Cabinet's finest from Bishop Anstey High School!

Today, history was made once again in the political arena of Trinidad & Tobago, as the Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony was held at Queen's Hall, Port of Spain.

There was much speculation as to which political figures would take on the arduous responsibility of the government portfolios, with whispers of speculated guesses for such Ministries as Finance, Education and Health.

An incredible shot of our choir, standing behind the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley during the first swearing-in ceremony at Queen's Hall on Wednesday 9 September 2015.

Not surprisingly to many, Bishop Anstey High was once again thrusted into the spotlight, with not one, but TWO members of our distinguished Alumnae receiving the nod from the Prime Minister, Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley, to undertake responsibilities that would ultimately shape the socio-economic dynamic of Trinidad & Tobago over the next 5 years. Our citizens, and more specifically, our current students at Bishop Anstey High School, can now look to our very own Parliament for strong, hard-working female leaders who will most certainly become game-changers in Trinidad & Tobago.

Without further ado, here are your Hilarians in Cabinet!

Minister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, MP.

Fondly described as ' the quintessential Afro-Caribbean woman' by her peers, Lady Vice Chairman of the People's National Movement, Mrs. Camille Robinson-Regis is an attorney-at-law who has played an active role in the political landscape of Trinidad & Tobago since joining the PNM at age 17.

Mrs. Robinson-Regis attended Bishop Anstey High School and later the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and Cave Hill, where she undertook a Bachelor of Law degree and subsequently the Legal Education Certificate at the University of West Indies - Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica. She was admitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar in 1985. For several years she was the Corporate Secretary of the National Flour Mills, YTEPP and also establishes a successful private practice.

In 1992 she became the youngest Senator to be appointed to the Cabinet of Trinidad & Tobago and between 1992 and 1994 served as Minister of Information. From 1994-1995 she held the position of Minister of Consumer Affairs and Minister in the Ministry of Planning and Development, responsible for the environment. Victorious in her first election campaign in 1995 to represent what was then the Arouca South constituency, she became an Opposition Member between 1995-2001. Re-elected in 2001, through her aggressive and high quality representation she was instrumental in building the Arouca South (now Arouca/Maloney) seat into a PNM stronghold which is maintained up until today.

She became Minister of Legal Affairs 2001-2003 and subsequently became the first woman to serve as a Minister of Planning and Development. Under her stewardship the signature Vision 2020 Operational Plan was completed, having been developed by a multi-disciplinary team of representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia.

A stellar career as a diplomat began in 2007 when he took up the post of High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Canada, a position she held until 2010. On her return to Trinidad and Tobago she undertook several sittings as a temporary Senator between 2012 and 2013 before her appointment as a full time Opposition Senator and Leader of Opposition Business. A front-line speaker for the PNM bench whether in government or opposition, Mrs Robinson-Regis in her debates has brought both heat and light to the Parliament.

This wife and mother of 3 daughters, has raised an adult daughter who is an Attorney -at- Law and is now raising 8 year old twins who attend primary school. A Charter Member of the San Juan Lions Club and a Member at Large of the Family Planning Association, Camille Robinson-Regis has served as the Vice-Chairman of the PNM, Chairman of the Party's Rules and Regulations Committee, and as a member of the Investigations Committee, now serving as the Lady Vice-Chairman, she also serves as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee. 

Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, MP.

Cherrie Ann Crichlow-Cockburn is a versatile Human Resources Executive with more than 25 years comprehensive and wide-ranging experience in a social insurance environment. Her experience includes industrial and employee relations, human resource development, change management and conflict resolution.
She is a proactive leader who adapts easily to change and considers it important to spend quality time with employees to encourage learning and foster organisational loyalty and a positive team spirit. Ms Crichlow-Cockburn has pledged to bring these sterling qualities to her representation of the people of Lopinot/Bon Air West and service of the public.

A resident of Five Rivers, Arouca, Ms Crichlow-Cockburn attended the Tunapuna EC Primary School and subsequently, Bishop Anstey High School. She continued her education at the tertiary level, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (1982) and five years later, a Diploma in Industrial Relations from the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies.
In 1993 she earned a Certificate in Behavioral Psychology from the UWI School of Continuing Studies. She also received Certificates in business related disciplines from the Columbia University and Arthur Lok Jack Graduate Schools of Business.

Minister Crichlow-Cockburn holds membership in HERMATT – Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago – and LERA – Labour and Employment Association (Illinois, USA).
Her special interests include youth development, leadership development, sport and culture.

Well done BAHS - and now, the work begins as a nation to move forward!

Hilarian Family in the Political Spotlight!

Newly elected Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and leader of the People's National Movement, Dr. Keith Rowley, is flanked by his Hilarian leading ladies, Sonel (left), Sharon and Tonya.
Photo credit: Lori Borde Photography.

Bishop Anstey High School has once again been catapulted into a leading role - this time, it's in Trinidad & Tobago's political landscape, and involves one of the highest government offices in the land!

For those of you who have been unaware, the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago recently hosted a hotly contended General Elections. Hundreds of thousands of voters flocked to their respective polling stations in constituencies throughout The Republic to have their say in government leadership for the next five years.

In the end, one party stood above the rest. And one political leader emerged victorious - who happens to have a very strong supporting cast of Hilarian Women at his side for this new career journey.

We present to you: Prime Minister-Elect, Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley, and his beautiful family!

Born and raised in Tobago, Dr. Rowley completed his secondary schooling at Bishop's High School, (BHS) in the sister isle and his sterling academic performance saw him capture the prestigious Sylvan Bowles Scholarship at Bishop’s High School. He then commenced his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, from where he graduated with a BSc. Geology (First Class Honours), Geography (First Class Honours); MSc in Volcanic Stratigraphy, UWI, St. Augustine. He is a Volcanologist who obtained his Doctorate in Geology, specialising in Geochemistry.
Dr. Rowley switched gears to the arena of politics in 1986. He is a known nature lover, who enjoys gardening, hiking and is an avid golfer.

Here's the Hilarian Connection!
 
Dr. Rowley has been married to attorney-at-law Sharon Rowley for 30 years. Mrs. Rowley specializes in real-estate law and very active on the legal reform front, as it relates to conveyancing and commercial agreements.

Dr. and Mrs. Rowley at a PNM political rally in September 2015.

Their first daughter, Tonya Rowley-Cuffy, is also an attorney-at-law, having studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science for her Masters of Law. Currently, she specializes in Corporate and Commercial Law.

Prime Minister-Elect Dr Keith Rowley poses with his wife, Sharon and daughter Tonya after Tonya was called to the Bar in October 2009. To their right is the Sinanan family, including House Speaker Barry Sinanan (second from right), his wife Gail (right) and daughter Caroline (third from right). Photo credit: Trinidad Newsday.

The youngest of the Rowley family clan, Sonel, is currently a post graduate student. Sonel is pursuing her PhD in Education Psychology at Fordham University in New York.

It is worth nothing that both Sonel and Tonya have won national scholarships after completing major examinations at Bishop Anstey High, while being heavily involved in football (as captains of the school's team) and track and field during their high school years. The daughters are also both artists, having displayed an art exhibition in the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago in 2013.

Dr. Rowley will be sworn in as the 7th Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday 9th September 2015 at Queen's Hall, St. Ann's, from 1:30pm.

In her powerful speech addressing attendees at the PNM's Tobago Council Women's Forum earlier this year, Mrs. Rowley passionately stated that "(...) when women are empowered as political leaders, countries experience higher standards of living; positive development can be seen in education, infrastructure and health; and their participation positively affects communities, legislatures, and citizens' lives." 

Spoken like a true Hilarian, ready to lead the way. This is definitely a powerhouse family that has made the Hilarian community very proud.
Congratulations!