The KCOBA (NY Chapter) USA Inc.’s Scholarship Awards and Panelists Presentation, held on March 26, 2026, in the school’s chapel at North Street, was a well-organized and meaningful event that celebrated student achievement while reinforcing the values of responsibility, perseverance, and service. The program was competently emceed by guidance counsellors: Ms. Nadine Eschoe and Dr. Owayne Frater, who guided the proceedings with clarity and poise.
The ceremony began with prayer and words of inspiration by Father Michael Brown, the school’s chaplain, who encouraged students to embrace a lifelong commitment to giving back to their communities. His message set a reflective tone for the event, reminding attendees that success carries an obligation to uplift others. This theme was echoed in the welcome remarks delivered by Principal Dave Myrie, who emphasized that scholarships are not merely gifts but responsibilities. He reminded the gathering that these opportunities extend beyond the individual recipients, positively impacting families, communities, and future generations.
An overview of the scholarship program was presented by Vice Principal, Mrs. Marguerita Douglas Hall, who outlined the criteria used in selecting recipients and highlighted inspiring success stories from past scholars. Her remarks underscored the transformative power of educational support. The audience was then treated to a musical selection by the young and talented Jaheem Campbell (Form captain - 7 Gibson) whose performance added a vibrant cultural element to the proceedings.
The event continued with greetings from Dwayne Montaque, President of KCOBA USA Inc., who expressed sincere appreciation to donors, board members, and all contributors who made the scholarship initiative possible. He then introduced a diverse and accomplished panel of speakers whose experiences provided valuable guidance to the students. Among them was Mr. Michael Laidlaw ‘75, a financial analyst who reflected on his involvement in extracurricular activities during his time at Kingston College and urged students to strive for excellence, reminding them that “if you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.” Mr. Aston Archer ‘77, President of KCOBA, New England, spoke briefly about his academic journey and professional growth after leaving KC. Mr. Richard Housen ‘82, a Toronto-based attorney and President of KCOBA, Toronto, shared how the school’s motto (The Brave May Fall, But Never Yield) had a lasting influence on his life, and he stressed the importance of paying it forward. Mr. Mickel Robinson ‘16, a financial analyst and first-class UWI honors graduate in Actuarial Science, described the scholarships as investments in the potential of the young scholars.
An unscheduled but impactful contribution came from civil engineer Danoi Hartley ’16, who encouraged students to remain resilient in the face of challenges, urging them to rise, recover, and continue striving whenever they encounter setbacks. The panel also featured two student representatives: Kaelin Malcolm (12 Arts 2) and Joshua Lawrence (10 DeCarteret). Kaelin spoke passionately about gratitude and the importance of giving one’s full effort, drawing from his active involvement in the chess club, quiz team, and his leadership role in the software engineering club. Joshua expressed appreciation for the scholarship opportunity and shared his experiences at KC. He is a young author and member of the music club.
A lively and engaging question-and-answer session followed, allowing students to interact directly with the panelists and gain deeper insights from their experiences. The program then returned to musical entertainment with additional performances by Jaheem Campbell and the KC Music Club.
The highlight of the event was the awards presentation, which recognized outstanding student achievements. Jordain Dover received the Most Improved Scholar award along with a laptop, while Machale Brown was recognized as the Top Math Student (from The Joyce Baxter Math Club) and he also received a laptop. The Distinguished Leader honor, known as the Alton C. Brown Memorial Award, was presented to Damani East. The Top Academic Award was awarded to Kaelin Malcolm, with both top honorees receiving laptops and monetary prizes.
The formal proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Akeem Gordon (12 Science 1), who acknowledged all contributors and participants for their roles in making the event a success. Special mention must go out to all the parents, family members, teachers, and friends who attended the event. Acknowledgement to President, Mr. Richard Lindsay (KCOBA, Jamaica), who was in the audience. The occasion ended on a celebratory note, as attendees gathered for food and social interaction, further strengthening the sense of community.
Overall, the event was a resounding success, and anticipation is already building for next year’s staging, scheduled for 1:00 PM on the Thursday of Champs, in the St. Augustine chapel at North Street. See you there!
Check out the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7w0ojs0LME.