant, was later debunked by authorities as fraudulent. Law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, securing the area and launching a thorough investigation. Sources from St. Lucia Times have confirmed that the mother of the foetus has been summoned for questioning, with the case being classified as highly sensitive. The investigation is being spearheaded by the Vulnerable Persons Unit, a specialized division equipped to handle cases involving children and other vulnerable individuals.
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Bexon shooting claims life of mother of 2
A tragic incident unfolded in Bexon on the evening of November 12, resulting in the death of 35-year-old Finola McLauren. Emergency services were dispatched at around 8:17 p.m. following reports of a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, McLauren was discovered in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, showing no signs of life. Despite immediate life-saving efforts and transportation to a medical facility, she succumbed to her injuries. McLauren, a mother of two, leaves behind a heartbroken family, including her son and daughter. Her sisters, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed their profound grief and disbelief. One sister described McLauren as a vibrant and selfless individual, always ready to support her family and friends. The family is now calling for justice and an end to the violence that claimed her life. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with some comments suggesting political motives, which the family vehemently denies. The community is united in their demand for a thorough investigation and accountability.
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Govt considers more funding after 800 apply for Creative Economy Grant Fund
Saint Lucia’s newly established Creative Economy Grant Fund (CEGF) has garnered significant attention, with over 800 applications received, far surpassing the initial funding allocation of $350,000. Launched earlier this year by Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, the CEGF aims to support aspiring and established creatives across various disciplines, including dance, film, writing, and visual arts, with grants of up to $10,000. Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire revealed the overwhelming response during a pre-cabinet meeting, prompting discussions about securing additional financial resources to meet the demand. The application window closed at the end of October, and a dedicated committee is currently reviewing and categorizing the submissions. Hilaire emphasized the fund’s broad scope, which includes proposals for exhibitions, plays, book publications, and documentaries, reflecting the diverse creativity of Saint Lucia’s artistic community. The Ministry has notified all applicants via email and expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation, describing the response as a testament to the innovation within the nation’s creative sector. Officials have pledged to ensure transparency and fairness in the review process, aligning with the fund’s mission to foster excellence and sustainability in the creative industries. Successful applicants will be informed of the outcomes by December 2025.
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Phillips named ACC Offensive Player of the Year
North Carolina State University’s men’s soccer team celebrated a remarkable achievement on Wednesday as three of its players received prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors. Among them, Saint Lucian striker Donavan Gusto Phillip stood out, earning a spot on the All-Conference Team and being crowned Offensive Player of the Year. The junior forward, hailing from Marchand, is poised to transition to professional football in 2026, having secured a contract with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids. Additionally, Phillip aspires to represent the Saint Lucia national team, aiming to make his senior international debut. In his final collegiate season with the Wolfpack, Phillip dominated the conference with impressive statistics, leading in shots (62), shots per game (3.65), points (31), points per game (1.82), goals (15), and goals per game (0.88). His stellar performance cemented his claim to the Offensive Player award. NC State’s success extended beyond Phillip, with sophomore centre-back Nikola Markovic being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and senior goalkeeper Logan Erb earning ACC Goalkeeper of the Year. Erb led the conference in shutouts and shutouts per game, showcasing the team’s defensive prowess. Senior midfielder Taig Healy, who leads the ACC in assists, also secured a place on the All-ACC First Team. This collective achievement marks the first time since 1984 that NC State has placed four players on the All-ACC First Team, a historic milestone in the program’s history.
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‘He is a leader who divides’: Estephane lambastes Chastanet
In a dramatic political shift, former United Workers Party (UWP) MP Edmund Estephane publicly declared his support for the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) during a rally in La Caye, Dennery on November 12. Estephane, who previously represented Dennery South from 2006 to 2021, delivered a blistering critique of the UWP’s leadership, particularly targeting party leader Allen Chastanet and deputy leader Guy Joseph. He accused them of squandering their opportunity to govern and vowed they would never lead the country again. Estephane’s decision to switch allegiance follows a period of intense backlash, including death threats, after he appeared at an SLP event earlier in the campaign season. At the rally, he urged constituents to re-elect incumbent Alfred Prospere and endorsed his brother, John Paul Estephane, for the Babonneau seat. In a symbolic gesture, Estephane removed his white shirt to reveal a red one, signaling his new political alignment with the SLP. “The mood is red,” he concluded, marking a definitive break from his former party.
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Melius recalled to Windwards for Regional Super50 cricket
Kimani Melius, the former West Indies Under-19 captain, has made a notable return to the regional cricket scene, securing a spot in the Windward Islands squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament. This marks his first appearance in List A cricket after a two-year hiatus. The 24-year-old top-order batter from Boguis, Saint Lucia, is one of four Saint Lucians selected for the five-match series, which kicks off on November 19 in Trinidad & Tobago. The Windward Islands Cricket Board has announced a 14-member squad for the tournament, aiming to add to their four previous 50-over titles since the competition’s inception in 1972. Melius joins allrounder Shadrack Descarte and young fast bowlers Keon Gaston and McKenny Clarke in the squad, alongside wicketkeeper Noelle Leo and fast bowler Dillan John, who have been training with the team since early October. Melius, who debuted for West Indies B in 2018, has played 23 List A matches, accumulating 397 runs with a high score of 46. His best performance came in his debut year, averaging 21.60 in five fixtures. Descarte, known for his T20 skills, brings experience from the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory with Saint Lucia Kings. Gaston and Clarke, both promising talents, have shown their potential in regional and CPL matches. The Windward Islands will begin their campaign against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes on November 19 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
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Saint Lucia win ECVA volleyball opener
Saint Lucia kicked off their campaign in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-23 Men’s Championship with a commanding 3-0 victory over defending champions St Vincent & the Grenadines on Wednesday, November 12, at the YMCA in St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda. The 2021 champions secured their win with set scores of 25-17, 26-24, and 25-12, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the championship trophy and a spot in the NORCECA 2026 Pan American Cup.
Head coach Levi Leonce expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, ‘The game was very informative; it was a good start. We still have some areas to improve, particularly our blocking, but we were strong behind the service line. I expect the team to be more technically sound and convincing in the upcoming matches.’
Saint Lucia set the tone early in the first set, racing to a 7-1 lead and forcing St Vincent & the Grenadines to call a timeout at 12-6. Despite a late push from their opponents, Saint Lucia closed out the set 25-17. The second set saw a resilient effort from the defending champions, who led for most of the set. However, Saint Lucia fought back, tying the game multiple times before clinching the set 26-24. The final set was a dominant display from Saint Lucia, who extended a narrow lead to a decisive 25-12 victory.
In other matches on Wednesday, Antigua & Barbuda defeated Anguilla 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-17), while Dominica overcame Grenada 3-1 (28-26, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18). Saint Lucia is set to face Anguilla and hosts Antigua & Barbuda on Thursday, aiming to continue their winning streak.
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U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent
The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament witnessed a thrilling weekend of cricket, with Kaiden Charlery emerging as the standout performer. His impressive half-century propelled Sulphur City into the semifinals after a dominant 37-run victory over South Castries in the quarterfinals held on November 9 at Desruisseaux. Batting first, Sulphur City posted a total of 119 runs, with Charlery contributing a commanding 62. South Castries struggled in response, managing only 82 runs, despite efforts from Kaylan St Juste and Alaska James, who claimed three wickets. Meanwhile, Desruisseaux secured their semifinal spot by defeating Mon Repos, chasing down a target of 124 with five wickets to spare. Dennery also advanced, crushing Micoud by 78 runs, thanks to captain Kaiden Emile’s stellar bowling performance of 5-8. In another match, Babonneau triumphed over South Castries by four wickets, with Vincy Cadasse leading the charge. Despite their elimination, South Castries’ Ariana Dujon praised her team’s spirit, emphasizing the joy of the game. The tournament continues on November 15, with Babonneau facing Choiseul and Laborie taking on Dennery in the next round of quarterfinals.
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Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser
The Saint Lucia national men’s football team faced a challenging start to the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday, November 12, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Cuba. The match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marked a tough beginning for the Caribbean squad in Group A. Despite missing key players, head coach Stern John entrusted Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva with the captain’s armband. The team’s lineup included Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander, and Ridel Stanislas in attack, with Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery controlling the midfield. The defense was anchored by Kurt Frederick, Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Sololon-Davies, and Ajani Louis, while Vino Barclett guarded the goal. The game remained balanced in the early stages, but Cuba’s Romario Torres broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring his first goal for the senior national team. Yasnier Matos extended the lead just before halftime, and Dairon Reyes sealed the victory in the 53rd minute. This match also marked the debut of Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. Cuba, historically the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1938, narrowly missed advancing to the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia, ranked 164th in the FIFA World Rankings, finished third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. The team will next face St Vincent & the Grenadines on November 15. The Concacaf Friendly Series, featuring 16 nations, commenced during the November FIFA international match window, with games hosted across the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.