9 NEW YORK, NY: Jamaica’s participation at the Winter Olympics could soon rival that of the summer version of the quadrennial global sports spectacle. That was the essence of the message from Christopher Samuda, Esq, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), during his keynote address at the reunion and awards gala for the Montego Bay Comets Athletics Club/Comets Club International, staged at the Antun’s Catering Hall, Queens, NY, on Saturday, May 28. “IN AN ever-evolving world of sports, the JOA inspires change makers and innovative leaders while honouring history makers who pioneered the success of the present in realising hope for tomorrow’s victory,” he offered. Alongside bobsled and skiing, he mentioned figure skating, snowboarding and ice hockey as disciplines in the new and exciting frontier in the country’s ongoing quest for gold and glory. Samuda noted, too, that Comets Club International, at 45, continues to be a landmark in the annals of athletics exemplifying the mettle and character which accomplished Olympians and special honorees, Veronica CampbellBrown, CD and Donald Quarrie, CD, embody. Following a short video tribute, Olympians Donald Quarrie and Veronica Campbell-Brown were presented with Lifetime Achievement tokens for ‘inspiring a nation to greatness with their outstanding body of work, on and off the track’. Both have already been recognised by the Government and people of Jamaica, with national honours in the order of Commander Class (CD). Other awardees were: JodyAnn Dixon, a promising 400m runner, freshman at Hinds Junior College, Mississippi, and formerly of Clarendon College and Edwin Allen High School, who is the first recipient of the Rising Star Award. Myrtle Wedderburn, secretary/ treasurer of the Comets Club organisation, was recognised with an award for distinguished service and a tremendous sense of volunteerism, spanning four decades. The near capacity audience was entertained by the True R=Tribute Organization AllStar ensemble, headlined by LeRoy Graham, Jr, on saxophone and the award-winning, reggae recording artiste Carl McDonald. Comets Club Int’l honours ‘history makers’ THE PLANNERS MEET THE HONOREES. Lifetime Achievement awardees Veronica Campbell-Brown (4th left) and Donald Quarrie (5th left) meet committee members (from left), Barrington ‘Boca’ Campbell, director; Aubrey Campbell, founder/ executive director; Ameryia Thomas Campbell, member; Michael Campbell, president; Nova Perrin, vice-president/chair; LeRoy Graham, Jr, member/partner; and Myrtle Wedderburn, secretary/treasurer. LEONARD MCKENZIE PHOTOS LEONARD WHISPERS OF COMMENDATION. Hall of Famer John Melbourne (right ), host of the Winners’ Circle sports – WVIP, 93.5 FM and SoundChatRadio.com platform, presents Veronica Campbell-Brown, with her Lifetime Achievement Award from the Comets Club Int’l. THE BIG THREE. Keynote speaker Christopher Samuda, Esq, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), is flanked by (left) Olympians Donald Quarrie and Veronica Campbell-Brown after they were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Comets Club Int’l/Montego Bay Comets Athletics Club 45th Anniversary Reunion & Awards Gala on Saturday, May 28. NEW YORK, NYC: THE 64-MEMBER non-profit umbrella organisation of alumni associations of primary, secondary, and tertiary education institutions in Jamaica is hosting its 32nd annual High School Graduate Awards on Monday, June 27 at 7 p.m.. This is the signature programme of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA), Inc (UJAA) and it will be their third virtual presentation. IN CELEBRATION of Jamaica’s diamond jubilee, UJAA is focusing on engaging in outreach activities in all 50 states of the USA, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The progamme includes academic and extracurricular achievement awards and the essay competition. All graduating students are asked to complete a Student Profile Application and comply with the requirements in order to be eligible for cash awards. The essay competition is separate and optional. However, students are encouraged to submit an essay based on the given topic and the specified rules and criteria. The grand prize winner of the essay competition receives a trip for two to Jamaica. There are also consolation prizes. The deadline to submit applications and essays is June 1. The award winners will be announced on the UJAA website, www.ujaausa.org, on Tuesday, June 28, and students will be contacted individually. Alumni group marks 32nd celebration of high-school graduates JUNE 2 - 30, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com
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