Community, Pride, and Culture: Students Celebrate Caribbean Independence Days at Monroe

The Dining Lab on the New Rochelle campus came alive with radiant color, lively music, and heartfelt camaraderie on October 31, as students, faculty, and staff gathered to honor the independence days of Sint Maarten, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.

In a moment of deep pride for the University community, Monroe was honored to welcome distinguished guests representing several Caribbean nations. In attendance were Mr. Randy McIntosh, Consular General of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and his wife, Mrs. Seymone McIntosh; Ms. Sherll Mason and Mr. Atiba Williams, Diaspora Representatives for St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Mr. Kenyo Baly, Music Artist and Cultural Ambassador for St. Maarten; and Dr. Day, Diaspora Liaison for Antigua & Barbuda. Their presence added a meaningful layer of recognition and connection, underscoring the importance of celebrating the cultures and histories represented at Monroe.

The celebration -- part of Monroe’s International Initiative launched by President Marc Jerome in 2023 -- was made even more impactful thanks to the leadership of Joeane Laurent, Dean of the First-Year Experience (FYE) program in New Rochelle. Laurent’s steadfast commitment to the Initiative and her passion for ensuring that every student finds a second home at Monroe, especially those for whom home is hundreds and hundreds of miles away, continue to shape a campus culture rooted in warmth, belonging, and global understanding.

With more than 135 countries represented across Monroe’s 9,000+ students, the event offered a beautiful reminder of the University’s global identity and its unwavering dedication to community.

Throughout the evening, students and staff from each island took the stage with original performances of song, dance, and spoken word, filling the room with the warmth and rhythm of a true Caribbean fête. Traditional dishes added to the joy, giving attendees an authentic “taste of home” that stirred both nostalgia and pride.

“It was such a rewarding experience,” said Tara George of Monroe’s Student Services and Health & Wellness teams, who helped organize the event alongside students from Sint Maarten. “Working with the students and bringing a taste of our culture to Monroe University was truly exciting. Watching our ideas come to life was inspiring, but the highlight for me was the evening before the event — coming together with my fellow Sint Maarteners to set up our display table, an idea we had spent several weeks developing on paper. Seeing it all come together in person was an unforgettable moment. It brought another level of unity amongst ourselves as well as the other islands represented.”

George noted how important gatherings like this are for international students far from home.

“Something as simple as being able to have a conversation in your native tongue or accent over a shared meal that is familiar makes a world of difference for a student who is far from home,” she said.

The event’s emcee, Showanna Arthurs, a Criminal Justice major and Psychology minor from Sint Maarten, reflected on the joy of bringing the celebration to life.

“Overall, my experience was good working with the different countries to deliver such a beautiful presentation,” Arthurs said. “The Caribbean is a melting pot of many countries, and on my lovely island home of Sint Maarten, we have many nationalities. To be able to celebrate with the three other countries really hit close to home because we are very close in culture. The different speeches and performances made it really feel like a real Caribbean celebration — and let’s not forget about the food!”

Warm, vibrant, and filled with shared pride, the event served as a powerful reminder of the connections that flourish when cultures are celebrated, voices are uplifted, and community comes together as one.