Art has been an important form of expression for Randah Walsh, who is an eighth-grade student at the St. Thomas/St. John Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) School on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands (VI). Randah entered her artistic pieces in the first annual Black History Month cultural event which was sponsored by the Joseph Action Committee. Her poem and a painting of her local “VI hero”, Queen Mary, were awarded first place.
Artists have acknowledged that their religious beliefs, spiritual connections, and relationships play a vital role in their creative process. Similarly, Randah, who attends the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church, has been inspired by her cousin, Elijah Bertrand. Her mother, Georgina Walsh, indicated that she saw evidence of this artistic gift as Randah grew. She encouraged her to enter the competition – to do her best and not to settle for mediocrity.
Randah was also affirmed by young, aspiring artists and she shared, “I was really motivated, especially because of young people coming up to me and saying, ‘I paint as well. My parents don’t know, and my pastor doesn’t know.’ ”
The Seventh-day Adventist School has provided a nurturing environment for Randah’s talents.
The Principal of the St. Thomas/ St. John SDA School, Ms. Hodge, expressed congratulations, “Talents are truly priceless gifts from God. We are really proud of her and her accomplishments.”
Ms. Karis George, one of Randah’s teachers, described her as an involved student who is always willing to try. Ms. George said, “I am not surprised since she is one who has shown that she puts in the effort, and she got the results.”
The Education Department of the North Caribbean Conference and the St. Thomas/St. John Seventh-day Adventist School commend Randah Charles for her success and pray that God would bless her pursuits, as she uses her gifts and talents to glorify God and improve her community.