Kylla Herbert, coordinator of the Camden, NJ-based St. Kitts and Nevis Penn Relays Committee, says the Charles E. Mills Secondary School (CEMSS) in St. Kitts and Nevis performed better in its second successive appearance at the Penn Relays Carnival at the Franklin Field Stadium, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Herbert, who is also chairperson of the Camden-based South Jersey Caribbean Cultural and Development Organization (SJCCDO), told Caribbean Life on Friday, May 2, that CEMSS competed in six events, placing in the top three in three of them during the 129th running of the Penn Relays from Thursday, April 24, to Saturday, April 26.
She said CEMSS boys and girls competed in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays, the boys competed in the Javelin throw, and the girls vied for a spot in the International Schools’ 4x100m championships.
Herbert said the CEMSS boys’ 4x400m relay team members — Naseem Gerald, Vancelle Douglas, Jaheem Clarke, and Tejuan Webbe—placed first in their heats, clocking 3:27.
She also said the CEMSS boys’ 4x100m relay team members — Haseem Gerald, Vancelle Douglas, Q’Son Bennett, and Tejuan Webbe—placed third in their heats in 45.19.
Herbert said the CEMSS girls’ 4x100m relay team — Shyan Richards, Dejhanee Moses, Uzariel Hodge, and Chadelcia Dasent—placed second in their heats, with a time of 50.88.
The CEMSS girls’ 4x100m relay team placed 8th in the Girls International Championships, clocking 51:03.
Herbert said they competed against the top nine international high schools, including Jamaica and other schools worldwide.
Additionally, she said the CEMSS girls’ 4x400m relay team – Uzariel Hodge, Anaya Rouse, Alleeanna James, and Arianna Francis – placed 10th in their heats, with a time of 4:25.
Herbert said CEMSS’s Jaheem Clarke competed in the Javelin throw championships, placing 9th and throwing a personal best distance of 55.56.
“The Charles E. Mills Secondary School exceeded my expectations with their performance at the Penn Relays,” she said. “Each athlete’s dedication to training showed on the track.
“It was the first time at the Penn Relays for some of the student athletes, and they did a great job adjusting to the dynamics of how the Penn Relays are conducted,” Herbert added. “It was a great pleasure to host the Charles E. Mills Secondary School in Philadelphia for the second year.”
She said the St. Kitts and Nevis Penn Relays Committee has successfully financed the budget for CEMSS while in Philadelphia through “generous donations from various organizations and individuals.”
Herbert said this collaborative effort included financial donations and in-kind support from SJCCDO, Stewart Williams and members of the Sandy Point Benevolent Society (SPBS), the Nevisian Association of South Florida, Bernardo Phipps, One Caribbean, the Morgan family, Jacinth Henry-Martin, ambassador to the US and OAS, Worrell Nero, the Honorary Consul General of St. Kitts and Nevis in Philadelphia, and many individual donors.
“I would like to thank each organization and individual that contributed to the St. Kitts and Nevis Penn Relays initiative,” she said. “I would also like to thank Team Jamaica Bickle, the organization that feeds Caribbean athletes at Franklin Field.”
Herbert said the St. Kitts and Nevis Penn Relays Committee is “committed to assisting” any high school from St. Kitts and Nevis interested in participating in the Penn Relays.
“But we can only help you if you follow our lead without deviation,” she stressed.
Kressell Daniel, the deputy consul general of St. Kitts and Nevis in New York, applauded the team’s efforts.
“Charles E. Mills Secondary School has once again demonstrated its incredible athletic ability, making a remarkable impact at the 2025 Penn Relays,” he told Caribbean Life. “Our athletes showcased outstanding performances, proudly representing St. Kitts and Nevis on the international stage.
“This year, CEMSS achieved new milestones with top finishes in various events, including the boys’ and girls’ 4x100m and 4x400m relays, as well as Jaheem Clarke’s impressive 9th place in the boys’ javelin throw,” he added. Their dedication, coordination, and tenacity were evident, reinforcing the school’s growing legacy in international athletics.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the athletes, coaches, and the unwavering support from our national leadership and global Diaspora,” Daniel continued.
Bernardo Phipps, from Cayon, St. Kitts, said CEMSS “proudly stood tall for St. Kitts and Nevis.
“They showed the world that the spirit of a small island can shake the largest stages,” he said. “Their resilience, discipline, and drive were not just performances on the track but bold statements of purpose, pride, and possibility.
“Watching them, I am reminded of my journey as a Division I scholar student-athlete chasing dreams on the track, building a career in investment banking, finance, and accounting, and eventually serving in Compliance Law and Regulations for the United States Government,” Phipps added. “Athletics laid the foundation: the grit, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence that shaped every step of my path. I see those same seeds powerfully planted in each of these young athletes.”
Coach Roatter Johnson said, “We are very grateful that our athletes were given the opportunity to display their talents.
“I am very happy with their performances. However, there is a lot of room for improvement,” he said. “Being able to stand off and watch the performances showed me what we would have to work on to improve and be even more competitive next year.
“For some of our athletes, it was their first time competing on the international stage, and, as such, they were a bit intimidated and overwhelmed, even though they were still able to perform well,” Johnson added. “This also made me even more determined to get them to compete even more at international school-aged meets.”
Manager Niketa Isles said she was “extremely proud of our athletes. We challenged them to do better than last year.
“We challenged them to place in the top two of their categories to make it into the finals and to better their personal best not just on the track but also in the field, as we had one athlete in the Javelin, and they did just that,” she added. “We have some extremely talented athletes, and for them to be able to perform so well at the Penn Relays filled my heart with joy.”
Athlete Jaheem Clarke said he was “very grateful for this opportunity to compete at the Penn Relays, not just in the 4x400m, in which my team placed 1st in our category, but also to compete in the Javelin.
“While I was able to personal best with a mark of 55.56m, I still have much more work to do so that I can throw in the high 60s,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of CEMSS, athlete Vancelle Douglas told a reception for Vincentian, Kittitian, and Belizean athletes at the Calabash Restaurant and Lounge in Philadelphia that the school was “sincerely grateful “for hosting us at the banquet.
“We would also like to thank Ms. Kylla Herbert and the entire body of the South Jersey Cultural Development Organization, as well as Mr. Steward Joseph and the rest of SBPS, as well as Mr. Cordice,” he said. “We, the athletes, are extremely grateful for the experience and the memories we created.
“Without your assistance and guidance, we would not be here today,” Douglas said. “This opportunity means great to us, and we truly appreciate it.
“Of course, I cannot leave without saying thank you to our coaches and management who have worked tirelessly to get us here,” he added. “Seeing the impressive performances has motivated me to train harder and push myself to improve so that I can become even faster than I am today.”
