Yeah I Wrote This!

Simply put, the mix was the bomb!  Definitely, without a doubt, Hard Rock Café was stimulated with excitement. It roared with laughter as everyone recanted old stories and jokes about our tenure at
Saint Augustine’s College.  But one thing must be said:  Bahamians really don’t know time dread!  Everyone was absurdly late, except for Tresa Cambridge-Dennis whom apparently due to her Canadian living experience, had forgotten that 7:30pm in Bahamian time actually means that no one will be showing up until 8:26pm.  And that is exactly what we did.  But it was all good though, we made it up to her.

But truly, the Mix was an excellent ice breaker to start off our three day long list of activities. It was certainly sensational to see and to socialize with so many old friends.  Everyone seemed genuinely excited as they scampered about Hard Rock Café hugging and embracing each other.  Flashes from cameras could have been seen all night; even Tavares Bowleg pulled out his camera phone and started clicking away. Lakeisha Smith-Longley, the only person who seemed to have read and followed the request of her emails brought her year book, which was circulated throughout the bar as everyone pointed out old high school pictures and laughed at how young we used to be.  Old copies of the SAC Class of 1994 Newsletters were also circulated and everyone eagerly read the past articles.  In fact, a number of persons ‘ghost’ copies for their personal achieves, which was all good though.

As the night rolled out, Hard Rock Café was filled to the brim with fellow graduates. We literally took over the entire complex and its staff seemed to cater only to us.

Everyone wanted to know who we were, as patrons and onlookers were in awe to see a class so together, so organized and having so much fun.  In fact, the event was even attended by numerous ‘friends’ of the class of 1994.  Well wishers like Makeva Cargill, Adrienne Fawkes and even Charlene Reid who are all definitely still apart of our class in spirit were present, and they fervently joined into the celebrations as the various cliques merged to form one spectacular reunion group.

But it was definitely ladies night at Hard Rock Café that night, as the women of Class of 1994 came out in storm.  Everyone was undeniably getting along with each other and as the night ended, we were all obviously eager to be present at the Reunion Gala that was going to be held the next evening.

 Day two: the Gala

Our Three Day Reunion Event Was The Bomb! 

Fun? Man, the word ‘fun’ cannot explain the spankadocious time we had during our three days of blazing excitement on July 16^th 17^th and 18^th.   Definitely, SAC’s Class of 1994 knows how to party and party is what we did!  And like Jay Ambrister used to say back in school, a distant ten years ago, we did it “just like that,” simply because the Class of 1994 is used to pulling off spectacular things and this one was definitely ‘copasetic like!’

 The Gala

That’s right our dedicated and anticipated efforts had culminated into a breathtaking and well planned affair.  An affair that was the talk of  the town days afterwards; an event so brilliant, and so electrifying that rightly so, it is indeed something we all should be proud of; for only few classes have been able to bring together so many persons in order to celebrate life and past friendships.  In view of that, that is exactly what we had accomplished: we “jumped up and let the Bahamas see that the Class of 1994 still has love and unity, togetherness!”

But as a reminder to those of you whom had ventured down to Sandals Royal Bahamian Hotel, on the Cable Beach strip on that hot and exhilarating night for our Reunion Gala, and more so, for those of you who weren’t able to attend, here are a few highlights from that evening:

 Prizes and Surprises

Firstly, there were all kinds of prizes and surprises.  The trivia questions brought back numerous fond memories of us trudging through SAC trying to make a difference, memories about our clash outs with administration regarding our individuality, memories about the parties, the fun and jokes we all shared on campus and even memories about the pride we had from just wearing the red tie and the plaid blue skirts. 

But the surprises did not stop there.  Gia Chisolm’s Frolic captivated the audience with a spectacular fashion show.  Unquestionably, her tantalizing girls who strutted their stuff throughout the dining room peeked our class’s interest, beckoning us all to visit the store on Marathon Road to see what exactly the store has to offer.

 They burst out in song

Yep, we sang!  A little out of tone and with a lot of bass, but we sang all the same: enthusiastically, and passionately.  Can you imagine that even though ten years have now past, people still remember vividly SAC’s school song?  Truly, Sandals’ ball room was electrified with our ‘great’ voices, as the staff and invited dinner guests looked on with awe and admiration.

And then there was a beautiful rendition by Sonia Heastie, whom had our entire class on their feet, cheering and applauding this beautiful song bird’s talent.  It was like our graduation day all over again!

 Tribute to Mario and Demetri by Syretta Wells and Simone Barnett

In all things, we must give thanks, as it is right to give thanks to our Creator.  I must confess that both tributes to Mario Jarrett and Demetri Ferguson given by Syretta and Simone were simply amazing and very touching.  The way how they both highlighted these men, our fallen heroes, brought back fond memories about their lives.   In deed as our class lifted up their glasses to toast and to pay tribute to their memories, it was clear that these great men were missed and played an important role in our lives.

 The Group Picture

Now you all know, that any place where Hillard Thompson, Mark McCartney and Francis Burrows are, there is going to be some back teeth showing laughing.  With that being said, imagine us trying to take a group picture with these comedians heckling Fabian, the photographer about why he wants us to be so close, so squeeze up under each other, just to take a simple photograph.  As you may have guessed, tears from heavy laughing poured down person’s faces as Fabian tried desperately to organize us to take this important picture.

 Flying from Far to Make the Reunion Gala

It was definitely exhilarating to see so many fellow alumni; clearly it was a night to rekindle old friendships and to reminisce about past events.  Nevertheless, the thing that was utterly fantastic was to see so many persons whom had made the extra effort to travel distances in order to be apart of this momentous event.  Persons such as Willeisa Francis came down from Grand Bahama; David Cartwright and Simone Barnett came down from Florida; Bronson Pilgrim came down from Ohio; Chad Munnings came from Cuba; Alphie Bullard and Gandhi Knowles came down from England; Tresa Cambridge came down from Canada; Kenneth Ferguson came down from New York; Syretta Wells came down from Chicago; Candance Johnson came down from Detroit; Elton Gibson came down from Barbados; and Vandeka Ferguson came down from North Carolina.  Truly, these persons effort made our reunion grand as it clearly showed and reminded us who lives in Nassau that we have friends abroad

Then There was the St Mary’s Hall Type Dance Hall Partying

First of all, we all must confess that the D.J. was definitely wack!  Alpha Sounds definitely owes us some change or some kind of compensation to say the least.  But as the lights were turned down low, and everyone decided to make the best of it, David Cartwright started to scull with Vandeka Ferguson.  Both smatched the roach and did the belly yuck, compelling everyone to join them on the dance floor in order to do the electric slide and to feel the soca! 

Clearly, everyone themselves, dancing, laughing exchanging stories.  Even invited guest boast that they had a terrific time and said that they felt as if they were apart of our graduated class.  Then there were times when you actually thought they were.  Alphie’s, David’s Kenneth’s and Ean’s girlfriends amusingly played host as the alumnis took their group photographs and  Tresa’s and Patrel’s husbands and along with Candance boyfriend were extremely gregarious to the point that one would have thought they went to school with us.  Truly they are cool dudes!  

Day three: Church Service and Picnic

The Conclusion of SAC Class of 1994 Reunion Exercise(Day three)

So they decided to take us to a Catholic Church on Sunday, July 18^th, to close out our three days of blazing fun for our class reunion.  I wonder who thought up that bright idea! For everyone knew that the gala would have probably lasted all night, not to mention that there was going to be an after party.  Nevertheless, we showed up all the same, puffy eyed, craving sleep and maybe even suffering from an mild case of hang over, but we were still were present and adequately represented our graduating class at Saint Joseph’s 10:30am mass on Boyd Road.

But man, I must say that them people at that church does party hard nah!  They had Junkanoo and a Holy Ghost singing type choir, who in my opinion can match or beat out any Baptist or “Jumper church” chorale with ease.  It was definitely amazing to see the entire church stumping their feet, clapping their hands, and doing the “Vola shuffle,” to the church’s goat skin drums and to the choir’s singing.

But our reunion exercise was still not completed.  After deciding who will bring what at the beach, it was off to Nirvana Beach, way out West Bay Street somewhere.  And for those of you who did not attend that event…well, it rained, and not just some spry either, it rained, cats and dogs and big ole elephants too.  But you all know SAC people them love to celebrate, so they still braved the weather, and came out like crabs after the shower.  Ean Maura and Bernard Godet pitched the tent and set up the tables.  Antonio Lockhart barbecued a truck load of chicken, and Dominique Brennen’s mom made the world’s best tasting leaded and unleaded punch ever.

A special kudos goes out to Ricardo ‘Fat Cat’ Williams who graciously blared his SUV’s speakers all night in order to provide us with some good ole 90’s reggae and rap.  Also kudos goes out to Antonio Lockhart who saved us from them huge mosquitoes by setting the bushes a blaze. 

The beaches picnic continued until late night, with people swimming, playing board games, dominos and even chanting old SAC team songs.

Just the other day, I came across a fellow graduate whom I hadn’t seen in quite a while walking down town.  As it is my usual custom, I welcomed him with a bright, back tooth showing smile and my usual uncanny excitement. After the standard greetings and good wishes were exchanged, I asked him if he was excited about our upcoming reunion, whether he had visited our web page, contributed a bio or had he attended any of the recent reunion meetings?  

Then, with an odd pause, he said chokingly, “Man, Cecil I ain’t coming to the reunion.”  He explained further, “I haven’t accomplished anything yet, and I don’t want people to think less of me.  You know how they does go?”

I was baffled to say the least to hear his sentiments. I could not believe that there are people who still have issues concerning events that had happened during our high school stint.  Nonetheless, briefly, I entertained his point.  But quickly retorted, “But who the hell cares what they think!  Our reunion is a celebration.  It may in fact be our last celebration together.  It’s a celebration of life, a recollection and appreciation of our past and the possible rekindling of old friendships.  If there is no other reason to come to the reunion, the sole reason should be: just to say that you were there!  I am sure Mario and Demetrie, God rest their souls, would have been right there dancing elephant man’s blaze, or the ‘pon de river.  Truly, if you don’t come it would be an affront to their memory.”

Fortunately, at the end of my drawn out tirade, which included vivid demonstrations of dances and odd faces, he exclaimed, “Ok I’s coming then, I never looked at it that way!”  And I responded happily, “Yeah man, see you at the reunion, e’ry one gon be there.  I’s learning all the new dances too, cause me and my sweetie planning to mash up the dance floor!”

But music wasn’t the only thing that had heralded us into popularity; being dubbed  ‘bad boys’ did that too.  We grew up in the decline of Nassau’s gang wars, but somebody had forgotten to tell the bad boys of L.W. Young School and Fox Hill that the thug life was over, as often times we found ourselves being their victims.  Nonetheless, our class was not like the classes that SAC had previously, we never liked being dictated to; consequently, everyone started to ornate themselves with a though exterior.   We all pimped Clark Boutiques, Travel Foxes and Vikings, and if you weren’t wearing Lee or Levi, you were considered square; (amusingly we had a great number of squared persons amongst us).  But, truly, like the song said, “bad boy a walk bout the place” and we lived by that song, having huge bawls in the locker rooms, preparing ourselves for whatever the nasty world had in stored for us.  We made such a splash during our first year, that Administration quickly dubbed us “The Worst Class That SAC Ever Had,” a title that followed us throughout our tenure at SAC. 

Grade eight
In grade eight, we started to simmer down. We gelled more and started to form into cliques.  Mario Jarrett was still the smartest person we knew, Lakeisha Smith sold her lolly pops, Brock Thompson, Peter Knowles and Lenneth Brozozog still played ‘who can spit the farthest,’ (nasty)!  Tresa Cambridge was every eight-grade boy’s fantasy; Cecil Newry and David Cartwright entertained everyone with stale jokes, (in fact, Cecil had his own dance which was a cross between the hammer and lion bounce).  ‘Bee-bee’ and ‘Command’ were the games to play and we cannot forget the dreadful partition wars between 8A and 8B. 

Grade nine
Grade nine went by quickly, the young women in our class were aggressive and were considered smarter, and the guys had to play catch up for a while, but everything was still cool.  Grade nine was our formation years; it was during this time that such names as Fat Cat, Helmet, Kido, Cool J, David Rodigan, Air Roberts, Bimini, Auntie Mel and Lisa D came into existence.  Sandwiches were known as “P’s” “C’s” or “LTOC’s” and saying sorry to, and kissing the grass when you cut cross it was the norm.  Black Beauty was the most feared stick in our world and 9c stayed in trouble and knew the stick well, (remember the time that they shouted ‘burn that baldhead),’ making a teacher cry.  Well, making teachers cry was a hobby for us apparently, for it continued throughout our tenure.

Grade ten
SAC changed for us or maybe it was us who had changed.  We were now superstars, and were considered SAC’s finest;  (a self proclaimed thought).  Sean Knowles, whom everyone thought was forty years old, dethroned Mario as the smartest student, Aaron ‘G. String’ Roberts and Kareem ‘Storm’ Lilas were the hip-hop all-stars, Chima Johnson and Alphie Bullard had the art of reggae down pack and we played football in front of the science block every afternoon.   This was the year we were dubbed ‘teacher firers,’ for we went thru so many so quickly.  They all quit, frustrated.  Oh well!

Grade eleven
We finally controlled Red Square.  Francis ‘Stud B.’ Borrows lived in the Dean’s office, and the Student council was ran by Ean Maura with his ‘thumbs up’ campaign, along with Nadia Curry, Norad Morgan and Sean Knowles. There were cliques such as Rhondi and her crew, the Dog Pound and the Brotherhood and Chess was the game to play.  Mark McCartney and Omar Williams were mischievously funny.  Carol Dames shock the entire school at fun day wearing a black body suit, (Wow! Flash backs) and History Class was the class to be in.

Grade twelve
This was the most challenging year for us.  Administration continuously threatened that we weren’t going to graduate and had canceled prom, so we had our own.  Dyron Ferguson, Deshon Foxx, Tanya Wildgoose and Devaughan Munroe mashed up the tracks.  David Cartwright and Ghandi Knowles pulverized swimming and the basketball court was run by the twelfth grade, in fact they even boycotted playing once.  This was also the year of the silly, mandatory six-inch distance rule between male and female students at all time, which was put into effect by administration. Henrea Ferguson was accused of making duck quacking sounds when a certain principal waddled down campus.  Francis Burrows and Vanessa Thompson led the cafeteria boycott.  Daxton Thompson was considered a jinx, as every girl that he sat next to in class miraculously became pregnant. Tiffany Maycock wrote sexy romance novels, Omar Williams was the most talented artist that we knew and Antonio Lockhart held his own daily ‘church service’ before and after school. But, then it all came to an end:  The last day of school for us ended in the same chaotic and legendary ways in which they had begun.  The entire day was spent slacking off, singing songs and signing our class’ yearbooks. 

The girls followed tradition by wearing their hairs in twos and threes, tied with bright ribbons.  They even trimmed their uniforms to make mini skirts and played ring play in the middle of Red Square.  Oh, remember there was torrential rain that day, subsequently, with the help of Mother Nature, the boys pulled off the biggest and grandest water fight possibly in SAC’s History!  The event was complete with water balloons, ‘water cannons’ and huge new trash bins fill to the brim with rainwater.  In fact, some of the ‘artistic’ boys decided to full their balloons with red paint and actually painted Red Square red.  Paint was splattered everywhere, and you know the powers that be did not like that.  But what could they have done, it was the last day of school and there was absolutely no time for last minute convocation.

Truly we were the envy of the entire school’s populace that day, as they all looked on at us in awe.  We were indeed the princes and princesses of the campus and SAC was undoubtedly our kingdom.  Those were the undoubtedly the good ole days with memories that should and will always be treasured, for we left our mark at SAC, and our class has been whispered about even today.

As I write about my high school brethrens, I remember how we all use to hang out with each other in Red Square before and after school.  How we all used to hike from Bernard Road to Village Road’s Round about, how many of us were in the same clubs, played soccer, chess, raided brother Henry’s bakery at break time and even borrowed money from each other.  Actually, I still think, Ivan owes me some money!  Those were the good ole days and I thank God for them and particularly for my school brothers.  Rightfully, at this time, I would like to wish them every success for this New Year and I hope to see them at the Reunion.

Also, Ms. Rolle was tremendously delighted by our gesture.  In truth, she has been following and supporting our entire reunion effort for the past several months.  Ms. Rolle has every Class of 1994 Newsletter which she keeps as a memento to the memory of her son. 

I think that it may be safe to say, that we are no longer innocent in the ways of life; and that with life’s extraordinary journeys, our roles too have changed.  Consequently, we now find ourselves enjoying paying the bills and meeting the personal obligations that our parents once were responsible for only a short time ago.  But then again some of us still have our parents taking care of us.  Lucky them!   Notwithstanding that fact, there are many amongst us who can happily boast that they now have their own families, with their own rug rats who soon attend our great Alma Matter.  And even more so there are several persons who can also boast that they are successful proprietors of their own businesses:  Omar Williams with his breathtaking Wild Seeds Designs, Bronson Pilgrim with his web hosting site brontoweb.com, Gia Chisholm with her exquisite Frolic and of course Jay Ambrister with his numerous outstanding enterprises.  

And then there are those who were blessed to have found their soul mates and who have decided to exchange nuptials.  Great men like Paul Albury, Darvin Cartwright, Starsky Cartwright, Anton Haven, Deshon Fox, Sean Knowles, Anthony Lowe, Mecal Newbold, Bronson Pilgrim, Brock Thompson and Ricardo Walker have all decided that the bachelor life wasn’t for them.  Similarly, stunning beauties such as Nadia Toote, Tiffany Maycock, Gia Chisholm, Tresa Cambridge, Vanessa Thompson, Nadeen Curry, Patrell Wallace, Ayodelle Horton, Lakeisha Smith, Raquel Carol, Chanaki Whyms, Nadia McHardy, Henrea Ferguson, Nadia Adderley and Monique Cooper have all been wooed and won and have adopted a new last name as there own.  There have also been beautiful love stories amongst us fellow graduates too; I dare mention the likes of the recently married Ayodelle and Deshon Fox, the dating duo of Ivan Roberts and Dominique Brennen and the lovely engaged couple Trevor Tucker and Nicole Humes.  Truly, it is good to see that love flourishes amongst fellow graduates. 

Then there are those of us who have put on some ‘sexy weight’; I know Jay Ambrister, Tavares Bowleg and Francis Burrows wear theirs well.  Mine isn’t too sexy though! (Winks.)  Similarly, there is even a once ‘divo’ who has gone a little bald, but I am not going to call his name out, (Starsky), but he wears it well all the same.

Nevertheless, we all have changed a little and with those changes we still gladly venture out to congregate with each other at our reunion exercise this coming July.  Some of us, like David Cartwright, Candace Johnson, Tanya Wildgoose, Carol Dames, Tresa Cambridge, Kenneth Ferguson and Kareem Lilas have migrated to different soils but will still brave the skies in order to return home for our big bashment. Truly, it does not matter what we once were, but that we are still here.  Here to celebrate with each other, to dance up a storm, to laugh and cry, to reminisce and to say: “Boy, Dem SAC Class of 1994 could party aye, dey still together dread!”

In this complex and challenging world, it is safe to say that we all have been tremendously blessed with having certain ‘earthly angels’ who guide our paths and footsteps and who have generously enriched our lives in so many special and momentous ways. I, and I am sure many of you as well, have been abundantly blessed with knowing one such earthly angel: Mr. Leviticus “Uncle Lou” Adderley.  

I met Uncle Lou, for the first time several months before my tenure at our great Alma Mater, Saint Augustine’s College, as he scurried through the hallways of the small public primary school, which I had attended in Grants Town, on top of Blue Hill Road.       Amusingly, at that time, I had no idea who this gentleman was; nor was I aware of the magnificent role that he was going to play in shaping my life, (in spite of the fact that my mother had already on numerous occasions educated me about the great black principle of Saint Augustine’s College).  Nevertheless, I remembered thinking to myself as he darted pass me into the principal’s office with the envelope that contained my future, “my gosh, that man short and black aye.” 

During my formative years, my mother thought it was very important and necessary for me to have a strong black role model whom had gone through many of the same challenges that I was about to go through, consequently she took me out of the government school system, and sacrificed much in order to ensure that I had the opportunity to meet this giant of a man, this man of action, who had been responsible for molding many other great men before me, while having the opportunity of obtaining a private school education.

During my tenure at SAC, I had encountered many trials and distress; consequently, it became obvious that it was going to be very difficult for me to fit in at the school.  Nonetheless, it was Leviticus Adderley who had dedicated his time and energy to counsel me about my temper and my indifference and my many inferiority complexes that had plagued me during my earlier years.  I remember many a time that I was summoned to his office where he gave long speeches on why I can’t settle for mediocrity, how I must learn to be a leader to appreciate and respect others opinions.  I remember how he rambled on about how it was my duty to make a difference on campus and how he chided me for making excuses for my actions.  Even for that alone I thank him as I find that I owe him a debt of gratitude.  I hope to honor him by living a life by his example, for he is truly an icon of manhood who reinforces the values of male leadership and Christian living. 

Uncle Lou was definitely a great Bahamian man for whom we all should be proud; I especially regard him as my role model to which I have patterned my life.  Although Uncle Lou has passed from this part of God’s vineyard to those streets of golden where his labors have been rewarded, he will never be forgotten by those whose lives he has impacted.  May he rest in peace.