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.

Word spread quickly throughout the Bishop Anstey High School Alumnae Society, as Mrs. Mark - dubbed the Caribbean Queen of Tennis - had become quite the staple on the Physical Education front at our school on Chancery Lane.

Mrs. Ria Mark (born Chong Ashing)

Born Ria Chong Ashing, the fun-loving and sport-inclined young female actually started off playing cricket, which could not possibly be a surprise to many, if you ever bore witness to her hitting bowls for 6 during her interactive P.E. periods with her students in the fields at school! She was also 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. 

The rest, as they say, is history - or in her case, her-story.

Mrs. Mark was inducted into the Trinidad & Tobago Sports Hall of Fame for her achievements in tennis in 1987, which is now overseen by the First Citizens Sports Foundation. This accolade was not a surprise to many at the time, because despite her tiny frame, she dominated the courts and was well-known as a formidable opponent to her tennis peers and admirers both on and off the court. From the Pan Am Games to the 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.

A young Ria Chong Ashing (top left corner) stars in the press in the Carib Sport Diary in the 1960's.

One person that certainly admired her spirit of competitiveness and giving was Ken Mark (dec.), her husband and partner in the world of coaching, who also possessed a lengthy and illustrious career in Trinidad & Tobago tennis. This tennis sporting gene seemed to be dominant in the Mark's family DNA, because their son, Christopher, also took up the mantle of tennis - often a member of winners' circles in his respective national classes as a Trinidad & Tobago Junior Champion.

Ken & Ria Mark. Photo credit: Trinidad Guardian.

But on numerous occasions, Mrs. Mark moved beyond the realm of her beloved tennis: she became a champion for sporting activities on the whole at Bishop Anstey High School. Her appointment as an Honorary Hilarian by the Old Hilarian's Association in 2012 was a long time coming, and well deserved. She was an incredible anchor of influence and passion to several BAHS students who were often challenged with the responsibility of balancing scholastic requirements with sports training on a national level. 

One such sportswoman was Wanda Hutson-Woods. 

Wanda (centre), competing in the relays for ACU.

Mrs. Hutson-Woods went on to Southern Union State Community College in Auburn, Alabama, then Abilene Christian University. She graduated from the latter in 2010 - the same year that she was named a two-time NCAA Division II All American for the ACU Wildcats in 2010.

"I am truly saddened to hear about Mrs. Mark's passing. She was such a strong and hard-working individual while I was at BAHS," the two-time Olympic athlete for Trinidad and Tobago (2004 & 2008) lamented earlier this week.

In her trip down memory lane, Wanda intimated that Mrs. Mark played an integral role in both her athletic and academic career while at Bishop Anstey High. "She would constantly check to see how I was doing in my classes, since my transition (from another school) was in the middle of the academic year. It was a big adjustment phase for me, but she stood by me."

The name Charisse Bacchus rarely needs any introduction in the regional sporting world, but if your memory needs jogging, the phrase "CIES FIFA Master Alumna" should do the trick. 

Ms. Bacchus is a Hilarian who is a Sports Management, Law and Humanities buff, and is now the Comparative and International Society (CIES) Coordinator for Trinidad & Tobago. CIES is a prestigious global scholarly association dedicated to understanding the educational issues, trends and policies of sport, through cross-cultural and global perspectives.
Charisse has been a member of the University of Kansas athletics team, NCAA All American squad in 2005 and 2006, Trinidad and Tobago National Athletics Team, All Big 12 Conference Honors, Student Athlete Advisory Committee as well as the Board of the Trinidad and Tobago National Athletics Association, just to name a few. "Decorated athlete" would be an understatement, and it all began at Bishop Anstey High - where Mrs. Mark was a phenomenal Physical Education Instructor.

Charisse Bacchus.

She has vivid memories of Mrs. Mark in the young Bacchus' formative years at BAHS.

"Mrs. Mark was a very special woman; her willingness to lend support always stood out to me. She was always involved in any endeavour the BAHS Track & Field Team took on, from a bake sale to international competition. And we were so, so grateful to her for that."


Charisse reminisces on her fondest memory of Mrs. Mark: when she traveled with the Track & Field team for the Florida Gator Relays, as the team's chaperone. "She was so much fun and full of life. She kept our spirits very high," she says.

Charisse Bacchus, competing as a member of the Kansas University Team.

These testaments are a short snippet, but striking indicator of Mrs. Mark's commitment to the youth of Trinidad and Tobago. Generations young and seasoned were and continue to be inspired by her story - including her accomplishment of winning the National Championship Title on a record ten occasions between 1962-1978.

For those who knew her, Mrs. Mark was a tenacious, fierce, knowledgable, encouraging, loving and nurturing spirit that made it her honorary Hilarian duty to ensure that her students achieved a balance between their academic and sporting activities. It was this superimposed need for equilibrium that shaped some of the brightest and best sporting stars that decorate our national landscape, many of whom have passed through the walls of Bishop Anstey High under her discerning, watchful eye.

Mrs. Mark played the best with the boys in her field, and never accepted shying away from her male counterparts as an option, even at a tender age. Her determination to see others succeed after her own trailblazing path was as forceful and relentless as her famous backhand drive. For this, we are sure that her children, Christopher and Karla, as well as the throngs of young and hopeful minds in local sport are forever indebted.

Producing champions on and off the court was Mrs. Mark's legacy, and that was her special, yet classic, Hilarian Way.

From generations of BAHS women women of worth to you, Mrs. Mark: Thank You, and well played.

Bishop Anstey High School Yearbook: Coming Soon!

Are you a Hilarian business owner seeking advertising opportunities? Then this blogpost will be of great interest to you, because a yearbook is finally in the works, thanks to our diligent and enterprising graduating students!

Advertise with Bishop Anstey High School's Yearbook!

Aptly called “A Journey to Excellence”, the school is now accepting applications for advertisers for the first edition of the yearbook, which will be released in November 2015!

To be featured: Former Principal of Bishop Anstey High School, Ms. Patsy-Ann Rudder.

The commemorative publication will not only celebrate the academic and extra-curricular achievements of the recently graduated Form V and Upper VI students, but will also  but also celebrates the tenure of Bishop Anstey High School's newly-retired Principal, Ms. Patsy-Ann Rudder.

Other very interesting features and are expected in the dynamic publication, but our lips are sealed - you'll have to get it to see it all!



One secret that was let out: the yearbook includes slots for advertising opportunities, and a special call is going out to businesses, especially those with a Hilarian connection. 

The yearbook is an excellent opportunity to introduce and showcase your business products and/or services to consumers, and will be available at the school soon.


For more details on this opportunity, please contact Ms. Adams via email, at winadams@hotmail.com. 

We will certainly keep the Hilarian Community posted on the purchasing availability of the yearbook, and would like to take this opportunity to say WELL DONE to our recently-graduated students of Form V and Upper VI. Your hard work and determination continues to set the bar of excellence very high, in true Hilarian spirit!

Some of the Upper VI Graduating Class of 2015 with members of staff, at their Valedictory Service.

Hillarie Highlight: "Hunte" transforms to the "HUNTED"!

Danielle Jones-Hunte.

A brilliant Communications and Marketing professional.
A lecturer.
A stunning beauty queen and former model.

Now, this well-known Hilarian can add "fashion designer" to her already impressive résumé!

Danielle Jones-Hunte

Of her motivation to venture into this new business arena, Jones-Hunte intimated that the vision had been on her mind for quite some time. She was inspired by a recent getaway with her husband to Rajasthan, where she witnessed explosions of colour, mixing prints, fabrics and trims.

When the Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe 2004 visited Jaipur and Udaipur, Danielle instantly reminisced on her visits to our very own capital city of Port of Spain, where she would venture to various fabric shops-- but this time, her modern-day adventures involved a unique, bold and hand-printed twist.

Also fascinated by Cuban Culture, the movement and evolution of the Msaai tribes of Kenya/Tanzania and, most recently, by the colours and fabrics of India, Danielle gained and understanding of the cultural connections possible through fabric, detailing and, of course, colour. Danielle was armed with a clear vision for designs, and knew that the time to delve into the world of fashion had arrived.

Jones-Hunte sprung into action, with her supportive husband as her muse. "Those first shirts (produced for him) were all really, really bright," says Jones-Hunte who admits to having to marry her own design inspirations with what would work on the local market. "Now, the line features a mix of very bold prints with a few more simple designs with slim and fuller cuts. I'm fed up going to events where women all look unique and sexy and men look like they all shopped for the same shirts in the same two stores." This is why she started with men's fashion - she wanted men to have more locally-designed choices.

Danielle's debut "R" collection features 42 uniquely designed shirts of which no two are alike and two shirt designs that feature two per size. 

Women had always been on her merchandising radar, and who doesn't love a good handbag for every occasion? She had all of her bags - from tiny showpieces to large carryall styles - constructed in a community that inspired her - the Dharavi slum in Mumbai. "A million people live in the one square mile area of Mumbai.

"They are the hardest working people I have ever seen - and all so proud," said the Hunted designer. "The area is famous for its leather work and the craftsmen are extremely creative," said Jones-Hunte. "My line started there and I wanted to give back, she said "every dollar I spent (there) funds employment and provides hope for the community. In line with her commitment to contribute, a percentage of every Hunted purchase made at the launch will be donated to the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society and the Couva Children's Home - where children from abused homes/ homes facing court cases etc. find rest and support.

Hunted can be found at fashion boutiques in Trinidad and Tobago including Anya Ayong Chee's Exhibit A boutique, #6 Scott St. St. Clair. For more information email info@huntedfashion.com.

If you're a modern urban dweller who appreciates culture and has an affinity for looking hot without feeling overheated, then Hunted is for you! Light fabrics, clean lines, delicate details and colour define the collection which includes handworked cotton, intricate details and is accompanied by her signature leather handbag collection is perfect for the Hilarian woman on the go.

Beauty Queens of the Universe: Danielle Jones-Hunte (left) with former Miss T&T Universe Finalist, Soleil Paterson.

Congratulations, Danielle!

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!