The crowd stood and applauded an icon.
Some were overwhelmed by emotions. Others, all but jumped for joy. But those who saw the bigger picture understood that a piece of BVI history was being made.
But the honoree remained seated as phones were pointed in his direction with the camera app activated.
There were flashes of light. His image was frozen in time; Captured for posterity. Feelings of euphoria invaded the psyche of family, close friends and well-wishers.
And we recalled that 1971 hit, ‘If,’ by David Gates accompanied by his band Bread, when we saw on social media and noted that the picture; Charles H. Wheatley’s picture; Indeed, painted a thousand words. Perhaps more.
For the look of pride and satisfaction sculpted on his face, was priceless. He was intensely moved by the recognition.
But deep in his eyes there was also a naked display of profound sadness that bordered on grief.
Sadness that the second honoree, the other half of his dynamic duo, would have to take her accolade, posthumously.
And then, we imagined that David Gates’ song took on its true meaning…
…For him.
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At the HLSCC graduation exercises on Thursday 11 June 2026, the Premier announced that the first building at the HLSCC Campus would be named in honour of Dr Charles H Wheatley OBE.
That act would immortalize him in the history of the educational development of the BVI.
But the accolade was not for Dr Wheatley alone. It included his wife Jennie N Smith-Wheatley MBE whom he, unfortunately, laid to rest a few years ago.
Jennie exercised her own power and reflected his and that made her a force to be reckoned with. Fortunately, they were focused on the development of children, youth and BVIs cultural heritage.
Charles Wheatley’s trek to the Premier’s announcement was long. Let us review parts of that journey.
It is hard to imagine that, at any time in the BVI educational experience, seventh standard was a glass ceiling. It was. Charles hit that milestone in 1951 at the East End Methodist Elementary School.
By 1955, he was launching his teaching career when the first Virgin Islands Education Act was passed into law.
Formal training took him to the Leeward Islands Teachers Training College in Antigua. He graduated top of his class.
In BVI, he continued studies with the College of Preceptors in the UK and earned the Associate (ACP) and Licentiate (LCP) certifications.
Then he had a defining moment in his life.
He prepared his class so well for their external examination that when they were examined by a visiting UWI examiner, he was floored.
He noted that Charles’ abilities were ripe for university and encouraged him to apply for a scholarship through his education department.
It was then discovered that multiple scholarships were offered to the people of the BVI by the Canadians, British and others, annually, and they sat on desks, unannounced, unclaimed; unused.
When Charles got over his fear of asking, which took months, he received two scholarships. One for himself and the other for his wife. And the BVI pendulum took a noticeable upward swing. The rest, as they say, is history.
He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in Canada. (The PhD would come later). And he also, for short courses, darkened the hallways at places like Harvard, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Oklahoma.
And BVI rewarded him at different points on the journey.
He was appointed Headteacher for:
-The North Sound Methodist School (1958-1961).
-West End Methodist School (1961-1963).
-Cane Garden Bay Methodist School (1963-1964).
-East End Methodist School (1964-1965).
-Road Town Elementary School (1965-1966).
In 1970, he was appointed Deputy Principal of the then BVI High School, and, subsequently, Principal (1972-1980).
Chief Education Officer followed and from 1987 - 1991, he was assigned to the Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare having been appointed a Permanent Secretary.
Another pivotal moment touched his professional life from 1991-2005. He became the second President of HLSCC. And those who were loose with language referred to him as ‘the shepherd of the newly conceived community college.’
At retirement, his service continued as Chairman of the College’s Board of Governors (2007-2019). Without dispute, his contributions to BVI Education were legion throughout his distinguished career.
A lot of what is taken for granted in education in the Territory has a name and surname attached.
Dr Charles H Wheatley OBE.
And he never hides to say that “We educate our masters and we have to help them to do their work.”
But Charles still does not stand still although he has witnessed over eighty-eight orbits of the earth around the sun.
He has published at least four books; Is a local preacher with the Methodist Family; Continues to plait straw for the making of various craft items and keeps pace with a host of family obligations and social responsibilities.
We are grateful that Dr Charles H Wheatley OBE is a Virgin Islander; A son of the soil. We thank him for his service and that of his wife and we wish him a long life in the company of those nearest and dearest to him.
Our stories must be told! Who will tell them?
They deserve a broader audience than we can provide. And in any case, we cannot tell them all on Fridays.
Happy Friday!