PHILIPSBURG:---  After nearly a decade away from the island’s premier showcase of scientific talent, the St. Maarten Academy Vocational Business Campus made an inspiring return to the St. Maarten National Science Fair, earning Runner-Up in the Natural Science category (ages 15+) and honorable recognition for a second student project.
Students Ychnaydine Theus and Marie Dalisse proudly captured Runner-Up with their project, "The Impact of Music on Plant Growth." This experiment explored how different types of music—relaxing and local—might affect plant height and leaf production compared to a control group. Their research offered valuable insight into the relationship between environmental stimuli and plant development, merging natural science with innovative thinking.
Additionally, students Deejay Francis and Zorianna Clarke received an honorable mention in the Natural Science category (ages 12–14) for their creative project, "Glow-in-the-Dark Bacteria." They investigated the antibacterial properties of traditional Caribbean remedies such as aloe, garlic, lime, and vinegar. Using a homemade nutrient agar from tonic water that fluoresces under UV light, they observed the effects of these natural substances on bacterial growth over five days—presenting an accessible way to explore microbiology without costly lab equipment.
These achievements are a proud reflection of the school’s mission to empower students through hands-on learning, critical thinking, and real-world application. Guided by this year’s school-wide theme—“Dream Big, Start Small, Pay It Forward”—students are encouraged to explore their potential, take meaningful steps forward, and use their talents to impact their communities.
We would like to that the board, executive director, management, staff and students for their support.
Special thanks go to school coordinator Mrs. Marisha Olivacce-Carty and dedicated science educators Ms. Cherrylyn Cambridge and Ms. Nathalie Peterson, whose guidance played a vital role in the students’ success.
The St. Maarten Academy Vocational Business Campus also commends the St. Maarten National Science Fair Foundation for providing young people with the opportunity to explore and showcase their passion for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.

PHILIPSBURG – After nearly two years of delays, the Council of Ministers has approved the appointment of candidates for key management positions at NV GEBE. However, the process has been marked by setbacks, including the sudden passing of one candidate and subsequent public criticism over the lack of local representatives in the board appointments.

The company’s Supervisory Board of Directors, consisting of Denicio Boasman, Dennis Richardson, Emmanuel Brooks, and Charlesworth Sydney, submitted the names of three candidates selected for the long-vacant management roles over nine months ago. These names followed a meticulous selection process that included publicizing vacancies and installing a review committee to evaluate applicants.

Despite the lengthy deliberations, the Council of Ministers only recently finalized and approved the recommendations. However, the appointment process faced another challenge with the sudden passing of Troy Washington, the selected Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Washington, who served in a temporary managerial role at NV GEBE before he was nominated CEO, passed away suddenly en route to the Netherlands a week after agreeing to be appointed.

The approved candidates were as follows:

• Troy Washington, Chief Executive Officer (deceased).
• Wilco Sienen, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Sienen, a Dutch national, is employed at Gippsland Water in Australia. He has assumed a consultancy role at NV GEBE while awaiting his formal appointment.
• Devon Dembrook, Chief Operations Officer (COO). In February 2021, Dembrook acted as a temporary manager for NV GEBE but later declined the offer of a formal appointment as COO.

With Washington’s unexpected passing, Thomas Roggendorf has since been appointed Temporary Manager of the utility company. Additionally, NV GEBE now faces the task of identifying a new COO, as Devon Dembrook’s rejection leaves the position vacant again.

Community Disappointment Over Lack of Local Representation

The appointment of internationally based candidates such as Sienen and Roggendorf has sparked criticism from local residents. Many in the community have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a missed opportunity to empower qualified locals to lead NV GEBE. This sentiment stems from a broader concern over the limited inclusion of St. Maarten’s own talent in high-ranking roles within national institutions.

While the Supervisory Board has been commended for pressing forward to address the prolonged vacancies, NV GEBE’s management restructuring remains incomplete. The company must now restart the search for a COO who meets the position's demands, as stakeholders emphasize the importance of stability and strong leadership to guide the utility provider into the future.

Next Steps for NV GEBE

The road ahead for NV GEBE appears challenging. The Supervisory Board will need to reopen applications for the COO position and reassess its approach to leadership recruitment. Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers and the Supervisory Board face mounting pressure to ensure smoother and more transparent processes moving forward.

For now, NV GEBE’s future depends on its ability to make swift, strategic decisions to fill the gaps in its management team, while balancing community expectations and operational needs.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure wishes to inform the public that scheduled road repair work on Front Street will begin tomorrow evening, Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, to Friday, April 25th, 2025, requiring a daily road closure.
During this time, the entire section of Front Street will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic daily from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. to allow for safe and efficient repairs. This closure is necessary to improve the road surface and ensure long-term safety and durability for all users.
Please note the following important details:
• Pedestrian access along the sidewalk and Front Street will remain open throughout the works.
• Businesses and service providers operating on Front Street are kindly asked to plan their deliveries and services outside of the scheduled closure hours to avoid disruption.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to contact the department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 542-4292 ext 2387 for any questions and concerns.
The Department of Infrastructure thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding as we work to enhance the safety and quality of our road infrastructure.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean, District 7020, announced their winners, with much appreciation to our local young authors. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset received eleven stories, with three being submitted to the Rotary E-Club for consideration to be published in this year’s Butterfly Storybook. The club congratulated Emily Wathey-Juricka for emerging as the overall winner.

Emily Wathey-Juricka from The Sint Maarten Montessori School wrote a story titled “The Magic Sketchbook”; Genaai Brooks-Gibs from the Helmich Snijders Hillside Christian School wrote a story titled “Oh, How I Love My Belly!”; and Soham Asrani from the St. Dominic Primary School wrote a story titled “A Checkmate of Friendship”. These participants were selected as the three best stories from the eleven stories submitted to the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and sent to the Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean. 

This year, the participating schools and students included Anne Jasmijn de Vries and Philou Bons from the Sint Maarten Montessori School, Lyla Petit from the Caribbean International Academy, Valente Cathalina, Sebastian Lee, and Elianah Browne from the St. Dominic Primary School, and Arianna Gordon and Tara Jourdan from the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School.  

The Butterfly Story Book writing contest challenges creative young writers aged 7-11 to tell their stories. The students were asked to write a story reflecting acts of kindness, friendship, leadership, and/or respect. This could involve friends, family, and/or pets and specifically illustrate the Caribbean culture, consisting of 300-750 words. The contest was open to students residing in the Caribbean as an opportunity to become published young authors.

All participants were invited to the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset’s General Meeting for a time of celebration. All participating schools and students received certificates for their contributions. The winner, Emily Wathey-Juricka, received a cash prize of $100.00 from the Rotary E-Club of Caribbean and a $50.00 gift card from Amazon compliments of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset. The winner will also have her story published in the 2025 Butterfly Story Book alongside winners from other Caribbean countries. The general public is encouraged to purchase a book sold on Amazon by searching The Butterfly Storybook (2025): STORIES WRITTEN BY CHILDREN FOR CHILDREN: A project of The Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean 7020.

President Franklyn of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset thanked all participants for submitting exceptional stories and encouraged them to continue writing. He also thanked the principals, teachers, and parents for supporting this endeavor and encouraging their students' participation.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Colebay at 7:30 pm. The club can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the official Facebook page at facebook.com/rotarysxmsunset.