I am proud to have had the opportunity to attend the Kingston College Old Boys Association USA, INC. 33rd, Annual Reunion & Awards Dinner Ceremony in New York City on May 7, 2016. This fundraising event dubbed 'Breaking Ground' spot lighted the current campaign to upgrade the Douglas Forrest Building at the North Street Campus. It appeared well organize, sociable, entertaining and will be remembered for a long time. The event room was pack with people of different backgrounds and social standings. The atmosphere too was positive and inviting.
If you were attending this affair for the first time you would have been directed to Antun’s ample parking areas. Then greeted at the door and shown where your function was being held. After presented your ticket you would receive a Journal and directed to your table. Inside this hall; the Music of Soul Tone Disco, Adour’s are being served and Open Bars at either end.
As the room filled up old friends met and greeted each other. Photographs were taken on the now famous Purple Carpet. KCOBA USA, Inc. Memorabilia’s were perused and bought so too were the books of Poet Leighton Hollar. KCOBA USA, Inc. has a little something to wet everyone’s appetite. Dinner is served as the evening’s program gets on the way. Master of Sermon the Right Reverend Calvin McIntyre is not only a long serving minister of the Episcopal Faith but is also adept at entertaining an audience and does so masterfully. The Honorees and Guest Speaker were also entertaining as well as informative but Singer, Mr. Boris Gardner OD, was a special delight as he thrilled the audience with his soft, smooth renditions of old favorites.
The Hon. N Nick Perry, Assemblyman, presented citations from the Borough of Brooklyn to our Honorees, making our 33rd, Annual Reunion & Awards Dinner - 'Breaking Ground' a Sold Out and FUNdraising success. Our Honorees and the full house of special guests happily expressed how much fun they had.
One Guest had this to say “KCOBA USA, Inc. congratulation for a successful 33rd Annual Reunion and Awards Dinner - 'Breaking Ground' Ceremony” I am especially proud to have participated in the bringing of your diverse honorees, special guest, well-wishers and supporters together, as you closed your celebration at Antun’s, with the joining of hands and raising their voices to Bob Marley’s “ONE LOVE” in celebration of your 33rd Annual Reunion. Breaking Ground was a success. I will long remember the love and enjoyment that I saw shining on the faces of each individual.” Charity Ferris
Our Honorees were Mr. Herman Sang, Ska, Mento, Reggae Musician; Ms. Karlene M. Largie, Union of Jamaican Alumni Association Past President; Mr. Barrington Barry G Gordon, OD, Radio Broadcaster extraordinaire; Ms. Lillith Barnaby, Ret'd French Teacher, Kingston College and President Awardee Leighton Hollar, KCOBA USA, Inc. Board Director and Past Secretary.
Special thanks to Fly Jamaica Airways, Principal Dave Myrie, Madame Marguerita Hall,
Ms. Helen Douglas, former Vice Principal, VP Records and the UJAA family of Alumni Associations.