A virtual wall-to-wall turn out graced the larger auditorium of Brooklyn’s Nazareth Hall, recently, when members of the Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association (New York), Inc. held their annual Grand Christmas Party.
Past students and devout friends of the top high school of Guyana clearly demonstrated their full support for the outstanding work of the Association by their tremendous patronage at the bar and the almost simultaneous occupancy of the sprawling dance floor as DJ Hannah wooed them with her magnificent selections of oldies and goldies.
The Association annually hosts three major fund-raising events: the Easter Saturday black-tie affair, Labor Day Sunday’s ‘Bar-B-Que and Fete,’ and the Grand Christmas Party.
Evidently, the curtains of the Association’s third and final fund-raiser of 2003 came down with a bang. It was an affair to remember, and its president was visibly appreciative of the evening’s successes.
“We embarked upon an extensive promotional blitz and that, plus Mother Nature’s full cooperation, paid off big dividends,” said Gordon L. Wilson. ?t this stage, I take this opportunity to publicly thank everyone who supported our events in the past, and to confidently express our anticipation for their continued support in 2004, and beyond.”
While the articulate president gloated at the fortunes of the Yuletide fund-raiser, his sights were focused firmly on the direction, status and achievements of his Association over the years.
“The Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association (New York), Inc. has an ongoing commitment to assist in the rehabilitation and revitalisation of our alma mater,” Wilson pointed out.
“We, like other Chapters around the world, demonstrate this commitment by using funds generated from our events to purchase and donate valuable equipment to the school. These donations form a hard core of support in the continuous drive to keep moving the school forward,” said Wilson.
To elaborate slightly on the president’s glowing comments, members and well-wishers should be made aware that the Association so far, has made numerous breakthroughs.
It has donated uniforms to the school’s soccer team, provided computer equipment (1996-1997); air conditioners for the computer laboratory (1998-1999); US$5,000 worth of equipment to the science labs, and also solicited and donated US$1.5 million worth of equipment to the Georgetown Hospital and other major medical institutions in Guyana (1999-2000).
In addition, it has provided 100 folding chairs for the school’s Music Room, and also paid the first year’s tuition to the University of Guyana (UG) on behalf of: the first, second, third and fourth winners, respectively, of the Vernley Ward Bursary, in the names of Zelda Luke (2000-2001); Shauna Scotland (2001-2002); Ahiliyia Permaul (2002-2003); and Reana Parasram (2003-2004).
Between 2001 and 2002, several barrels of specifically requested books were donated to the school’s Library, along with geographic globes for use as teaching aids and six metal filing cabinets for general office use. In the following fiscal year, the Association donated a 27” TV, VCR and a DVD player as teaching aids for the Multimedia Room.
For the fiscal 2003-2004 period, projects include providing and maintaining high speed Internet access for the school’s Library and Computer Room in the first instance and, eventually, to the entire school thus restoring the ‘Wall of Records’ which once adorned the auditorium, but was destroyed by the fire of November 1997; and donating chairs for the said auditorium (which was rebuilt and commissioned on September 19, 2003).
Furthermore, and in keeping with QC’s motto, ‘Fideles Ubique Utiles’ [translation: ‘Loyal and Useful Everywhere’], the New York Chapter also hosts a non-fund-raiser on one Sunday every Summer when families, friends and fans attend a Family Fun Day at Baisley Pond Park in Queens.
“We usually encourage everyone attending the ‘Fun Day’ to bring items of food and/or beverage to share among others, for this particular annual event is definitely not a fund-raiser of any kind,” Wilson said. “In addition, competitive games are organised for the children, irrespective of age; and undoubtedly, a grand time is guaranteed,” he added.
Although the Association at present has a sound membership of well over one hundred, there is still an ongoing invitation for more former students, residing in this tri-state region, to get on board.
“The Association offers all alumni a unique opportunity to give back something to the school, which was a springboard for later endeavours enjoyed by almost everyone who passed through its hallowed halls,” Wilson pleaded. “We encourage all past students to take this incredible journey with us.”
The procedure of becoming a full-fledged member of the Association is a simple one; and proud friends and relatives of alumni can also partake in notifying potential members whose endeavours may not afford them the time and/or opportunity to assimilate.
“Membership is opened to all alumni of Queen’s College of Guyana, regardless of academic performance, athletic skills demonstrated, or length of time spent at the school.
Interested persons may write the Association c/o Mr. Lance Chase, 3709 Avenue M, Brooklyn, New York 11234. Membership dues are US$50.00 annually, and are fully tax-deductible,” Wilson explained.
The Association’s official website is: www.qcguyana.org and it links to other alumni Chapters. It has been developed and is maintained by alumnus Louis London (louis.london@kaieteur.com)) and has been updated, frequently, ever since its inception in July 1996. The assistant webmaster is Karen Wharton (kaiwharton@yahoo.com))
The Queen’s College of Guyana (originally Queen’s College Grammar School for Boys) was founded in 1844 by the Most Reverend William Piercy Austin, D.D., Bishop of British Guiana (now Guyana). The first assembly was held on August 5, 1844 with an enrollment of 15 boys. Although the school started out as an Anglican [Episcopal] Church School, Bishop Austin was interested in making it a more broad-based institution to include non-Anglicans. Its first administration, however, consisted only of members of the Church of England.
Formal classes commenced on August 15, 1844 in the Old Colony House (located in the compound of what is now the Guyana High Courts - the previous Victoria Law Courts). The original 15 students had two tutors, with Bishop Austin himself becoming the first Principal. In 1845, the school moved to Main and Quamina (then Murray) Streets. Its population was rapidly expanding and, with a student body of 73 tutors, another move took place in 1854 this time to its first formal building at Carmichael and Quamina Streets.
In 1876, the school became a “Colonial Institution” and was renamed Queen’s College. Several more moves took the school to the site of the present Ministry of Health building (Vlissengen Road and Brickdam) in 1918 and then to its present location in Thomas Lands (Camp and Thomas Roads), where the facilities were formally opened on December 3, 1951. The building there maintained its original form until November 1997, when an arsonist struck and the entire middle section of the school - comprising the offices, auditorium, tuck shop and bicycle shed - was destroyed.
Phase I of the rebuilding - the Administrative Block and Auditorium has been completed and was dedicated on September 19, 2003.
Dr. Laurence Clarke, a distinguished alumnus who now heads the World Bank country office in Angola, chronicled the school’s history from its inception up to 1994, as a tribute to its 150th anniversary. The keepsake publication, ‘Queen’s College of Guyana - Records of a Tradition of Excellence (1844-1994)’, is extremely detailed historically and packed with nostalgia. This volume is a ‘must have’ for every alumnus and alumna. A few priceless copies are still available at a cost of US$50.00 per copy, and can be obtained by contacting the President of the New York Chapter, Gordon L. Wilson (glwilson01@optonline.net)) Proceeds assist with the Chapter’s efforts at rehabilitating the school.
Queen’s College (Guyana), a full co-ed institution since the 1980s, celebrates its 160th birthday on August 5, 2004.
Lest we forget, past students of Guyana’s prestigious Queen’s College include: Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Sr., Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Jr., Forbes Burnham, Sir Lionel Luckhoo, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Sir John Carter, Professor Nigel Harris, Dr. Walter Rodney, Professor Charles Denbow, Professor Richard Allsopp, Dr. Ray Luck, Dr. Gordon Rohlehr, Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, Rashleigh Jackson, Samuel Insanally and Fred Wills, among many others.