The 2025 Hurricane Season begins on June 1, and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) native Teri Helenese is engaging the next generation in partnership with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) and the Virgin Islands American Red Cross through the 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Essay Competition.

This meaningful writing initiative encourages students from the USVI to sharpen their minds and demonstrate thought leadership during the summer break, while supporting our community—especially senior citizens—with fresh ideas and perspectives on readiness, resilience, and preparedness.

Who Can Submit an Essay?

Elementary, Junior High, High School, and University of the Virgin Islands students are invited to submit a 500-word (or less) essay answering one of the ten questions listed below. Please be sure to include the name of your school for verification purposes.

  1. Youth Leadership: In what ways can young people like you lead the way in promoting hurricane preparedness in your school or neighborhood? Share examples of how you’ve inspired others or plan to raise awareness among your peers.
  2. Protecting the Vulnerable: How can you and your peers support senior citizens and others who may need extra help during a hurricane? Suggest practical ways young people can contribute to protecting vulnerable members of the community.
  3. Pets are Important Too: To many, our domestic pets (cats and dogs) are treated as part of the family, but after the 2017 Hurricanes of Irma and Maria, many were abandoned or became “rescue pets” and flown off-island. What actions can we take before a storm to keep our pets safe?
  4. Managing Stress: Hurricanes are stressful for all concerned. What do you think are some things that can be done to manage stress for youth during a hurricane?
  5. Accessible Evacuation: What steps must a person with a mobility disability take to secure government para transport to a hurricane shelter, and what documents are needed for a service animal to enter the shelter?
  6. Helping Hands: Have you helped anyone increase their hurricane preparedness? How?
  7. Family Preparedness: How is your family preparing for the 2025 hurricane season, and what new items have you added to your preparedness kit this year? Explain why these additions matter and what further steps you’re taking to ensure your family’s safety.
  8. Personal Safety: What actions will you take to protect yourself during the 2025 hurricane season? Describe how you interpret hurricane forecasts and alerts, and explain how you prepare before, during, and after a storm.
  9. Local Risk Awareness: What types of water and wind hazards are common in the area where you live? Describe your neighborhood’s geography and discuss what you are doing to help your family and community stay safe from these risks.
  10. Forecast Literacy: Why is it important to understand hurricane forecasts, and what tips would you give to help others better interpret them? Identify and detail a trusted source for alerts and explain why relying on accurate information is critical during hurricane season.

What Do the Winners Receive?

Each winner will receive a hurricane preparedness kit and a monetary prize based on their school level:

  • University Student: $1,000
  • High School Student: $1,000
  • Junior High Student: $500
  • Elementary Student: $200

Submission Instructions & Deadline

  • Choose one of the ten provided essay questions.
  • Write your essay in Microsoft Word, and save it as a PDF.
  • Include a title and word count (must be 500 words or fewer).
  • Essays must be USVI-specific and written by the student submitting.
  • Submit your essay via https://bit.ly/hurricaneessay by July 15, 2025.

Who Selects the Winners?

A Selection Panel of five judges—each an expert in hurricane preparedness—will review submissions and choose four winners based on creativity, relevance, and clarity.

Winner Announcement & Celebration

Winners will be announced on August 1, 2025, on TeriHelenese.com and Teri Helenese’s Facebook page. They will be celebrated at a Back-to-School Barbecue in St. Thomas and St. Croix in late August 2025.