By Alens Plante
Every April, Saint Lucia celebrates Youth Month – a time to reflect on and honour the achievements of our young people. From academia to sports, science, and technology, young Saint Lucians continue to make their mark. Rahym Augustin-Joseph and Amanie Mathurin in academics, Julien Alfred and Michael Joseph in sports, and Keeghan Patrick and Shergaun Roserie in science and technology are just a few shining examples of those continuing to blaze a trail.
Building on the legacy of others who came before them, today’s youth are carving new paths, especially in leadership. The intellectual and leadership prowess of Saint Lucian students knows no bounds, and their light shines brightly from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus. Four rising leaders now hold key positions: Alens Plante as vice president of the Guild of Students, Darrion Poyotte-Lionel as the recently elected Law Society president, Abby Daniel as Frank Worrell Hall chairperson, and Stephen Mitchel as Games Committee chairperson.
Leadership in law
The Cave Hill Faculty of Law has long been shaped by Saint Lucian leaders, with both current and former deans hailing from the island. Now, Darrion Poyotte-Lionel joins this legacy as the Law Society president, elected decisively by his peers. A driven 29-year-old second-year law student, Darrion is no stranger to leadership, currently serving as vice president of the Law Society and Guild Law representative. Passionate about international law, investment law, fintech and financial regulation, he combines academic rigour with a hands-on approach to legal challenges. In his new role, he aims to foster collaboration, advocacy and professional growth within the legal student community.
A home away from home
For decades, Sir Frank Worrell Hall has been a second home to many Saint Lucians. The last Saint Lucian Hall chair was Rahym Augustin-Joseph, alongside Rhyana Dupigny, who also shares Dominican heritage. Now, 22-year-old Abby Daniel steps into this role with a vision to reignite hall pride. A second-year international tourism management student, Abby’s passion for service began at Saint Joseph’s Convent and flourished as Interact Club president at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. At Cave Hill, she quickly connected with the diverse community in Frank Worrell Hall, later serving as Culinary Arts chairperson before her landslide 105-vote victory for Hall chairperson. Her mission? To transform the hall into a welcoming, supportive space for students beginning their university journey.
Championing sports and community
Sports are woven into the fabric of Saint Lucian identity, and Stephen Mitchel embodies this spirit. A second-year computer science student and graduate of St Mary’s College and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Mitchel serves as LUSAC health and fitness officer, Frank Worrell Hall Sports and Games chairperson, and a member of the UWI cricket team. His love for sports and desire to organise events drove him to leadership, following in the footsteps of former Saint Lucian GCCs like climate change activist Genesis Alfred, sports fanatic Simeon Gerson and volleyball superstar Dania Hamilton.
A bright future ahead
The achievements of these young leaders at Cave Hill reflect the resilience, talent and vision of Saint Lucian youth. Whether in academia, governance, community service, or sport, they raise the Saint Lucian flag high, inspiring peers at home and across the region. As we celebrate Youth Month, let us not only applaud their accomplishments but also continue to support, invest in, and believe in the potential of our youth. Indeed, the light from the Hill burns bright – a beacon of promise for a future led by passionate, capable and visionary young leaders.
Alens Plante is a 20-year-old Saint Lucian student at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, who has spent much of his life in student advocacy and activism.
