15 Years of Nationhood – A Tribute to the Youth Who Shaped Our Journey
PHILIPSBURG:--- This year marks 15 years since St. Maarten became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a milestone that continues to resonate as both a triumph of vision and a testament to the collective effort of a determined people.
As we celebrate this historic anniversary, we pause to recognize the Constitutional Youth Club (CYC) and the Constitutional Culture Club (CCC), two pioneering youth movements that helped shape the national consciousness during the crucial years leading up to 10-10-10.
We owe immense gratitude to their visionary leader, Ms. Dorothy Lake, and to the dedicated mentors who stood beside her: Ms. Irene Hodge, Ms. Sharon Freiburg, Ms. Judy Fitzpatrick, Ms. Angelique Brill, Mr. Rolando Tobias, Catherine Connor and so many more! Their belief in empowering youth through civic education created a generation that not only witnessed history but helped make it.
The Birth of a Movement: Youth in the Heart of Constitutional Change
Between 2007 and 2010, St. Maarten stood on the threshold of transformation. The path to autonomy demanded not only political negotiation but also public understanding and youth participation.
Recognizing this, Dorothy Lake, then a senior civil servant with a passion for civic education, spearheaded the creation of the Constitutional Youth Club (CYC) and later the Constitutional Culture Club (CCC) under the Department of Constitutional Affairs.
Her vision was simple yet profound:
“A nation cannot be built without the understanding and participation of its youth.”
Through school-based programs, debates, and interactive panel discussions, CYC and CCC turned classrooms and community halls into spaces of nation-building. They tackled complex questions of identity, governance, and autonomy, translating the legal language of constitutional change into the lived experiences of the people.
A Generation That Answered the Call
Among the first to take up this challenge were young people like Alissa Rios and Paul Lourens, who worked hand in hand with Ms. Lake to organize youth workshops, debates, and public outreach initiatives. Their work helped demystify constitutional restructuring for their peers, fostering understanding of concepts like autonomy, responsibility, and citizenship.
Many of those youth have since become leaders in their own right, professionals, public servants, and changemakers who continue to carry the torch of nation-building.
From Youth Leaders to Nation Builders
Over the past fifteen years, nearly every member of the CYC and CCC has gone on to make meaningful contributions within their communities, both at home and abroad. Former members can now be found in nearly every sector of society, serving as educators, civil servants, chefs, entrepreneurs, political leaders, artists, and innovators. Together, they represent a generation of young St. Maarteners who transformed civic education into civic action.
To name just a few examples of this lasting legacy:
- Alissa Rios, founding member of CYC and CCC, returned in 2012 after completing her Master’s in Public Administration in the Netherlands, and quickly became a trusted advisor to several Ministers. Today she works passionately as an advisor to Member of Parliament Omar Ottley, shaping legislation and continuously championing effective, people-centered governance.
- Nerissa Cornelia, former President of CCC, is now a respected lawyer at SXM Notary Richards, continuing her dedication to integrity, community service, and the principles of fairness that guided her from her teenage years.
- Patrice Gumbs, once an active debater and member of CYC, now serves as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI). His journey from youth leader to civil servant to Minister reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and responsible leadership.
- Keshia Richards, LLM, who also was a member of the CCC, went on to become one of the 3 Civil Law Notaries on St. Maarten, embodying integrity and professionalism in one of the nation’s most trusted legal roles.
These are but a few examples of the many youths who turned civic learning into lifelong leadership; a legacy that continues to shape St. Maarten today.
The Legacy of Ms. Dorothy Lake
No tribute to CYC and CCC would be complete without honoring the indomitable Ms. Dorothy Lake, the architect of youth civic engagement during the constitutional transition. With wisdom, grace, and an unwavering belief in young people, Ms. Lake instilled in her students a deep understanding that nation-building begins with knowledge, dialogue, and accountability.
Her mentorship produced not just informed youth, but future leaders, many of whom now serve in key positions across government, law, medicine, and education.
Even in retirement, Ms. Lake remains a guiding light, her legacy woven into the civic fabric of modern St. Maarten. Her example continues to inspire those who believe in service above self and in the transformative power of education
