The 25th Annual Reunion and Awards Banquet of KCOBA USA Inc was held at Antun’s, in Queens, New York on May 3, 2008.The association honored star athlete Lindley Headley, philanthropist Molo Walker, both old boys and distinguished playwright and teacher Trevor Rhone. The Presidential Award went to the coaches and members of the 1975 Triple Champion Football Team and track and field Coach and Fortis Historian, Frankie Tenn. Audley Hewett of the Florida Chapter served as Master of Ceremonies.
The dinner was preceded by a working brunch that was well attended by our honorees and their family, a strong contingent from the Toronto Chapter, former Principal Keith Bryan, former President of the Jamaica Chapter Stratton Palmer and the hosting New York Delegation.
Topics discussed at this ninety minute get-together included: the recent conflict between the College and our George’s Brothers; how can we best address the youth violence that is endemic of our Jamaica society; the upcoming reunion at North Street involving both schools; the challenge we faced completing our Social Services Building at Melbourne; the importance of tackling and completing one project at a time; the pros and cons of providing salaries to our coaching staff and what it will take for KC to regain its preeminence at track and field. Obviously no conclusions were reached. However, all parties involved came away with a better understanding of the issues, the apprehensions shared by each of us and a commitment to work together for a resolution.
Lance Seymour is to the left, Molo Walker is to the right, as we break bread at the Saturday morning brunch
A wholehearted commitment was made at the outset of this year’s reunion that an adequate amount of time would be set-aside for our guests to dance. It was incumbent on our emcee to maintain a steady pace and Audley Hewett, efficiently accomplished that goal. Lindley said he had heard very positive reviews about our New York Reunions but having experienced it himself, was grateful for our recognition and humbled and proud of the New York Chapter’s history and service of commitment to Kingston College.
Some Members Of The 1975 Triple Champion Team: L-R: Leroy “Collins” Dias, Junior “JJ’ Johnson, Dave “Pompey” Brown, Douglas “Dougie” Bell, Haughton “Bumper” Fisher, George Dallas for Joseph Mckinson, Robert “Rodo” Rodney and George “Guggles” Atkins.
Molo, a former President and executive of the local chapter, said he was not sure why we honored him and felt privileged sharing the dais with a great trackman and an icon of the Jamaican Theater. However, what Molo did not mention was his history of generosity to the school and its many students. Trevor Rhone was our keynote speaker. He spoke glowingly of his mother, who during his three-year study in England sent him her forty pounds per month salary for the entire period that he studied there. Speaking affectionately of Douglas Forrest, Trevor credited Dougs as the first to hire him on his return home to Jamaica, making him at that time the only full-time Speech and Drama teacher within the country’s high school system. His speech was both eloquent and riveting, and one could hear a pin drop, as all eyes remained glued to Trevor.
From the left: Robert Kelly, Audley Hewett, Trevor Rhone, Molo Walker, Lindley Headley and Franki Tenn
George Thompson was praised as the only coach to have guided three Triple Champion teams in our football competition, first in 1964, then 1965 and again ten years later in 1975. Noel “Jubba” Rhudd, too ill to be here in person, was singled out for his dominant goal scoring from the center forward position. Frankie Tenn told of the most glorious innings of cricket he ever witnessed. During the Minor Cup final played at Clovelley, Collie Smith came to the crease late in the afternoon and recorded a century that led us to victory in the fifty minutes he spent at the wicket.
The 25th Reunion represented a great milestone for the New York Chapter and our years of meaningful contribution to the College. KC’s own DJ Prentice and special guest guitarist, Dwight Pinkney, provided music and a great time was had by all.
