Kingston College Old Boys’ Association USA Inc., (NY) recently elected Officers and Directors to lead the association for the 2011-2012 year. The election of Officers took place at the Annual General Meeting which was held on Sunday August 21, at St. Luke’s Home for the Aged, Bronx, New York. Rainford “Perry” Bloomfield ’88 was elected President. He succeeds Robert A. Kelly who, for much of the past twenty years had led this association or served as a director. Robert “Rodo” Rodney ‘76, retained the post of First vice-president, the others elected, Jermonth “Bobby” Dixon ‘72, Second vice-president; Leighton Hollar ‘71, Secretary and Alton Brown ‘86, Treasurer, are new Officers.
The Directors are: Alimi Banjoko ’74, Ansell Barrett ’73, Anthony Parks ’86, Clinton Clarke ’72, Courtney Anderson ’78, Damaine Cawley ’05, Devon Hussett ’78, Donald C. Davidson ’63, Everton Howell ’85, Merrick Foster ’88, Norman Scott ’57, Robert Scarlet ’86, Wilton Williams ’80.
KCOBA USA Inc. was formally incorporated in 1984 under the stewardship of renowned Old Boy, Ignatius Sidney “Foggy” Burrowes and has provided sterling support well in excess of J$50 million to the Kingston College fraternity for close to thirty years. One of the earliest efforts of the association was hosting the Chapel Choir for a successful series of concerts in 1985. Later, our support for boys at school, alumni and the physical plant, over the years has become the primary focus of this association. The concept of organizing past students from all walks of life to give back to their alma mater came directly from the lessons learnt under the tutelage of Bishop Gibson and second Headmaster Douglas Forrest.
The example set by Burrowes and the other founding members of the New York association has since been successfully replicated and chapters now exist in Florida (Ft. Lauderdale/ Miami and Tampa), Atlanta, Georgia, Toronto, Canada and new chapters are being organized in Harford, Connecticut and London, England.
The association’s support for the school includes the successful breakfast program, the program which was the brainchild of immediate past President Robert Kelly is now in its thirteenth year. For the 2010-2011 year the program was financed to the tune of J$637,500 providing two warm meals for academically gifted but economically challenged young men. Plans are afoot to enhance the program by including a mentorship component, the stated goal of which will be to groom articulate and well-rounded graduates who will go forth and provide the sort of Christian leadership Bishop Gibson envisioned when he founded KC.
The Chapter also underwrites a Scholarship program, last year J$1,275,000 in scholarships and grants was made available to 30 boys in the lower school, 5 sixth formers, as well as, old boys at tertiary institutions in Jamaica, Barbados, Cuba and North America. The association strongly believes that no boy should be denied the opportunity to develop his full potential and we believe that support to the Fortis Family should not be limited to high school.
The Joyce Baxter Math Club launched in 2009, is an initiative whose genesis came out of years of discussion between members of the NY chapter, who wanted to honour the memory of teaching stalwart Ms. Joyce Baxter, as well as promote the importance of mathematics as a foundation subject. The club which convenes twice weekly on the Melbourne Campus with 35-40 boys in attendance, is fully funded by this association.
Heavily involved in the sports teams at Kingston College the association contributed J$807,500 to fund the track and field, football, rugby and cricket teams over the last year. Additionally, members of the track team that participated at the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia where hosted by the association in Queens, NY; events such as these introduce younger members of the KC family to the work and reach of the association and along the way awaken the sense of dedication and service that is synonymous with being a Kingston College Old Boy. Indeed, many past students have given back to their alma mater and it is through the generosity of old boys that the association is able to fund many of its initiatives; this past year the Chemistry Laboratory on the North Street Campus was refurbished with donations earmarked for that project.
In addition to funding programs at school, the association also serves the Kingston College community in the New York metropolitan area hosting events commemorating Founder’s Day. Just recently a thanksgiving service was held to celebrate the life of old boy and former principal Ivan “Wally” Johnson; a similar event was hosted in 2008 for former sports master and football coach extraordinary George Thompson.
As part of his mandate, the new President is committed to increasing the level of participation by more old boys in the business of the association. Presently, 175 are dues paying members of the association, but he is of the opinion that a lot more can be achieved if the association extends its reach to every Fortis locally and internationally.
Bloomfield, who was a member of several championship winning basketball teams in the late 80s further states “As Old Boys and Fortis well-wishers, we manifest the greatest school spirit, yet we are not doing our best to support and build the legacy of Kingston College. We need to organize ourselves and give of our time, abilities and resources, financial and otherwise. Kingston College Old Boys Association may not be perfectly unified currently, but instead of waiting for that day when we are, sign-up now, get involved and be part of the journey to get there. Sign up and press the established organization to be better. Every KC old boy whether rich, poor, lawyer, doctor, barber, laborer, sports great or academically average is part of the Fortis Family and collectively we can do our part to support, protect and advance the legacy of our beloved alma mater, Kinston College.”
KCOBA USA Inc implores you to find and join your local chapter, activate your Fortis clique and let’s combine our efforts, for Fortis sake. KCOBA USA Inc welcomes all to join us, especially those living in the USA. Become a member at an annual contribution of US$50 and/or donate at www.kcobany.org.
Keep up with the Fortis Family by joining us on Facebook NY or Facebook Atlanta, following us on twitter @KCOBANY, and reading the monthly KC Times at: www.kctimes.org, here you’ll find links to your closest chapter’s contact information/website. Also, support our “Buy Fortis, Support Fortis” merchandising as every cent from proceeds goes to the many programs/projects we support at KC.
Fortis Cadere Cedere Non Potest – The brave may fall but never yield.