The Daily Herald -Jordan Anthony Hunt

Recap your story: I was born and raised on St. Maarten. After finishing high-school, I went to school for acting and film production at the New York Film Academy. After a year in New York, I came back to St. Maarten. I then got accepted into the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute. At the institute, I had the opportunity to work with some very experienced, very talented artists ranging from directors to actors who shaped and totally changed my perception of films and entertainment in general. Now I’m back on island for the summer, working together with some of my classmates and other local inspiring film makers, planning on revamping local TV and bringing different forms of entertainment to the island.

What St. Maarten district are you from? Simpson Bay

Where did you go to school on St. Maarten? Sister Regina/Learning Unlimited/Caribbean International Academy.

What is your favourite St. Maarten memory? There are so many great memories of spending time with large groups of friends, like when I first started going out to parties and that stuff. The best memory though would be riding ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) after a huge rainstorm in Guana Bay with my two closest friends. At one point we were being chased by this huge Rottweiler and we thought we were racing for our lives then when we stopped, it was the nicest dog. Great time!

What was your biggest surprise when you left the island? I was surprised how much I missed the small community feel and I was surprised that I loved how cold it was in the city.

What are your accomplishments? I feel there are a lot of things I want to accomplish and haven’t yet. I am very proud of being head boy of student government in my last year of High-school at C.I.A. At a young age, I have always had a business sense and working with my dad I formed my first company at the age of 16. I had set in motion a major production which ended up not working out but was a life learning experience, which I’m very proud of. I have just started a new company on island with a group of friends to produce some great entertainment for the island, so right now, that has been my latest accomplishment. There’s a lot more to come, so stay tuned.

What are your goals? I want to promote and help to make the entertainment industry grow on the island and the Caribbean as a whole. I would also like to continue with my friends to make films that we write, shoot and produce on our own and create something that will hopefully win some festivals and gain national attention. I would also like to create a foundation to help young students who don’t have plans for college and possibly have interest in the arts such as film production and acting and send these students to graduate schools in New York City. I also manage a local artist Apollo a.k.a. Johnny B and I would like to get his tour and deal up and going now that we have more time to focus on it.

What makes you special? I would say I’m very confident and can communicate very well with anyone.

Where do you get your drive? My drive comes from my influences around me, my parents Ileana Gomez and Bernard Hunt gave me a lot of my raw intelligence just by simply letting me discover my interest on my own. Then when I found it, by allowing me to pursue it and supporting me regardless of where and how I was going to do so. I spent so much time with my best friend Cameron that I feel I pretty much grew up in his household alongside mine. His parents Norman and Sue have always treated me like another son and I have had great conversations and jokes with both of them. My talented friends and family inspire me all the time, to try and be at my best so that gives me a drive like no other.

How long have you been gone? Officially two years but I came down for a few months and then went back for a year straight and now I’m here setting up the new company, so when I go back to New York, everything is smooth sailing.

Do you have any advice for the young people of St. Maarten? Stay focused and at the same time have fun. When you want to do something, no matter how hard it might seem to accomplish, it is possible! I have presented some crazy ideas to some very bright people and when you’re confident in what you’re doing, they will take you seriously. So get out there and do it; no matter what it is, do what you love.

Are you planning to return to St. Maarten in the future? I know for sure I will always have a house here in St. Maarten and I hope to always be active in the community. I want my kids to one day know what it’s like to live on St. Maarten.