Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer WHILE THE rest of the city partied at the tsunami relief concert or jumped to soca beat and Heiniken Startime fun, on Saturday March 6, a large gathering of Campionites converged on the Knutsford Court Hotel to add six more of their distinguished alumni to the already burgeoning hall of fame.
The celebration began at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails and a chance to place early bids in the silent auction, as well as go down memory lane through photo albums, and purchase a wide range of school merchandise.
Dr. Howard Cooke, a noted dental surgeon from class of '84; Dr. Natalie Dickson, an oncologist and member of the class of '84; Joseph 'Joey' Issa, former hotelier and businessman, from the class of '82; Christopher Issa, businessman from the class of '73; Peter Espeut, teacher, musician and environmental activist of the class of '68; and Wayne Burrowes, businessman of the class of '83, were the latest hall of fame inductees.
GREAT PERFORMANCE
In his report, school principal, Mr. Radley Reid boasted of Campion College's continued academic excellence and its positive changing fortunes in sports. With 1,450 students on roll and close to 80 members of the teaching staff, the school has a state-of-the-art computer lab with Internet access and the addition of wireless network courtesy of past student Gregory Mullen.
Mr. Reid said of the 15 subjects sat at CXC last year, there was a 90 per cent pass for 15 and five subjects had 100 per cent passes. For Mathematics, 190 of the 194 who sat, received distinctions and for English Language, there were 144 distinctions of the 194 who sat. For Information Technology, Campion College students racked up 104 distinctions of 106 who sat the exam. "Nine per cent of all grade ones in the Caribbean, came from Campion.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Guest speaker Peter Espeut was aided by a high-tech presentations of photographs and graphics as he took the audience in what, for some, was a far too lengthy journey down memory lane. He journeyed back to boyhood memories of school boy antics, retreat weekends, excellent teachers who transmitted solid values, some very influential Jesuit priests and the values that have shaped his life. He even sang a verse from the original school song.
In thanking his alma mater for the honour, Joey Issa head of the Cool Group of Companies said, "You have made us what we are today and I thank my family, friends, teachers and others for the roles they have played in my life."
