A legend in both intellect and character, Stephen Vasciannie seemed destined to rise above the ordinary from the moment he walked through the gates of Kingston College (KC). Entering KC in 1971 from St. Richard's Primary School, Stephen quickly distinguished himself as a student of rare brilliance. Quick to absorb, eager to engage, and always ready with a question, his intellect stood out even among a cohort of high achievers. In the early 1970s, his academic aptitude was evident in every arena-from the classroom to the quiz team to the halls of student leadership.

The KC Years: Leadership, Excellence, and Mentorship

Interestingly, Stephen's KC journey almost didn't happen. With Stephen having aced the Common Entrance Examination with a Government Scholarship, some of his family members insisted that the Catholic youth should attend St. George's College (STGC). However, when told he needed to sit an entrance exam to finalize admission to STGC, he saw this as an unnecessary hurdle. Slightly annoyed, he crossed the street to KC, where Headmaster Douglas Forrest welcomed him without hesitation. STGC's loss became KC's lasting gain.

Affectionately known as "Vasci" by his peers, Stephen quickly became a school-wide role model. His intellect was undeniable, his leadership natural, and his determination unwavering. He embodied the school motto, Fortis Cadere Cedere Non Potest - not only showing that the brave may fall but never yield, but that with preparation, one can avoid the fall altogether.

A defining moment of his school years came in 1977 when, as Head Boy, he led the student body through the difficult aftermath of the big KC fire that destroyed Hardie House and damaged several other places. His calm, steady leadership reassured both students and faculty, affirming why he was a leader they admired and trusted. As Prefect, he mentored countless younger students, offering not just academic guidance but also life wisdom rooted in kindness and perseverance.

Stephen's contribution to KC's Schools' Challenge Quiz legacy is legendary. In 1976, he became the first non-Sixth Former to represent KC in the competition. The following year, he captained the team to victory, thanks to his intellectual prowess, strategic mind, and ability to inspire teammates. His wit and encyclopaedic knowledge made him a standout figure, inspiring peers to pursue excellence inside and outside the classroom.

Despite his many achievements, Stephen remained grounded and generous. He frequently assisted peers with exam preparation, including offering unconventional yet brilliant tips for the oral component of the GCE French exam-encouraging students to initiate conversation with examiners to ease tension. Many credit their success to his sage advice. Not surprisingly, he topped both the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations at KC for the years he sat them. It's little wonder, too, that former principal Ivan "Wally" Johnson referred to Stephen Vasciannie as "the gold standard of KC Head Boys".

The Next Steps: From Kingston College to the Global Stage

Upon leaving KC in 1978, Stephen received a UWI Open Scholarship with a performance that won him a University award of the highest value. Three years later, he obtained a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the UWI, with the best results in the history of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Awarded the Jamaica Rhodes Scholarship in 1981, he studied Law at Balliol College, Oxford University, where he graduated with First Class Honours (at the top of his class at Balliol). He then earned a Master of Laws (LLM) with a Starred First from Cambridge University (top of the class) and later completed the doctorate in International Law at Oxford. Stephen did his doctorate on a Commonwealth Scholarship and as a Research Fellow in Law at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge.

Stephen's journey was never about accolades. His academic achievements served as a platform for meaningful contributions to law, education, and public life. He has authored over six books and 50 scholarly articles, significantly influencing international law, investment law, the law of the sea, and human rights.

A Life of Service: Leadership in Academia and International Relations

For over two decades, Stephen served as Professor of International Law at UWI, shaping generations of legal professionals. His clarity, accessibility, and commitment to students made him one of the most beloved educators in the region. Many of his former students now hold leading roles in the legal community, often citing his mentorship as pivotal to their success.

In addition to his teaching, Stephen held prominent leadership roles in both local and international institutions. As Principal of the Norman Manley Law School, Stephen led initiatives that raised the School's international profile and expanded opportunities for its students. His leadership (with others) of the Law School's various mooting teams led to groundbreaking successes, helping Caribbean students gain international recognition. Later, as President of the University of Technology, Jamaica, he played a pivotal role in securing full accreditation for the institution, marking a significant achievement for Jamaica's tertiary education sector.

In public service, Stephen has served as Jamaica's Deputy Solicitor-General, offering guidance on key legal issues, including human rights, investment law and the law of the sea. He chaired Jamaica's Air Policy Committee and contributed to the development of Jamaican positions on a range of international and regional matters. As Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), he took his diplomacy to the global stage, serving as the Chairman of the Permanent Council of the OAS and as Chairman of the Legal and Juridical Committee of the OAS. His tenure on the United Nations International Law Commission further cemented his global standing.

Family, Legacy, and Reflections

A devoted family man, Stephen is the proud father of two sons, Dominic and Sean, both of whom are pursuing studies in law. His wife, Dr. Lisa Vasciannie, describes him as a loving husband and father whose wisdom, compassion, and humour shine through in many aspects of their lives together.

Stephen's humility, kindness, and generosity have earned him lasting admiration. His legacy is not only in his accolades but in the lives he has touched, the minds he has shaped, and the values he embodies.

Conclusion: A Life Well-Lived, A Legacy Forever Etched

To call Vasci 'bredrin' is no affectation. We share a close friendship from our time at KC, which continues till today. Indeed, so close was our fraternal bond that I spent much of my last year at KC living with Stephen's family, in a household that welcomed me with open arms. I was a son to his parents and a grandson to grandma, who never failed to slip a little pocket money into our hands at the beginning of each week and treated us to KFC most Friday evenings. Our exploits during that year were many and some legendary.

When we both left Jamaica to pursue further studies, our paths in the United Kingdom overlapped - he in Oxford, me in Bradford - and so we met up as often as time and distance allowed for additional exploits. We still laugh today about a visit to a famous Jamaican restaurant in Oxford, where, as two young men with hearty appetites, while waiting for our meal, which was long in coming, we nibbled on peanuts and several other items that had been placed on our table. To our surprise, at the end of the meal, the waitress came back and started counting up what she calculated we had consumed. "You had six peanuts, a handful of chips…" We were charged for every morsel per her estimates!

We still enjoy regular bredrin lunches at our favourite Chinese restaurant . These gatherings have become cherished rituals-occasions where we break bread, catch up on happenings both locally and overseas, reflect on developments in our lives, and of course, discuss all things Kingston College. One of the quiet privileges of friendship is getting a first look-and listen-to great works in progress. Over many of these fellowship lunches, I have been fortunate to enjoy a ringside seat as Stephen shared insights from his forthcoming books, long before they reached the public. With characteristic clarity and his signature straightforward style, Vasciannie spoke about Snapshots of State Practice: Selected Episodes in International Law (June 2023 to June 2024) and Maroon Claims to Sovereignty in Jamaican Territory . Both works reflect his rare ability to make complex ideas accessible without sacrificing depth. As an impartial ringsider, I can say without hesitation that these new titles are highly recommended reading-rich in scholarship, yet engaging for anyone interested in international law, history, or simply the sharp mind of a Fortis man at the top of his game.

One area where we worked closely together while at KC was Schools' Challenge Quiz (SCQ). Our commitment to SCQ continues. A week after our return to Jamaica in 1994, Vasci called me up and said, "Let's go down to the School". So began our journey with the Schools' Challenge Quiz Team - from junior coaches and benefactors to "elder statemen" and mentors. Over the years, we have taken great pride in watching the young men we've coached and mentored in the SCQ programme grow and excel in various fields-law, medicine, engineering, academia, public service, entrepreneurship. Their progress affirms the value of mentorship and fuels our continued dedication to the programme.

My bredrin' Vasci exemplifies the very best of Kingston College. From a curious and courageous schoolboy to a globally respected legal mind, university professor, administrator and public servant, his journey is one of brilliance, perseverance, and service. His story will continue to inspire future generations of Fortis men.

Long may this Fortis bredrin continue to shine, as his legacy remains a beacon for all who seek to achieve greatness through intellect, service, and integrity.

Sorry, though - Vasci has never been able to beat his older brother, Dennis Duncan, (or me), in a game of table tennis, or turn a good off-break past most of his friends at Melbourne Park and Clovelly. It is rumoured that Vasci made the KC First Form All Star squad for football in 1971 but never saw a minute's playing time. He has declined comment.

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