Reflections on my journey through the Boys’ Grammar School – CHAPTER SEVEN – MY PEERS (part 2)

Tue, May 22. 2012

by OSWALD FEREIRA
madungo@shaw.ca

My peers were very successful. Unlike the norm when only a few Sixth Form graduates went on to study at university, over 90% of my graduating class went on to university, studying in a variety of fields. Many of us chose to ply our trades overseas and are spread out across the globe. Some, like myself, returned to SVG and worked for a while but left in frustration and are now exiled abroad.{{more}} Others returned to SVG and stayed, making yeoman contribution.

At the risk of forgetting (and possibly offending) someone, I will now try to remember the names of the original Form One. We were called by our last names so there are a few whose first names have eluded me after the passage of so many years. I am sure someone will send me an e-mail with my errors. As I remember there were: Curtis “Boza” (Quashie) (who went by Alexander I suspect, so that he could be first alphabetically), Earl Anderson, Andre Babb, Wesley Baynes (who left after a few months to attend school in Barbados), Carl Brown, Mike Brown, Canute Campbell, Earle Campbell, “Bung” Cato, Shelley Clark, Lyder Conliffe, Junior Coombs, Kenny Cordice, Tyrone Crichton, Allan Cummings, Hugh Errey Daisley, H. L. Verne DaSilva, Bert Davy, Ken DeBique, Patrick Diaz, Hugh Dougan, Geoffrey English, Monty Eustace, Oswald Fereira (myself), Lindsay Frank, Baldwin Hercules, Andre Iton, Frank Jack, St. Aubin Jackson, Eddison John, Ewan Lewis, Anselm Marshall, Larry McConnie (who also left before the end of First Form), Geoffrey Providence, Alson Robertson, Victor Robertson, Leontius Robinson, Anatole Scott, Clayton Soleyn, a Tannis from Bequia, Ken Veira, Winfield Williams, Joel Woods, and Vincent “Vinny” Young.

Then, as we progressed through school, some boys dropped out or moved elsewhere and we had new students join us – these I am having more difficulty remembering but as I recall there were: The younger Andalcio boy, Orland “Speedy” Anthony, Morrison Baisden, Ken Barrington, Gideon Bullock, Franklin Constance, Emil Cox, Oswald Davis, a Forbes from Dixon, Leroy Ellis, Kenneth Forde, Lennox Fraser, a Garraway, Desmond Hadley, Carl Hazel, Cordell Jackson, Owen Jackson, Malcolm James, Arthur Marshall, Francis Mulrain, Russell Quashie, Mac Richards, Don Rojas, Christopher Sandy, Tony Sardine, Allan Sherman, Terry Sprott, Ulpian Toney, Harvey Williams – and two sons of the Judge from Dominica whose names I cannot remember – those whom I have forgotten, send me an e-mail.

My Sixth Form Geography sisters from the GHS: Vera Brereton, Candace DeShong, Rowena Greaves, Selma Hadaway, Patsy Hadley, Bernice Hypolite, Dolly Lindsay, Gloria Nanton, Deanna Taylor, Joy Williams – and Karen Lockhart and Jeanette Williams who were my Chemistry and/or Botany mates.

Over the years I have lost touch with almost all of you. Some have passed on to the great beyond, even at a young age, others are coping with the aches, pains, illness and other misfortunes that come with advancing years; some are preparing for retirement; and I am sure that others will continue their careers for many more years to come. To one and all, thanks for the memories, and if you should read this series and have the inclination to get in touch, to remind me of some memorable incident that now eludes me, you can reach me by e-mail at potogeeboy@hotmail.ca, I would love to hear from you!

Please remember that this has been a recap of my experience, my point of view. Some BGS alumni may agree with me, others may differ. Please feel free to respond in any way you wish; a healthy debate is refreshing. My thanks to SEARCHLIGHT for granting me space to relate my experiences. You may see more articles as I reminisce on life as I experienced it in SVG and compare it to the present.