Departing Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Students Give Back

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — In keeping with its mission of serving animals and society, students of the seventh semester class of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) were pleased to donate school supplies to three local primary schools: William Connor Primary, Irish Town Primary, and Bronte Welsh Primary. Class volunteers, Elena Contreras, Christina Doll, and Autum Busarow presented $2,000 EC worth of supplies to each school principal.

The April 2012 seventh semester students (just more than 100 students) recently completed their last semester of studies in St. Kitts and have departed to complete their final year of veterinary clinical coursework at various veterinary schools throughout the United States. The students have been studying in St. Kitts for more than two years and have raised money for various class projects throughout this time. At the conclusion of the semester, the students chose for the remaining class funds to be given back to the community.

“We are pleased to present this gift to the schools on behalf of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s seventh semester class,” said Contreras who spoke on behalf of the class. “We are thankful for the experience and the opportunity to study in St. Kitts,” she stated proudly.

When asked why the class chose to give to the schools, Contreras replied “We felt that it was important to help the children of St. Kitts. They are this country’s future and we are this country’s guests. Margaret Mead once said that we should never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Contreras continued “If our donation makes only one student happy and enhances his educational experience, then he will see that there are folks out there who care, and then he will carry that forward to the next person, and the next person, and so on..”

Judith Smithen, RUSVM student service representative, assisted the effort by liaising with the schools, ascertaining which items were needed most and helping with the distribution process. The supplies included an assortment of paper, notebooks, pencils, pads, staplers, markers and other stationery items.

Anthony Wiltshire, principal of the Bronte Welsh Primary school expressed words of appreciation for the donation. “These are very tough times, with little to no funding for needed supplies like scissors or paper. We would like to thank the students of the seventh semester class for this kind gesture. These supplies will certainly be put to good use.” The other schools expressed similar sentiment.

“At RUSVM, we strive to enhance student skills to become successful veterinarians, but more importantly, to be civic-minded community members, which they have demonstrated here today,” said Sheridan Hendrickson, communications specialist, RUSVM Office of Communications and External Relations.

Ross University School of Veterinary has made various equipment and educational contributions in the Federation. The school offers citizens a free spay clinic for female dogs to help control the stray dog population on the island. In addition, the university has donated supplies and monetary funds to the Children’s Home, contributed critical care equipment to JNF General Hospital and created sea turtle awareness programs.