The future of agriculture depends not only on innovation, but also on our ability to preserve the traditions, knowledge, and communities that have sustained us for generations. Ariana Mayapin, Alyna Richards, and Kadence Milligan from the St. Croix Educational Complex High School, US Virgin Islands, share their unique perspectives on how innovation and tradition can work hand in hand to strengthen the islands’ agricultural future. Through poetry and prose, these NEHS members demonstrate that preserving cultural heritage and embracing innovative technologies are not competing goals but complementary paths toward a more resilient and sustainable Virgin Islands.
Moving Forward, Preserving the Past
by Ariana Mayapin
St. Croix, an island built from agriculture,
Holds history that goes beyond her beautiful blue waters.
She was shaped by cane fields and calloused hands,
Hands that blistered and bled to make this beautiful land.
The elders share their stories, hoping they would last forever,
To be passed down from generation to generation, praying their knowledge fades never.
Their children listen, most times with headphones on and iPad in hand,
Merging tales of the past with the only future they understand.
It is clear that the world is moving forward with technology leading the way.
Our only option is to march along with it, to integrate our culture with the future we display.
Our rich history must not dwindle or slip away,
We must unite soil and science, so that both can stay.
Some see this change as something to be scared of,
Something unsure, something they cannot yet rise above,
But the expansion of technology brings great opportunity,
Chances to mix planting with high-tech tools, sparking creativity.
With apps that track the weather, warning of hurricanes and heavy rain,
We continue old traditions by using new inventions to ease the strain.
By blending farming with progress, our island will thrive,
Where agriculture and technology work together to keep our island alive.
This entry won 2nd Place in the 54th Annual Agriculture & Food Fair of the US Virgin Islands, “Agriculture & Technology—An Ideal Mix in 2026!” Poetry Contest—High School Division
Although quiet and reserved to others, Ariana Mayapin is a driven and compassionate young woman with a strong commitment to excellence in both academics and personal growth. Ariana is an active member of multiple organizations, including the English, Math, and Science honor societies, as well as Ladies of Distinction. She plans to pursue architecture after high school and enjoys expressing her creativity through drawing and painting. Outside of school, her faith remains an important part of her life. Ariana is known for being respectful to others and helping whenever needed. She credits her mother, grandparents, and especially her sister, one of her biggest role models, for helping shape the person she is today. With her faith, creativity, and determination, Ariana hopes to continue making her family proud while building a successful future for herself.
When the Earth Learns to Evolve
by Alyna Richards
Every step you take causes the ground to gently breathe,
Intelligent gadgets alert you when plants need care.
Roots stretch and spread beneath the dirt,
The air is guided by luminous systems.
Grain fields are tracked by eyes in the sky,
Screens continue to glow long after dusk.
Past knowledge blends with data’s gain,
Integrating technology and trust into a single activity.
Once a seed is sown, the land remembers it,
Every minute alteration is captured by machines.
Together they feed the world we own,
Through thoughtfully placed balance.
No harvest is uncertain, no field is hidden,
Instinct and logic move as one.
By 2026, we will know for sure that progress and the earth belong together.
Alyna Richards is a freshly graduated student who achieved enormous success throughout her high school years. She was recognized for her hard work and dedication to academics. Alyna was also a proud member of various honor societies, showing her commitment to leadership and excellence in school activities. Among all her subjects, English was her favorite because she enjoyed reading, writing, and expressing her ideas creatively. Outside of academics, Alyna’s favorite hobby is braiding hair, a skill she enjoys practicing in her free time. Her determination, creativity, and positive attitude have helped her stand out as a motivated and talented young graduate ready for future opportunities.
Agriculture & Technology: An Ideal Mix in 2026
by Kadence Milligan
Growing up in the US Virgin Islands, my way of life has always revolved around agriculture. Whether it was a quick trip to the fairgrounds on an early Saturday morning or a school field trip spent picking ripe mangos straight from the source while admiring the smelly animals, I learned to value this crucial part of USVI culture with reverence.
Now that I am in high school, I look at agriculture differently. Instead of viewing it only as a traditional practice, I see it as something we as a community can accomplish with the guidance of technology to help push us into a state of abundance and efficiency. In the US Virgin Islands, technology in agriculture has the power to support our local food production by creating a more modern approach for farmers to integrate into the advancement of a more sustainable future.
For years, our local farmers have faced challenges ranging from the islands’ unique environmental discrepancies to our heavy dependency on food imported from the mainland. As a result, agriculture has taken a major hit that can only be solved with the inclusion of modern technology to help support and advance traditional practices. For instance, precision irrigation systems aid in saving water by accurately transporting water and nutritious minerals straight to a plant’s roots. By doing this, our island’s freshwater resources are conserved and used in the best way. Similarly, the inclusion of more solar panel powered irrigation pumps and weeders can keep farms in operation despite destructive storms while contributing toward a decline in cost and the use of fossil fuels.
With the help of modern technology, it is evident that agriculture can be transformed into an innovative and exciting career for the young: they can see the benefits of their STEM studies firsthand. Without forgetting the traditional processes passed down from our ancestors, young, aspiring farmers can forge a new path of discovery with the combination of bestowed knowledge and modern technology which will build a more sufficient food system for the US Virgin Islands.
Kadence Milligan is a high school graduate with a strong record of academic achievement, leadership, and involvement. As a member of multiple honor societies, she consistently demonstrated dedication, discipline, and a passion for learning. She is also an active tennis player who competes both within her school and independently, using the sport to strengthen her focus, resilience, and competitive drive. Kadence continues working toward new milestones. Known for her determination and goal-oriented mindset, she faces challenges with confidence and persistence. Her ability to balance academics, extracurricular activities, and personal growth reflects her strong work ethic and commitment to success. Kadence is excited to continue building on her accomplishments and pursuing opportunities that will allow her to grow even further at Georgia State University in the fall.
National English Honor Society
The National English Honor Society (NEHS), founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, is the only international organization exclusively for secondary students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Individual secondary schools are invited to petition for a local chapter, through which individuals may be inducted into Society membership. Immediate benefits of affiliation include academic recognition, scholarship and award eligibility, and opportunities for networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts.
America’s first honor society was founded in 1776, but high school students didn’t have access to such organizations for another 150 years. Since then, high school honor societies have been developed in leadership, drama, journalism, French, Spanish, mathematics, the sciences, and in various other fields, but not in English. In 2005, National English Honor Society launched and has been growing steadily since, becoming one of the largest academic societies for secondary schools.
As Joyce Carol Oates writes, “This is the time for which we have been waiting.” Or perhaps it was Shakespeare: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer . . .” we celebrate English studies through NEHS.
National English Honor Society accepts submissions to our blog, NEHS Museletter, from all membership categories (students, Advisors, and alumni). If you are interested in submitting a blog, please read the Suggested Guidelines on our website. Email any questions and all submissions to: submit@nehsmuseletter.us.
