Spirit of Pres in the spotlightTuesday, November 11 2008
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Former awardees and members of the PSA executive, from left (Standing) Dr Joel Sinanan, Dr Keith Clifford, Michael Samuel, Dr Stephen Ramroop, Richar...
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, San Fernando, Past Students’ Association held its Annual Dinner and Dance at the newly refurbished Petrotrin Staff Club ballroom on November 1.
The night began with an invocation by beloved past principal and college icon, Michael Samuel. This was followed by a musical interlude by the college choir which rendered a number of stirring pieces to the musical accompaniment of Anthony Lee Mack and Peter Lockhart, under the direction of the indefatigable Cynthia Lee Mack. Lennox “Bobby” Mohammed, former decorated pan great and past student, paid a tribute in music to Professor Brian Copeland. Copeland, also a past student and first recipient of The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledged the lusty round of applause from his peers with great humility.
After dinner, the guests were treated to informative addresses infused with the usual Pres wit and humour, from Principal Errol Jaikaransingh and Past Students’ Association President Steven Samlalsingh. Treasurer Joel Edwards then inducted the inaugural board of the Brother Jerome Foundation, a charitable foundation created to assist needy students.
The board members comprise the Principal, Past Students President, and prior honourees and energy icons - Petrotrin Chairman Malcolm Jones; National Gas Company President Frank Look Kin, and Dr Keith Clifford. The other two appointees are popular south businessmanDerek Smith, who was also Master of Ceremonies at the Dinner and Dance and Justice Nolan Bereaux.
Traditionally, the Past Students’ Association honours one of its prominent alumni at each year’s Dinner and Dance. However, this year, which marks the college’s 60th anniversary, it was the “Spirit of Pres” that was recognised.
This celebration took the form of a spectacular audio visual show which featured hundreds of images drawn from the archives and also recent pictures. These were displayed on a giant screen flanked by two plasma screens on either end of the hall.
To supplement these pictures, was a historical retrospective of the college, expertly delivered by none other than television personality, Dr Keith Clifford. This was followed by a review of the college’s performance over the years in various fields from academics, to sports, to music, to scouting and many other fields.
The School’s Management and Administrative Committee, and the Past Students’ Association were also recognised. This review was professionally presented by the young and vibrant Andrew Friday. The production, developed by Richard and Russell Boodoo, Shawn Ragbir and Jamie Ramkissoon, was quite entertaining and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Later in the evening, The Spirit of Pres awards, were presented to two hard working, dedicated, and unsuspecting past students of the college, Joel Edwards and Dr Joel Sinanan, for their “unwavering, selfless dedication, tremendous service and inspired leadership” over the years.
Notable attendees included past Presentation honouree, Judge Anthony Lucky; renowned math scholar Harold Ramkissoon; economist, Patrick Watson; past President of Petrotrin, Wayne Bertrand; artist Willie Chen; and many other prominent past students. Also in attendance were students of that first class of 1948 Oswald Joseph, Johnny Williams, George Dieffenthaller; Mervyn Paul, William “Todos” Joseph and Bertwin “Mike” Samlalsingh. From all indications the evening was a tremendous success, with a large crowd of both young and not so young elegantly attired past students and their beautifully dressed partners in attendance at the magnificently decorated venue.
Guests dined on fine cuisine and sipped premium drinks at the all-inclusive affair, and mingled and danced the night away into the early hours of Sunday morning.
