Memorial Service for Hilarian Dana Seetahal, SC

The morning of May 4 2014  is one that many of us are likely to have etched in our memory for a very long time.

Almost one year ago, the Hilarian community - and society at large - was rocked by the sudden & violent passing of one of the most brilliant legal minds ever to grace the courts of Trinidad & Tobago: former Independent Senator, Dana Seetahal, SC.

Happy times: Hilarian Dana Seetahal, SC.

To fondly commemorate the life of this beloved Hilarian, a Memorial Service will be held in her honour next weekend. Details are as follows:

Date: Saturday 2 May 2015
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: Tunapuna  (Aramalaya) Presbyterian Church, Cochran St., Tunapuna

If you do plan to attend, please feel free to post in the comment section below.

Rest in Peace.

Mandisa Granderson Brings MAHALIA to Life in Theatre!

Are you ready to get lifted with the Legendary young Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson?

Mandisa Granderson, starring in MAHALIA: A Gospel Musical!

Don't miss T&T's own Mandisa Granderson in MAHALIA: A Gospel Musical  from 7 to 10 May 2015 at The Little Carib Theatre!

As a Hilarian, we should all know the power of a Granderson voice: Mandisa is the daughter of the legendary and well-loved Lorraine Granderson, who has guided many a choir member within the walls of Chancery Lane!

Ms. Lorraine Granderso

MAHALIA will also star Llettesha Sylvester as (the elder) Mahalia Jackson and Conrad Parris as Martin Luther King Jr.

Limited seating is still available; you may reserve your tickets HERE.

I expect nothing less than greatness (Grander-ness, even!) from this showcase, and your support will be greatly appreciated!

Hilarian High Five: Sarah Woodham

Sarah Woodham is off to Yale!

This creative, talented Hilarian is receiving high praise for her scholarship & acceptance to the prestigious Yale School of Drama, which boasts only twelve (12) admissions per academic year.

Hilarian Sarah Woodham. Photo Credit: (Hilarian) Maya Cross-Lovelace

Ms. Woodham already has a pretty impressive résumé, including work alongside notable Caribbean brands such as Robert Young & The Cloth for 3Canal, Meiling and Derek Walcott.

I also remember when Sarah was an integral part of the "Beyond Proof" project, alongside her mother, Greer Jones-Woodham, printer Alessandra Reyes and Art Educater (and Hilarian) Sabrina Charran. That exhibition also acted as the launch of the AMEN (A Memory Emerging New) Print House and featured fashion items both designed and created by the artistic quartet of Jones-Woodham, the younger Woodham, Charran and Reyes, based on indigenous printed textiles.

Sarah Woodham, working with her mother, artist Greer Jones-Woodham, as art educator and Hilarian Sabrina Charran looks on intently. Photo credit: Abraham Diaz of the Trinidad Guardian.

It is wonderful to see Sarah publicly credit her accomplishments thus far to her family and teachers, which include her Bishop Anstey High School high school art teachers Leona Fabien and Lisa Hutchinson!

Read more of the Trinidad Guardian Article here.

Congratulations, Sarah!

Hilarian High Five: Yinka Jagbir

Yinka Jagbir is a postgraduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development at the University of Belize, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies. As a Hilarian, Yinka is no stranger to excellence. She has the distinction of being the first person from the Caribbean to obtain a horticultural internship at the Smithsonian Institution, back in 2012. Not only does she hold a BSc. in Tropical Landscaping and Agribusiness, but she also earned an A.A.S in Ornamental Horticulture.

Yinka collaborates with Belizean local fisherfolk

Her Master's thesis focused on “Mapping the fishing activities in the multiple-use Turneffe Atoll MPA in Belize”. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are clearly defined marine ecosystems designated for greater protection, through legislation for the conservation and management of a marine resource or species. An MPA is an important fisheries management tool.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

In 2012, in order to address the rapid decline in the three target species of conch, lobster and finfish, 1,317 square kilometers of the Turneffe Atoll and surrounding waters was mandated a marine reserve. To better understand the illegal fishing activities occurring in the prohibited zones, hotspots were identified using a participatory mapping process known as Participatory GIS.

Hotspots of fishing activities in Belize

Results indicated that although majority of fishing activities occur within the general use zone the management at the Turneffe Atoll need to focus on where the illegal fishing activities are taking place and come up with relevant strategies to overcome resource-user conflict. MPAs can serve as important conservation tools for fisheries management and reduce yield losses to fisheries if
(i) clear, concise fisheries objectives fulfilling biodiversity goals
(ii) adequate enforcement and monitoring of restricted areas for fishing
(iii) regular consultations and research with management of other successful MPAs, and
(iv) attainable and quantitative parameters to measure success.

Yinka regularly meets with local fisherfolk to advance marine conservation in Belize

Yinka muses, "(...) the last 18 months in Belize has definitely been one of the most rewarding experiences allowing growth academically, personally and spiritually."

In true Hilarian spirit, congratulate Yinka in advance of her 2015 graduation!

BAHS in Sport - Rugby Champions!

Congratulations to the Bishop Anstey High School 2014 Rugby/Tagby Team!

BAHS Captain Jade Husbands receives League Trophy from Mr. Brian O'Farrell.
Jade also won an award for Outstanding Player of the 2014 Season.

The Team from the Red & Black walked away with the 2014 League Champions trophy, and Hilarian Jade Husbands made the victory even sweeter by being named one of the Most Outstanding Players of the 2014 Season! 

Bishop Anstey High School is a part of the Trinidad and Tobago Schools Rugby Union, who hosted their Annual Awards on the 15th April, 2015.

Bishop Anstey High School League Champions 2014.

The award ceremony, sponsored by Digicel, celebrated the collective efforts and commitment of the administrators, coaches and athletes of last season. Winners came from the 2014 League and Knock-Out Champions and the Outstanding Players of Season.

Congratulations to these ladies - a well-deserved honour after consistent & hard work throughout the 2014 Season!

Let's Go France!

Hillarie Jere Andrews is the CEO of a travel programme by the name of Reperio. The company has been arranging exchange travel for students of Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana for the past 5 years. 

By popular demand, Jere is spearheading a new initiative - "Reperio Travel Experience", for adults who are interested in their language immersion and travel opportunities but who are unable to participate in the traditional programmes because they are not students. 

The France tour carded for 15th to 19th August 2015 is now open for registration to the general public. We will be taking requests for spaces for this tour until 31st May 2015.

If you are interested, check out the flyer above for details!

Soothe Your Soul with Arianne Thompson's "Haven Re-" Event!

This weekend promises to be a very busy one on the Hilarian Front!

Celebrated Artist, Arianne Thompson, invites you to Haven Re- ­on April 26th! An event that will promote Relaxation, help you to Re-center and Rejuvenate yourself!

Come be a part of a day of tranquility to practice yoga, detox with a healthy vegan meal and learn some insights from a powerful mini workshop. The experience takes place in a beautiful location that is sure to rejuvenate your soul. Just one day and you will reap the benefits that will stay with you all week.

What the day includes:
A one-hour yoga session, fruit, water, a vegan lunch, a mini workshop & meditation session all in a beautiful location!

Date: Sunday 26th April, 2015
Cost: $350
Location: Beautiful garden in Santa Cruz
Time: 9am – 1:30pm
Workshop Instructor: Julian Stollmeyer

Sign up Now
There are two ways to pay and register:
1) Pop into the Youthful Vegan Café and pay in the café
Address: 1 middle St. and Patna St., St James (between Joes pizza and Long Circular Mall)
2) Email Ariannt@gmail.com to organize to collect the money and register you.

Its not just about yoga, its about spending a relaxing day reconnecting with yourself. You don’t have to be a yoga guru and if you are beginner you will still feel right at home!

This is a great initiative, and I hope the Hilarian Community will support!

Be A Part of the 2015 Hillarian Yearbook!

The outgoing Form Five Class at Bishop Anstey High would like to create a yearbook as part of the legacy that they will be leaving behind at the school. Exciting news, considering that this is the first one to be done in 10 years!

To commemorate this, they want to have a "Where Are They Now" segment in the book, specifically to highlight Hilarians who have graduated before them. 

All those who are interested in being featured, please send an email to winadams@hotmail.com with the subject title "BAHS Yearbook - Where Are They Now", with the following information:

Name
Year of Graduation
Profile (Face) Photo
Brief Update 

You may also send an inbox message to Shadelle, who will be happy to provide details on this initiative!

Relocation with Joy: A Series of Memoirs with Dr. James!

Dr. Jennylynd James, Ph.D., Author and Artist, presents Relocation with Joy: A Series of Memoirs on Sunday 26 April 2015 from 2:30pm at The Alliance Française Trinidad and Tobago, located at 17 Alcazar St. St. Clair, Port of Spain.

This event will include a lively session of book readings and presentations on relocation and travel, captured in her recently published memoirs:

Escape from Ireland
Goodbye Frying Pan Hello Fire
Red Car Long Legs

Books will be on sale and signed by the author at the event
Please RSVP to Jajames1_99@yahoo.com

If you can’t make it to the book launch, no problem-- you can get a preview of what's to come CCN 3, Friday 24th April at 7:00 am, when Dr. James has the opportunity to talk on the morning programme about the memoirs and the process in creating them. 

Books will be on sale at Metropolitan Bookstores, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.

This Trinidad Express story from December 2015 covers highlights from the memoirs. 

See you there!

Hilarian High Five: Makila York

Makila York, I'm shining the Hilarian Spotlight on you!

At 6'2, this statuesque, athletic young woman is carrying her international experience to her university of choice, Middle Tennessee State University, having started her volleyball career at Bishop Anstey High School.

Known for representing Trinidad & Tobago as a part of our National Women's Volleyball team in the past with her aggressive attacking skills on the court, Makila will now join the ranks of the Blue Raiders, and she is creating QUITE a buzz on campus with her arrival.

Her passion sports will certainly fit well with her major in Physical Therapy and her desire to pursue a career in physiotherapy. She is yet another display of the Hilarian balance of academics and sport that so many before her have balanced with ease, and we are proud of the fact that she has created so much excitement with the MT Coaching Team and Community!

Congratulations, and best wishes on your trailblazing success, Makila!

Welcome to the Bishop Anstey High School Alumnae Society Blog space!

Thank you for visiting the official blog for the Bishop Anstey High School Alumnae Society!

For over 5 years, this space has been a labour of love for a school has contributed to my personal and professional development, and was born out of a need for all of the past and present BAHS ladies. Largely due to the demand, and in an effort to widen the reach of information as it relates to the school, I have created this space to share more openly.

As is the case with original Facebook Group (which was the first official space for the Hilarian Community online), this blog is a place where we can reunite, reminisce, laugh, and reflect on the foundation of our sucesses as Hilarians. The group has really evolved into a hub of activity, with past students really excelling in an academic & professional capacity.

With pertinent updates provided by the Old Hilarians' Association, I also would like to share vital information for future events throughout the year, offer solidarity for special causes, as well as celebrate notable accomplishments that directly and indirectly affect us collectively as HILARIANS. 

I sincerely appreciate your continued support, and look forward to sharing stories and special notes with you soon!

"Non Sine Pulvere Palmam"!

    













Image Credit: Hilarian Jamila Stewart-Bishop of Zoom Photography