The Harrison College Queen’s College Alumni Associations (HCQCAA) recently hosted the first ever virtual Night of the Stars, under the patronage of Her Excellency, Dame Sandra Mason, G.C.M.G., D.A., Q.C., Governor-General of Barbados.
Night of the Stars was built on an idea conceptualised in the 1990s by HC alumnus Ernest Batson. It was designed to honour outstanding alumni and raise funds for the two schools. The first such event was held in 1996 when two alumni, one from each school, were recognised by the HCQC USA Alumni Association.
Following the postponement of the Grand Reunion scheduled for Barbados in 2020, the four Alumni groups involved – HCQC USA Alumni Association, HCQC Alumni Toronto, The Old Harrisonian Society and the Queen’s College Association, both based in Barbados – decided on the virtual reunion.
The feature event – the awards ceremony – was immediately preceded by a unique ‘Meet and Greet’ reunion experience in which approximately 400 alumni from across seven decades, and the globe, and as far afield as South Africa and Dubai, participated. Guests were kept in suspense as award winners were announced in true Academy style. Awards were presented in the following categories:
Business and Financial Services: Sir Kenneth Hewitt; Education: Dr. W. Anderson Knight; Law: Sir Henry Forde; Medicine and Health Sciences: Dr. Juliet Daniel; Public, International and Community Affairs: The late Dame Patricia Symmonds; Media, Creative and Performing Arts: Dr. Cecil Foster; Sports: Mr. Obadele Thompson; and Science and Technology: Dr. Alan Emtage; Special Recognition Awards were given to the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and the Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, Governor General of Barbados, both QC Alumnae
The evening’s fundraising component focused on critical capital requirements of both schools with a goal of reaching $BDS 2 million by the end of 2022. Alumni were urged to visit the joint association website, www.hcqcalumninetwork.org to make their donations.
The production of a Commemorative book, the brainchild of Dr. Grantley Morris, HC alumnus, formed part of the package for this grand reunion. Sales from this compilation of school histories and individual profiles will also go towards the aforementioned fundraising goal. Alumni and guests were invited to pre-order by visiting the organisations’ website, www.hcqcalumninetwork.org
Guests were treated to musical performances from past and present students from both schools: Tayte Waterman, (HC), Joshua Jemmott (QC), Mikel Gooding (HC alumna), and Renee Simone St. John. The internet hosts were Dr. Sharon Marshall (QC alumna) and Daniel Best (HC alumnus). (PR)
