Top Ten Blog Posts of 2015!

There little more than a day left in 2015, which means it’s time to recap your favorite posts from this year! We didn’t try to make an assessment of what was “best” based on content, but simply by what was viewed and read most frequently. Here's a countdown of the top ten blog posts:

10. The Many Moods of Christmas: BAHS on the road to Wales in 2016

The BAHS Senior Choir presented the annual concert, “The Many Moods of Christmas”. Patronage contributed towards giving young Hilarians of the choir and steel ensemble an opportunity to be proud ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago, at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, next July.

9. Actress Karian Forde "Over the Moon" with excitement! 

Karian Forde played the lead role, "Rosa" in Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, a Proscenium Theatre Company Production, which was originally written in 1957. Completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Trinidad & Tobago with a major/minor in Acting/Dance, Ms. Forde seems comfortable and competent in her fast-track to creative arts success. 

8. Hilarian High Five: Keba Williams

In the ten years since Keba graduated from BAHS and migrated to Florida, she earned Bachelor degrees in Chemistry and Music, Cum Laude, became a regular R&B/Soul singer in Miami, established her own music production company, invested in her own recording studio. In 2015, Keba performed at The Tobago Jazz Experience and launched a women's empowerment seminar series, Women Untold. The series is geared towards celebrating young women from all cultures and backgrounds and helping them realize their full potential, just as Keba was able to overcome obstacles in her own trajectory. 


7. Cabinet's finest from Bishop Anstey High School

Not one, but TWO members of our distinguished Alumnae received 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. These Hilarians areMinister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis (left), and MP. Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, MP (right).

6. Hilarian History: SHIP - Sailing for 29 years

The need for intervention was recognized, in 1986, having witnessed girls in distress during assembly as well as in classes. The Problem: lack of food. For some, the problem was economic, while for others it was poor management of time. Girls were traveling to Bishop Anstey High School from distant places such as Sangre Grande, leaving home as early as 4.30 am, without breakfast. "That discovery gave rise to a breakfast programme at the school", says Mrs.Catherine Cumberbatch, who attended BAHS and taught Home Economics there for 24 years, from 1968 to 1992.

5. Hilarian Fashion Entrepreneurship: Timeka Harry presents Sade Roxborough

It's been said that there's one thing millennials are clamoring to own: their own business. The entrepreneurship trait is not lost on Timeka Harry, a Hilarian and co-owner of Sade Roxborough: a fashion house creating designs for the quintessential Caribbean woman who is stylish, confident and marches to her own tune. Outside of the fashion industry, Timeka currently teaches Family and Consumer Sciences (which includes teaching Food & Nutrition), at our alma mater.

4. Journey to authorship and reading advocacy: Khamini Leston

Khamini Leston weaves an endearing story about a little boy growing up in Brooklyn, whose curiosity was piqued by his grandfather's narration of his own childhood in Trinidad & Tobago. The mention of games such as 'rounders' and 'pitching marbles' evoke nostalgia for parents and are powerful learning moments for their children, as these games are becoming obsolete in today's playgrounds. The book, "Grandpa take me to T&T" earned Khamini an award from NALIS. Acknowledging that today's children are less encouraged to read for leisure, Khamini advocates reading as one way to encourage openness to new experiences, perspectives, and to pass on values.

3. Fashion Brand grows with a Hilarian at the helm

“BAHS encouraged me to appreciate individuality and creativity, to be independent; a go-getter”, says Jhodi Archer-Royer. Her brand, De Lujo Things TT currently specializes in handcrafted handbags, which are reflective of Jhodi’s aesthetic – her eye for color and prints. As a mom of 2, student, designer and businesswoman, Jhodi can relate to and design for the lifestyle of an active woman who likes to travel and wants to have a bag that fits every aspect of her life.

2. Remembering a Hilarian giant: Ria Mark

On October 20th 2015, the sporting fraternity was plunged into mourning when it was learned that the legendary tennis champion and sport educator, Ria Mark, passed away after a lengthy illness. She an excellent player of badminton, table tennis and field hockey, but one sport eventually won her love and admiration in the 1950's: lawn tennis. From the Pan Am Games to her Phillips Trophy win in the Bahamas in the 1970's, and having won every open tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, she became a stellar player with an impressive local and international record. Mrs. Mark was inducted into the Trinidad & Tobago Sports Hall of Fame for her achievements in tennis in 1987.


1. Hilarian Family in the Political Spotlight

Dr. Keith Rowley was elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on September 7th 2015. Here's the Hilarian connection: Dr. Rowley has been married to attorney-at-law, Hilarian Sharon Rowley for 30 years.Their daughters, Tonya Rowley-Cuffy and Sonel Rowley 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. Currently, Tonya specializes in Corporate and Commercial Law. Sonel is pursuing her PhD in Education Psychology at Fordham University in New York.

We will do our best to provide you with more wonderful content in 2016. Hopefully reading or rereading a few of these posts will jar your memory of the past year (it certainly did to us!) of what has happened, why it mattered, and how we go forward into the new year as engaged members of the Hilarian community. 
What else did you enjoy reading on our blog this year? What do you look forward to in 2016?

Journey to authorship and reading advocacy: Khamini Leston

Khamini Leston, author of "Grandpa Take Me to T&T"

“I would hate to think of what would have happened if I didn’t go to Bishops”, says Khamini Leston, award-winning author of the childrens' book, "Grandpa Take Me To T&T". She weaves an endearing story about a little boy growing up in Brooklyn, whose curiosity was piqued by his grandfather's narration of his own childhood in Trinidad & Tobago. The mention of games such as rounders and pitching marbles evoke nostalgia for parents and are powerful learning moments for their children, as these games are becoming obsolete in today's playgrounds. Rooted in patriotism, and admiration of his grandfather, Grandpa's little boy references his desire to experience cultural traditions such as 'bussing bamboo' for Divali and singing parang at Christmas time.

"Grandpa Take Me To T&T" was born of homesickness, as Khamini lived in New York for an extended period, and longed for her family. At the time, she worked as a caretaker of children. Inspired by their playful cheer and innocence, she wrote a poem about a little boy who wanted to go to Trinidad. After reciting it for the parents of her charges, Khamini realized the poem would make a great children’s book. Having re-discovered her passion for writing, Khamini affirmed, "By the time my child is born I want him to say, "my mother is a writer"...not for the status, but for the truth of it." In true Hilarian fashion, she followed through. Knowing very little about the publishing business, Khamini began her research. She found a book titled "How To Write A Children’s Book" and began taking the steps. Along the way, she had a baby and publishing the book became, to her, more overwhelmingly necessary.

Khamini poses with son, Joshua.

Khamini describes her journey to becoming a writer, poet and published author as "gathering a lot of life experience". She mentions, "When I first went to BAHS, I didn’t quite understand what was happening or what was required of me. It was like water rushing on a stone, it smoothed me out without breaking me.” While she valued formal education, and loved the learning opportunities school afforded her, post-secondary school, Khamini hadn't gone about professional development in the traditional way of immediately pursuing formal tertiary education. She instead found her own path of development towards the same destination.

Today, Khamini balances her career with her role as the mother of an inquisitive three year old boy, Joshua, for whom she reads nightly bedtime stories. Acknowledging that today's children are less encouraged to read for leisure, Khamini notes, " I want his [Joshua's] childhood to be full of new experiences, rather than having to wait until he gets older to then make those choices." Khamini hopes to give Joshua exposure to other ways of life, and reading is one way she chooses to encourage his openness to new experiences, different perspectives, and to pass on values. "What you do becomes the voice of your child’s conscience", she adds the caveat, "If you are active, it does. If you aren’t, you run the risk of someone else becoming the voice of your child’s conscience." 

Giving back: Khamini did an author reading and donated copies of her book to Diego Martin Government Primary School, where she attended as a child. 

"Grandpa Take Me To T&T" has performed well in paperback and e-book versions, has been featured in national newspapers, was shared online by television media houses, and in 2014 earned Khamini an award from NALIS. When asked, would you write another children's book? Khamini responds, "I have another book: a baby's book called "Mommy’s Musical Bangles"- when your mother uses her hands a lot, to a baby it's music, every movement is music." For now, Khamini wants to give "Grandpa" his time. She hopes to have "Grandpa" take his place on the booklists and bookshelves of pre-schools across Trinidad, as a primer for their Social Studies.

"This is a fun rhyming educational story about a little boy in Brooklyn whose desire is to go to his grandfather's home country. An excellent resource material for pre-school children." - NALIS 

In "Grandpa Take Me To T&T", Khamini has a remarkable way of seeing the world through a child's eyes and amplifying the T&T experience for the young reader. Her writing is very honest and almost childlike in exploring emotions of longing and excitement. For the adult reader, there is a comfort in Khamini's expression of the T&T experience, which feels very much like speaking to a friend who listens, empathizes and says "I understand". 

"Grandpa" is available online, at Newsstand (Piarco Airport), and at Nigel Khan's Bookstore in Piarco.