Bishop Percival Gibson heeding the call of duty
Understood that building blocks, rough around the edges,
Could be honed and shaped into a thing of beauty.
Then came youngsters from as far away as Westmoreland.
From the fishing villages of Old Harbor Bay,
The coastal towns of St. Mary and Portland.
They came from August Town and St. Ann`s Bay.
From the narrow streets of Kingston's tenement Yards -
Rebellious boys strode in…diamonds in the rough.
Their homes teeming with undiscovered potential.
Some came broken but whole
Others came damaged but not impaired.
A few came from wholesome suburbs, having no idea of how
The other side navigated the narrow lanes of despair.
And so it was, in 1925 a vision was born,
Affording academic refuge to a host of talented teens
That were otherwise cast aside, ignored, or left off the team.
Now these youths had a campus of their own and we strived.
Little by little, tribulations notwithstanding - we strived.
With the blessings of our neighbors and communities - we strived.
And the world stage was never the same after that.
And so it was, the once rejected
Injected themselves into various fields of study -
Simple men inspired by the belief that they were worthy.
These men-of-faith took the baton given to them,
Given to us, given to you and ran with it.
And ran with it they did –
knowing in their hearts that they were winners
And winners never drop their batons.
So today we are here in this place,
Beneficiaries of those who opened the doors
For us to grow and expand as ambassadors.
We honor those men of character and charity…
Alumni dressed in colors of purple and of white
And of foresight and of a Kingston College
That would successfully impact the lives
Of young people - willing to put in the work.
A Kingston College that would encourage
Those around us to be better humans.
Today we are here,
far removed from the shores of the Caribbean sea
But still present at KC -
Never missing an opportunity to elevate North Street
Because we are the sum of sons that ran before us…
Decked out in colors of purple and of white
Proudly representing those who came before.
But did we drop the baton?
In a world immersed in turmoil and pain
We in this place when confronted
Must be brave and never yield to egotism
But instead embrace the solemnity of our baptism.
When our self-worth and dignity are being questioned
We must stand firm and grasp
The expansive nature of who we are,
Of the importance of these life relays and its implications.
For in this sea of uncertainty, chaos, and commotion
This much is certain - we dare not drop the baton!
Today we are here as living examples of the fact that
Douglas “Ðougs” Forrest and Ivan “Wally” Johnson,
Clinton “Fatman” Clark and Robert Kelly –
Did not drop the baton.
Sydney Ignatius “Foggy” Burrows and a host of others
Did not drop the baton.
Kingston College Old Boys, wherever you are,
Must serve as engines and generators that results
In the regeneration of the Fortis spirit and
Assist this generation with transition and matriculation.
Brothers - it`s incumbent on you to walk in the tradition
Of those who gave selflessly to ensure that through education
We can position ourselves and others with the confidence to win.
We should also consider ourselves lucky to have
Been supported by some fantastic sisters who believed
In us and the Fortis mantra –
Fortis Cadere Cedere Non Potest –
The brave may fall but never yield.
So today as we prepare to leave this place
We should consider ourselves fortunate to have been
Given the opportunity that started with Bishop`s vision
And ponder the question…
Did I drop the baton?
Brian “MeSeh” Morrison – March 19, 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Brian is a former director of KCOBA USA
Bishop Percival Gibson heeding the call of duty
Understood that building blocks, rough around the edges,
Could be honed and shaped into a thing of beauty.
Then came youngsters from as far away as Westmoreland.
From the fishing villages of Old Harbor Bay,
The coastal towns of St. Mary and Portland.
They came from August Town and St. Ann`s Bay.
From the narrow streets of Kingston's tenement Yards -
Rebellious boys strode in…diamonds in the rough.
Their homes teeming with undiscovered potential.
Some came broken but whole
Others came damaged but not impaired.
A few came from wholesome suburbs, having no idea of how
The other side navigated the narrow lanes of despair.
And so it was, in 1925 a vision was born,
Affording academic refuge to a host of talented teens
That were otherwise cast aside, ignored, or left off the team.
Now these youths had a campus of their own and we strived.
Little by little, tribulations notwithstanding - we strived.
With the blessings of our neighbors and communities - we strived.
And the world stage was never the same after that.
And so it was, the once rejected
Injected themselves into various fields of study -
Simple men inspired by the belief that they were worthy.
These men-of-faith took the baton given to them,
Given to us, given to you and ran with it.
And ran with it they did –
knowing in their hearts that they were winners
And winners never drop their batons.
So today we are here in this place,
Beneficiaries of those who opened the doors
For us to grow and expand as ambassadors.
We honor those men of character and charity…
Alumni dressed in colors of purple and of white
And of foresight and of a Kingston College
That would successfully impact the lives
Of young people - willing to put in the work.
A Kingston College that would encourage
Those around us to be better humans.
Today we are here,
far removed from the shores of the Caribbean sea
But still present at KC -
Never missing an opportunity to elevate North Street
Because we are the sum of sons that ran before us…
Decked out in colors of purple and of white
Proudly representing those who came before.
But did we drop the baton?
In a world immersed in turmoil and pain
We in this place when confronted
Must be brave and never yield to egotism
But instead embrace the solemnity of our baptism.
When our self-worth and dignity are being questioned
We must stand firm and grasp
The expansive nature of who we are,
Of the importance of these life relays and its implications.
For in this sea of uncertainty, chaos, and commotion
This much is certain - we dare not drop the baton!
Today we are here as living examples of the fact that
Douglas “Ðougs” Forrest and Ivan “Wally” Johnson,
Clinton “Fatman” Clark and Robert Kelly –
Did not drop the baton.
Sydney Ignatius “Foggy” Burrows and a host of others
Did not drop the baton.
Kingston College Old Boys, wherever you are,
Must serve as engines and generators that results
In the regeneration of the Fortis spirit and
Assist this generation with transition and matriculation.
Brothers - it`s incumbent on you to walk in the tradition
Of those who gave selflessly to ensure that through education
We can position ourselves and others with the confidence to win.
We should also consider ourselves lucky to have
Been supported by some fantastic sisters who believed
In us and the Fortis mantra –
Fortis Cadere Cedere Non Potest –
The brave may fall but never yield.
So today as we prepare to leave this place
We should consider ourselves fortunate to have been
Given the opportunity that started with Bishop`s vision
And ponder the question…
Did I drop the baton?
Brian “MeSeh” Morrison – March 19, 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Brian is a former director of KCOBA USA