11 THE KINGSTON College Old Boys Association USA held its annual reunion and awards gala on Saturday, May 7, after a three-year hiatus. Christopher Benjamin brought well wishes from the consul general of Jamaica, while president of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Association (UJAA), Lesleyann Samuels, also had a message for the occasion. President Dwayne Montaque reminded those in the audience that the association was celebrating its 40th year of serving Kingston College and thanked the honourees and attendees for making the effort to commemorate the occasion. Principal Dave Myrie’s message was given via a video clip as he was not in attendance. He commended the association for its yeoman service to the school. Among the awardees at this year’s event was renowned UK radio personality Everal ‘Bobo El Numero Uno’ Cranston who was also not in attendance. His batchmate, Dennis Pottinger, accepted the token on his behalf. Pottinger said that Bobo told him that the award meant so much to him, he insisted on himbeing dressed in the manner he did; fully representing the purple and white of Kingston College. Other distinguished alumni awards went to Clive ‘Lele’ Bariffe, Charles Headlam, Dr Noel Constantine Gray Sr, and Dr Ronald Gray (posthumously). The awards were presented by Dr Hugh Parker of Jamaica Smiles, secretary Winston Henry, former director Brian Morrison and director Dr Clinton Daley. Sheree Palmer, founder and principal of Cambria Center for the Gifted Child, was presented with the Community Service Award by director Alton Brown. Keynote speaker, Winston Stewart, a former president of the association, highlighted the many successes and collaborations the association had brought about, and the number of other things on the agenda left to do. There was a sense that he could have said more but it was time to dance! Brian Morrison read his poem, ‘Passing the Baton’, which urged those in attendance,not to drop the baton which had been handed off by the honourees and other stalwarts of Kingston College. Glenn Samuels (formerly of Fab 5) took centre stage and regaled the crowd with some well-known Jamaican reggae favourites. He gave a lively performance which segued neatly into the deejays’ section. They took over and kept the crowding jigging until the lights were turned on a little after 2 a.m. on Mother’s Day! Special thanks are offered to sponsors, patrons and supporters including Antun’s, the Consulate General of Jamaica – New York, Union of Jamaica Alumni Association USA, Inc. (UJAA) and fellow UJAA member organisations in attendance, Jamaica Nurses Association of New York, Alltime Printing, VP Records, Prestige Management, McCall’s-Bronxwood Funeral Home and the Facey Realty. Winston Henry Secretary KC Old Boys Association hosts reunion and awards gala From left: Stafford Gray ( accepting on behalf of his brother Dr. Ronald Gray), Sheree Palmer, Dwayne Montaque (president), Dennis Pottinger ( accepting on behalf of Everal Cranston), Charles Headlam, Clive Barriffe and Dr. Noel Gray Sr. CONTRIBUTED From left: Royland Gordon (Treasurer), Barrington Burke-Green, Winston Henry (secretary), Dr. Clinton Daley, Alton Brown, George Bell (VP), Dwayne Montaque (president), Courtney Richardson( VP), Tyrone Harris, Norman Scott, Wilton Williams, Christopher Campbell, Cedric Williams and Alvadio Golding. NEW YORK: THE JUBILEE gala returns after a fiveyear absence fromNewYork, to form part of the official slate of activities for the 60th anniversary celebration of Jamaica’s Independence, which is being observed under the theme ‘Reigniting a Nation for Greatness’. The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. “I ampleased that a team fromacross our diaspora community has come together to ensure that we will have a celebration that is worthy of Jamaica’s diamond jubilee of Independence. We are committed to ensuring that members of our community will feel the pride of being Jamaican as we celebrate together. I thank all the members of the team that have come together tomake this a reality, ”Consul General AlsionWilson said. The gala is being presented in partnership with Jamaica Independence Celebration Foundation Inc (JICFI) with net proceeds going towards various charities in Jamaica. Chairperson of JICFI, Paulette Willoughby, said, “I am delighted that the gala is coming back in this the 60th year of Independence. We have a long-standing tradition of amazing galas in the city and this year is expected to be the best one yet.” The planning team for this year’s gala is made up of members of the community with experience in putting on events. They are Andrea Bullens, Valerie Gray, Sephron Mair, Marsha Wallace, Clive Williams and Paulette Willoughby. Additionally, members of the consulate’s staff represented on the committee are Christopher Benjamin, Keera Clarke-Mills, Lottalee Paisley, Gregory Stewart and Corey Whyte. Details on the venue and ticket prices will be announced in the coming days. NY consulate to stage jubilee gala for Jamaica 60th CG Alsion Wilson. CONTRIBUTED jamaica at THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JUNE 2 - 30, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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