Vincy Penn Relays pioneer, coordinator James Cordice honored

As Vincentians in the Diaspora last month celebrated their 45^th anniversary of political independence from Great Britain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. and the New York-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate General to the United States bestowed special honors on James Cordice, the Vincentian-born pioneer and coordinator of Vincentian and Belizean high schools participating in the prestigious annual Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. honored Cordice on Oct. 19 during its Annual Independence Gala, at the Annunciation Hall in West Roxbury, MA, while the Consulate General did so on Oct. 25 during its annual Flag-Raising at the Bowling Green Charging Bull Triangle in lower Manhattan.

In conferring its Community Service Award on Cordice, Jenell James, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. said that the honor recognizes Cordice’s “outstanding contributions through the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Pennsylvania then and now (through) Team SVG International, which has brought student athletes from St. Vincent and Belize to compete in the prestigious Penn Relays for over a decade.

“Your dedication, passion and unwavering commitment to the development of young athletes have had a lasting impact on both our community and the students you have mentored,” she told Cordice, a Philadelphia resident. “By providing these athletes with the opportunity to compete on an international stage, you have not only showcased their talent but also instilled in them a sense of pride and ambition that will carry them far in life.

“Your work reflects the true essence of community service, and we are deeply grateful for the positive influence you continue to have,” James added. “The legacy you have built over the last 10 years is a source of immense pride for all of us, and we commend you for your vision, leadership and tireless efforts.”

In accepting the award, Cordice, who was also the keynote speaker at the event, dedicated the honor to his mother, Liliath Sheila Nanton-Cordice, who died in St. Vincent and the Grenadines a few weeks before at 98.

After pioneering “the journey to Penn” for the Thomas Saunders Secondary School and the Grammar School in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Stan Creek Ecumenical College in Belize, Cordice said several students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines have obtained scholarships and attained associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and even US residency.

He highlighted beneficiaries of the Penn Relays initiative, such as Olympian Brandon Valentine-Paris, a current track and field high school coach in North Carolina; and Olympian Handal Roban, who holds the Penn Relays high school boys 800m record in 2022 and is currently a third-year student at Penn State University.

But Cordice said that “it is the spirit of giving, giving being the chief component of receiving, that is the root cause of the many great gifts that was bestowed on St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the world,” like Vincentian Olympian Shafiqua Maloney, who, at 13, competed at the Penn Relays, through Cordice’s initiative, for the Thomas Saunders Secondary School.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy McIntosh said that the award to Cordice “recognizes the personal development, growth and exceptional contributions of Vincentians residing in the United States Diaspora.

“The Consulate salutes your significant and positive impact on the cultural, social and economic landscape and well-being of Vincentians both at home and abroad,” he told Cordice.

“The award is presented as an opportune time for, like the symbolic, ceremonial flag-raising, it serves as a testament to your unwavering commitment and generous support to your people and to your homeland,” McIntosh added.

During its Annual Independence Gala, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. and the City of Boston, MA also conferred “special recognition” on Vincentians Bevilton and Joanna A. Morris, Esq. for, among other things, supporting disaster relief for St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the years; Ian Glaude, a distinguished Vincentian music educator; Marcus James, a St. Lucian community worker;  Shirley Shillingford, president, 50+ Caribbean Carnival Committee of Boston; Lisa White, cultural  ambassador, who was honored by Dominica last year; Julia McIntosh, former vice president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts; and Jeanette Byron-Brewster and Cecelia Jeudy, Vincentian-born early childhood educators in Boston.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. said it was founded in January 1995 by “six visionary Vincentians”: Amelia Edwards, Alex Bobb, Marcus Slater, June Joseph, Yvonne John and Alpha Gould.

The association said it has been dedicated to promoting education, cultural awareness and community outreach.

With its mission, under the theme, “Together for a Common Purpose,” the group said it strives to, among other things: Foster cultural exchanges between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Massachusetts; support educational initiatives; provide humanitarian aid; strengthen ties with Caribbean organizations; establish scholarship programs for students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Massachusetts; and provide disaster relief, medical supplies, and support to various institutions and individuals.

“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2025, we aim to amplify our partnerships with organizations worldwide; expand our outreach to the global Diaspora of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and continue serving the community with dedication and passion,” the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Massachusetts, Inc. said.

“Let’s come together to mark this significant milestone and build a brighter tomorrow,” it added.