Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – The Sint Maarten Library continues its Passing on Our Legacy Black History Month 2026 observance with a featured interview highlighting distinguished educator and civic leader Oldine Veronica Bryson-Pantophlet.
Bryson-Pantophlet is in conversation with Caribbean media entrepreneur Alston Lourens, exploring her personal journey, decades of service in education, and reflections on influential figures from the African Diaspora and Sint Maarten.
Born on April 30, 1947, in San Nicolas, Aruba, Bryson-Pantophlet was educated at Marijke School (later Prinses Christina School) and Abraham de Veer School before pursuing teacher training in the Netherlands at the J.D. de Visser Smits Teacher Education Institute. She began her teaching career at De Windvang Elementary School in Uithoorn, later lived in New York City, and in 1979 settled in Sint Maarten, where she taught at John Larmonie School (later Prins Willem Alexander School).
At Milton Peters College, she served as a teacher and Director of MAVO for 16 years. She later became Director of Public Schools, contributing significantly to national education development and policy. Her civic engagement includes service with the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, Philipsburg Jubilee Library, SAFE HAVEN, and the Social Economic Council.
In 2007, Bryson-Pantophlet was appointed a Member of the Order of Oranje-Nassau in recognition of her longstanding contributions to education and community development. Alston Lourens is a Caribbean media entrepreneur, radio personality, television anchor, and producer from Sint Maarten. He is co-founder of Great Bay Media Studio, a multi-platform production house delivering island-centered storytelling across television, radio, digital, and live event formats. Through productions such as News Desk and Sunshine Report, Lourens has contributed to strengthening independent media and civic dialogue in the region.
This interview forms part of the Library’s daily Black History Month series, which honors outstanding contributors from the African Diaspora and Sint Maarten, providing audiences with insight into leadership, legacy, and community impact. The series continues with an upcoming feature on educator Edna Rijkaard, interviewed by media entrepreneur Sjorensly Valies.
