Some Achievements to Make Us Proud  -  2007

Ruseans have made, and are making, significant contribution in the development of our country and our world. This 2007 ROSA Mag acknowledges that many have done so quietly without fanfare or acknowledgement. Some have been named in this article. Many have not been. Our fellow alumni, and our successors, need to know of  them. Inform subsequent ROSA Mags of persons who earn the right to be mentioned. Let us treat as work in progress.

Contribution to Judiciary

Ruseans who have gravitated to law as a career have done us proud. In the 1990s our alumni comprised 6 (29%) of the 21 judges of the Supreme Court. The Justices were:
Mrs. Hazel Harris (Johnson), Seymour Radcliffe Panton, Wesley James, Maurice Reckord and Victor Malcolm and Courtenay Orr (both of blessed memory). Another Rusean to have served this Bench was Justice Ken Henry (the forerunner).
Hazel (Harris) also has the distinction of being the first woman to be Registrar of Supreme Court. Our “Rusea’s Ambassador” in Britain, John Perry, is also blazing
the trail with on impressive list of “firsts” on the Bench in Britain. Other alumni who have had successful careers in law include Harold Gayle and Donald Smith (of blessed memory).

Contribution to Public Service

Many alumni of our school have served our public sector with distinction. This group is headed by Alumnus Kenneth Hall. Others who have given distinguished service in this area include:
Uriel Salmon (as M.D. of Jamaica Public Service Co. Ltd), Carlton D. Levy (as PS in the Ministry of Public Utilities), Clarence Franklyn (as PS in the Ministry of Agriculture), Hicks M. Williams JP (as Post Master General), Hector Jones (as Commissioner of Customs), Cleveland (“Little Pexie”) Garrison (as Curator of the Zoo), and Harold James McLaughlin JP (as Commissioner of Inland Revenue Dept).

Contribution to Science and Technology

• Forensic DNA Science. Dr. Wayne McLaughlin, Fulbright Scholar (Head of Department: Basic Medical Science - UWI).
• Fibre Optic Technology. Errald (Pele) Miller.
• Meteorology: Sylvia (Mullings) McGill (Director of our Meteorological Office. First Woman to head this office. Also, the first in English speaking Caribbean. One of the first two Jamaican women to graduate as meteorologists).
• Geology: Neville McFarlane (The 1:12,500 Geology Map of Jamaica carries an inscription “Originally compiled by Neville McFarlane”. His work is still used daily).
  Others include: Basil Fernandez (M.D. of Water Resources Authority). We salute Carlton Leighton as being the first Rusean to do Geology at UWI. (It seems that Allan Eyre’s efforts in setting up the 6th form at Rusea’s was not wasted).
• Engineering: Hurdel Baker (Carib Engineering and NWC).

Contribution to Political Development

Rusea’s is a part of Hanover. Hanover has given our country two of its seven Prime Ministers. No wonder then that Rusea’s has produced some fine politicians.  This group is Lead by J.A.G. Smith (a former Member of the Legislative Council and early activist advocate for adult suffrage and independence).  Others include Mrs. Doreen Baker-Chen (a former M.P. in Trelawny), Mr. William Dickson (a former M.P. in Hanover), and Mr. John P. Atkins (a former Senator and leader.in the Trade Union movement and Consul General in Miami).

Contribution to Private Sector

Ruseans have also made their mark as leaders in the private sector at home and abroad. Pacesetters for us included:
Uriel Salmon (as Partner, Touche, Ross, Thorburn& Co.); Carlton Stephen (as MD of Gillette Caribbean Ltd); Denton Campbell (as Snr. V.P. at Montego Bay International
Airport); Lloyd Tomlinson (as Business Development Manager at SmithKline Beecham International); Maurice Roy Garrison (as MD of Daily News Ltd); Carl Stephenson (as Financial Controller of Issa Group of Companies); Claudette Crooks, Derrick Reckord. The overseas cadre include Glegg Watson, Paul Elliot.

Contribution to Entrepreneurship Development

We hail those from our alma mater who have chosen to“write their own book” as entrepreneurs. Among the trail blazers are: Percival Allwood Miller JP, Lloyd Tomlinson
(Farming, Construction etc); Maurice Garrison (Founder of Twin City Publishing Co. Ltd), Neville Jackson (Real Estate Developer) and Marvin Salabie (Farmer). The overseas cadre include: Marcia Rigg Baker (Miami), Donald Jackson (President of Geomatrix Inc. Geomatrix was named 1990 Small Business of the Year by Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce).

Contribution to Religion

Perhaps because of the close link between religion and the evolution of Rusea’s, many of our alumni have distinguished themselves as religious leaders. This group is headed by Rev. William. A. Murray (a past Anglican Bishop of Jamaica) and Rev. J. Oliver Daley (a past Moderator of the SYNOD of the United Church in Jamaica and Cayman Islands). Other prominent ones include: Rev. Dr. Alton Tulloch J.P. (the Administrative Officer in the Diocesan Office); Rev. Verna Cassells (Education in Mission Secretary for CANACOM); Rev. Dr. Patricia Johnson (Hospital Chaplain for National Chest Hospital and Sir John Golding Centre) and Jannel McDonald Small (as Missionary with Youth with a Mission who served in China, Senegal, Gambia, Switzerland, Cuba, Singapore, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Thailand).

Contribution to Media Development

The pace-setting role of Rusea’s in the early development of guidance counseling  left its mark on some Ruseans. Rev J. Oliver Daley has channeled his early  groundings into a well defined role as a Radio Family Counsellor (formerly at  Radio Jamaica and now at Love 101 FM). The leading role in the medium has most likely influenced Kerlene Brown who is making a name for herself as a newscaster

Contribution to JDF and JCF

Our location at Fort Charlotte could have influenced the Carreer choice of some Ruseans. The forerunner in this grouping is Mr. Franklin Ruddock (retired Assistant
Commissioner of Police). Other Ruseans in this category Who have given outstandind service include Mrs. Artice Brown-Getten (retired Superintendent of Police) and
Major Clive Davis (formerly of the Jamaica Defence Force).

Contribution to Medicine

Rusea’s in the 1930s did not offer Physis and Chemistry. To graduate from Rusea’s this period and become a Dental Surgeon to the Queen was not an ordinary achievement. Dr. Leo March did this and set the pace for Grantel Dundas (one of Jamaica’s leading Orthopaedic Surgons). Other Rusean Medical practionerswho are distinguishing themselves include: Renisford Beckford, Lloyd Quarrie, Keith Wedderburn, Charles Rockhead and Annette Crawford Sykes.

Contribution to Tourism

Rusea’s and Lucea have not yet achieved its true potential to benefit from their location on the north coast which hosts the tourist mecca in Jamaica. We applaud Pat Samuels’ pace-setting work as Regional Manager (Canada) for Jamaica Tourist Board. However, she is lonely on the list. ROSA Mag needs to know of others who are poised to take advantage of opportunities that will be triggered by the Point Development – including the Fiesta Hotel.

Contribution to Education

Produced many leaders in education – including heads of tertiary institutions and prominent high and all-age schools. Dr. Kenneth Hall (Principal of University of West
Indies – Mona Campus); Rev. William Murray (Principal of Church Teachers’ College). Kenneth Crooks (Headmaster of Happy Grove High School); Crosswell Taylor(Cornwall College); Ada (Grant) Mitchell (Green Island), Carmen Hall (Principal of Mt. Alvernia High), Anthony Marks (Brownsville All Age), Dr. Wayne McLaughlin (Lecturer – Chemistry at UWI). Also: Uriel Henry Salmon (Lecturer: UWI’s Department of Management Studies, Associate Lecturer, Norman Manley Law School).

Rusea’s Sporting History  -  2007

According to Desmond Dorman (1993 ROSA Mag) “Writing off the 216-year-old school in sports has been a hobby for many, until over the last few years when they
have been hit with several tons of bricks”. The words are still relevant. Read on ….!

Inter-Schools Track Competition

Rusea’s started to make its mark at Champs in 1958.

• The distinction of gaining our first point at Champs goes to Stedson Reid (of blessed memory). In 1958 he came 4th in the Mile.
• Frederick (Freddie) Leighton became the first (and only) Rusean to set a record at Champs. This was in 1960 when he won the Discus with a throw of 145’, 4.5” (43.94  metres) beating the record by 22.5” (0.5715 m). That year we gained 10 points with Freddie also finishing 2nd in the Shot Put and Frank (Charlie) Brown finishing 2nd in the 100 yards. Freddie is still the Rusean who gained points in most events at Champs. In addition to the record throw, his achievements read as follows: 1960: 2nd (3 points) in Shot Put; 1959: 4th (I point) in Discus; 1962: 3rd in Shot Put; 1963: 4th in Shot put. 2000 was another golden year for us. Damion Young lead our boys to a top 15 place with over 30 points. Damion was: 1st in 100 m and Long Jump (7.14 m). He finished 2nd in the 200 m. Mickhail Millet scored in Class III 100 m and 200 m.
• The girls also made their mark by taking home a silver medal. Jovanee Jarrett was another student that made Rusea’s proud. Points were scored in long jump and relays by the girls. Heartiest commendations must go to the Track and Field Coach, Dinsford Bailey who through much hard work and determination brought the teams to a level of recognition.
• A Canadian Olympian has been begotten by a Rusean. The ROSA-Canada Mag tells us that Elene (Witter’s (Davis) daughter, Erica, represented Canada at
  the Francophone Games (1997, 2001), Olympics (2000) and World Games (2001). By the way father Mervin got early groundings at Knockalva.
  Erica is further proof of the pedigree of the Rusean and Hanover gene stock.
• Merlene Joyce Ottey, born May 10, 1960 in Pondside, Hanover Attended Rusea’s in the 1970s.  Ottey affectionately known as the “Bronze Queen” has won more Olympic medals than any other athlete from the Western Hemisphere.  She was named Jamaican Sportswoman of the year 15 times between 1979
  and 1997, was appointed Ambassador at Large for Jamaica in 1993 and also received Order of the Nation and Order of Distinction for services in the field of sport. Ambassador Ottey is still competitive.

Football

Rusea’s is among the most successful schools in football in Jamaica. Over a 17 year period we were DaCosta Cup champion (7) times and played in the finals (4) other occasions. We won the Olivier Shield, symbol of school supremacy in Jamaica, (3) times. Also to date, we remain the only school to have won all (4) trophies (DaCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup, Olivier Shield and Nutrament Shield in one year (1985).

Below is Rusea’s record in schoolboy football
competitions:
1999 DaCosta Cup: Semi-Finals.
1998 DaCosta Cup: Second Round
1997 Did not play in competition
1996 Champion: Ben Francis Cup Champion
1995 Played in Finals
1994 Played in second round
1993 Champions: DaCosta Cup. Olivier Shield Shared.
1992 Champions: DaCosta Cup and Ben Francis Cup.
Olivier Shield shared.
1991 Played in the Final Round
1990 Champions: DaCosta Cup & Olivier Shield.
1989 Champions: DaCosta Cup & Ben Francis Cup Champion with Olivier Shield shared
1988 Played in Finals.
1987 Champions: DaCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup and Nutrament Shield Champion
1986 Played in Finals
1985 Champions: DaCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup, Nutrament Shield and Olivier Shield
1984 Champion: DaCosta Cup
1983 Played in Finals
Stewart won the DaCosta Cup’s MVP twice (1984, 1985), Gibbs in 1987, and Steele in 1990.
The list of others who contributed is long.
· Many became household names. This includes: Emerson Henry, Caple Donaldson, Anthony Dennis, Chris Gibbs, Donald Hewitt, Anthony “Bully” Williams, Roxroy
Jackson, Linton Stewart, Leroy Foster, Kenneth Gaynor, Michael Graham, St. Ryan Steele, Easton Smith, Mark Wilson, Aaron Lawrence.
· Eighteen (18) went on to represented Jamaica in football:
Errol Williams Junior
Kenneth Gaynor Senior
Linton Stewart Senior
Donald Hewitt Senior
Caple Donaldson Senior
Leroy Foster Junior, Senior
Anthony Dennis Senior
Michael Graham Junior, Senior
Christopher Gibbs Junior, Senior
Mark Wilson Junior, Senior
Steve Malcolm Junior, Senior
(Including World Cup: 1998)
Aaron Lawrence Junior, Senior
(Including World Cup: 1998)
Denton Samuels Junior
Phillip Wong Junior
Alme McFarlane Junior
Christopher Harris Junior, Senior
Mark Williams Junior
Ainsworth Kerr Junior, Senior
Accolades are due to those who guided us through this golden era:
· Rusean Colin Miller (of blessed memory) was the Principal in 1983 when we won our first championship. The naming of our sports ground as the Colin Miller Sports Complex represents a fitting testament. Rusean Emerson Henry trained the athletes to the high levels of competence.

Tennis

Jenneth (Cutie) Williams was perhaps the most accomplished. In singles and, in tandem with Norma Munro, in doubles she made her mark at the national level in juniors. Currently we are watching, with great expectancy, Winfried Weinbeer as his achievements on the courts gather momentum.

Netball

Since Elene Davis, Faye Smith, Faye Cunningham, Evadne Grant in their respective era elicited chants of “Green and Gold” around the courts. Then, Rusea’s was consistently among the top (3) in Western Jamaica. However, titles did not come easily or often because of the non-cooperation of:
· Mannings and Herbert Morrison in the west in the late 1960s.
· Dinthill who, at the national level in the mid-to late 1970s, thwarted the efforts of our Jackie Malcolm, Clare Hemmings, Cede FlaIl (?), Joyce Ruby et al. It was left to our juniors to emerge “Country Champions”. The 1962 Rusean Review tells us that “Our Junior team captained by young Faye Cunningham is well-balanced in all positions of the court. It took Alpha in the All-Island Finals to ... defeat us”.
By the way who was “Muscles”. The 1962 Rusean Review noted that “Country opponents found it hard to penetrate our powerful defence and our centre player nicknamed “Muscles” throughout the season moved around the court untiringly”.

Hockey

Hockey went into a slump at the departure of former Principal Eric Frater. It had a re-birth in the 1990s under Lois Yates.· In 1991, Rusea’s walloped seasoned  campaigners such as Kingston College and Jamaica College. Munro edged us. But Ruseans never says die. They returned the following year to romp home 2-0 over Munro in the final.

Co-curricular Activities of Rusea’s and Ruseans

Perhaps because of our groundings in the liberal arts and possibly because Rusea’s culture was that fun at school was to be found not only in books and on the sports field but also by participation in co-curricular activities. Another perhaps, is that a few of us early boarders think that it would stretch it a bit thin to include Musical Appreciation as fun. It would also not be fair to substitute “torture” for “fun”. However, an infusion of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller in the diet of Mozart et al would have made the seat of the chair feel less hard and the one and a half hours seem less like eternity.

Cadet

The Cadet Corp of Rusea’s was always a pride of the school. This was rewarded when we won the deCordova Shield in the 1950s. This was for being the most outstanding unit in the Army and the Air Cadet Force (AACF).

Hanover Festival of Arts

Remember them! The Gleaner (October 19, 1961) tells us that in 1961:

• Norma Cameron was 3rd in Dialect.
• Evadne Grant was 3rd in Speech (Girls: Class 3).
  The same source also noted that we gained 1st and 2nd in Class 1 in the Drawing and Arts section and also 1st for Plain Sewing in the Arts and Craft (Display)

Essay Competitions

• In 1959, Myrna Moran was a Medallion Winner in the National Essay Competition.
• In 1961, Shirley Williams’ (Form 5 Alpha) “A Bad Girl Turns Good” was a Prize-winning Essay in the Shankar International Competition.
• In 1961, Hyacinth Allen’s (Form 5 Alpha) “Buildings Old and New – Chester Castle, Hanover” won Gold.
  Incidentally this was the last year of competition. The Cup was never collected. It is one of Hyacinth’s prized possessions. Read Shirley’s and Hyacinth’s essays in the 1962 Rusean Review

Debating Society

According to Mr. Frater, he was proud that the school was the undisputed debating champion of the west. Seymour Panton, Donald Smith (of blessed memory) and Hazel Harris were stalwarts of this era. Lasting effect!  All three named became lawyers. Many others followed in their footsteps.

Nativity Plays at Fort Charlotte

Usually to mark end of Michaelmas Term. This might have aborted the singing career of …………...
The Un-named Rusean was selected to play one of the Three Wise Men. Snag 1: Each Wise Man had to sing a verse of “We Three Kings ...” Snag 2: As is the norm, rehearsal started with singing of the chorus - to set melody  etc.
Outcome 1: After the first rehearsal, “Phil” did not play a Wise Man. Outcome 2: “Phil” played Joseph. Joseph did not have to sing.

J.C.D.C’s Music Festival

This annual cultural showpiece of Jamaica produced by Jamaica Cultural Development Corporation (J.C.D.C.) has always attracted our alma mater.
· Silver Medalist Teachers. The fun at Rusea’s was not patented for students only. In 1999, there were eliminations, there was the Regional, then there came the Silver Medal.
Student Medalist. In 1999, the students could not allow the teachers to have all the fun.

All Together Sing

In 2007, the Rusea’s choir was the group that carried the School’s name to television audiences throughout the island. They.had featured prominently in 2006 and though favourites in the finals this year they were narrowly edged out by two other schools.  The supporting phone calls were not enough on option 6 to tip the scales in Rusea’s favour.

Fund Raising

• Getting our first Piano. Efforts of Miss Burke, Mrs. Louise Stair, and Mrs. Joan Stewart (Wife of Presbyterian Minister)
• Fund Raising by Geography Department: Visit to Eastern Caribbean on “Federal Maple” organised by Head of Department - Brian Breeze.

Open Day

The idea of an Open Day was mooted by past Headmaster. According to Miss Burke, for the first one, only (3) weeks were available for planning. They were enough. It
has evolved into a much anticipated annual event at which the school community, parents and community interact

Visits to Kingston for Cultural Events

To attend productions of Shakespeare and musical performances. Often left Lucea after school. Sometimes arrived back at home just in time for a short nap and a shower before rushing off to school. It was fun.

Marking End of Terms

· Term Ending Assembly at Fort Charlotte. Moonlight Picnic across Harbour: Some went by boat, others by car. Stranded: Outboard motor wouldn’t start. All cars had already left on the return journey.

Painting

Art was a gradable subject. We bring it up here to remember Ralph Campbell – the renowned artist who set up the Art Department at Rusea’s. Painting was fun. Joy (Hall) is still having fun. Carlton (Stephen) is having fun. Apparently, for both, the fun comes in spurts. Seriously, have you seen any of their work. They are good and worth seeing – and acquiring. They are good.

Poetry

What has become of our Poets of Yester-years!
What has become of our Poets? The 1962 Rusean Review“discovered” some of them. What a waste it has been if they did not continue to write. We hope that future ROSA MagComs ensures that we hear from them. Enjoy..!.

The Approaching Dawn: Jean Walker (Form 5A).
The morning comes,
The world grows still,
The nightingale sings her merry song,
The insects cease their croaking sound,
The roosters on their branch afar
Make known the now approaching dawn.
Yon moon still lends her golden glow,
The stars still show their silvery sparks
Across the way the angry billows
lash upon the shore;
The trees on yonder mountain
seem melancholy and lone.
Yet even now the approaching dawn
Comes slowly, slowly on.
Across the azure sky
Gray streaks of dawn have flashed;
Above yon dark horizon,
A luminous moon has crept
Lighting the eastern sky
With its golden rays.
O hark! O hark! O come and behold
 the new and beautiful morn.
The early dawn creeps slowly on
Ushering a glorious day.

Independence Chat: Sybil Madourie (Form 5A).
Lawd a massy,
Missis yo no si mi dey paint
Fi pull in yo mout.
Yo must wan me fi paint it
An meck yo clappas shet fi INDEPENDENCE.
Sey wa gal
Wah mek yo lie so.
Yo no ‘ear everybody
De chat se August six
A INDEPENDENCE?
Shet up yo mout gal,
Sey yo no rate INDEPENDENCE?
It seem like se yo a one a dem
Who wan we fi tun ‘DEPENDENT’
Instead of “INDEPENDENT.”
De odder day me go a pipe
Fe ketch mi pan a water,
Me ‘ear Mary Jane she sey,
She dey go build her owna tank
For Independence de near,
Me no tell no body sey,
Dem no fi si dong an wait,
But all me know sey,
Is dat me dey try me best,
For manna time no dey again.
Mi lovey, mi dovey, mi na quarrel,
Mi only a beg yo fi shif yo mout
Meck me paint mi house
For Independence de near,
Das all me ha fi beg.

Building the Rusean Brand through Music and Visual Arts

Music and Art as co-curricula activities have been important instruments in building the “Rusean Brand”.

Music:  School Choir

 Participation of the Rusea’s High School Choir at the Annual Music Festival held by Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has provided opportunities to showcase our talent.
The following summarises some of the achievements.
JCDC Annual Music Festival
· National Gold Medal awards
(Most Outstanding Category)
Spiritual Choir 1992-4, 1999, 2004
Gospel Choir 1992-5, 2000-2, 2004
Classical Choir 1994,
Popular Choir 1995, 1997
Gospel Ensemble 1992, 1995, 1999
Popular Ensemble 1993, 1996
Popular Song 2000-1, 2004, 2006
Creative Folk Song 1994
Patriotic Song 1997
Original Patriotic Song 1997, 2006
Gospel Soloist 1994
Classroom Instrumental 2002
Spiritual Teacher 1992-4, 1999, 2004
Popular Song Teacher 1993, 1996-7, 2000-1
Creative Folk Teacher 1994
Gospel Teacher 1994-5, 1999, 2000-2, 2004
Classical Teacher 1994
Popular Teacher 1995
Popular Song Teacher 1996
Original Patriotic Song Teacher 1997
· Parish
School in Music 2005-6
School in all Categories 2006
National Choir Competitions
· Television Jamaica (TVJ) Competition: 3rd in 2005 & 2006
· Bob Marley’s National Song Competition: 1st at regional level

The choir is in demand. Places at which it has performed over the years include:
· Civic Functions (Parish, Regionally and Nationally)
· Hotels (Christmas Shows)
· Banks (Customer’s Appreciation Day)
· Church Services and other functions
· Concerts (Sacred and Secular)

Achievements in Visual Art

· Achievements in Competition: 2nd Place in Hanover Division of the National Council on Drug Abuse Banner Competition (Mar., 05); Certificate for Design at the National Exhibition for Art and Craft in School Competition (May 23, 06).

• Certificate of Participation: Certificate of participation in the National Exhibition for Art and Craft in Schools Competition (Feb., 05) and Secondary Schools
  Art Competition put on by the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture (July 6, 06).
• Community Outreach: Donation of Art pieces for K.I.D.S. Charity Programmes put on by the Hilton Hotel (May 23, 06).
• “Do-it-Yourself” School Activities: Design and paint (7) murals on Aesthetic Block (Oct., 04-Jan., 05); Provide Decoration for school functions (04-7); Design
  and produce backdrop for Graduation Ceremony (Nov., 04); Number Blocks at Watson Taylor Campus (Oct., 06). The Department of Aesthetics deserves our strong commendation. The students, through their achievements, demand our strong support – including attendance at their performances.