Friday, December 18, 2009

Louis Robinson (l.), the recently re-elected President of the Excelsior School Alumni Association of Ontario, has vowed to work in tandem with the other chapters to help restore Excelsior’s once stellar reputation for excellence.

The pledge comes in the wake of the recent election of officers at a special meeting to officially re-launch the Toronto chapter which had fallen into a prolonged period of dormancy. Louis, the long-time president, was re-elected, along with a new Executive Board to shepherd the organization’s affairs in the coming years.

“Our new officers are committed to continue the pursuit of the aims and objectives of the Association. These are primarily but not exclusively, to provide support and assistance to our alma mater as it strives to recapture the standard of excellence established by its esteemed founder Mr. Wesley A. Powell, in the areas of education and the personal growth and development of it students.”  He said in introducing his team.

                                      From left Allan "Bucka" Jones, Louis, "PZ" Robinson, Owen

                            Blakka Ellis and Charles "Carlos"  Chamber having  fun at the

                            the December 6, XLCR Alumni Brunch, Laaf & Nyam, in

                                     Mississauga, Ont., Canada.

Joining Louis on the new Executive Board is a team comprising: Hurbert Kumaasi Jackson - Vice President; Charles Chambers – Treasurer; and Cheryl June Blair – Secretary. The executive group is supported by the sub-committee heads and together they form the Association’s Managing Committee. The Sub-Committee Heads: Maxwell Wynter - Constitution and External Relations; Norman Nelson – Finance; Maxine Wright - Information Services; and Allan Jones - Sports and Entertainment

          (L-R)  Cheryl June Blair, Guest, Hurbert Kumaasi Jackson, Hyacinth Lindo and Mindell

                      Senior-Morris soaking in the atmosphere at the dazzling  Laaf & Nyam  brunch

                  held in Mississauga, Ont., to  officially relaunch the Toronto chapter.               

The resurgent Toronto chapter wasted little time in throwing off the cobwebs as it hosted a dazzling Laaf & Nyam brunch in the west Toronto-area suburb of Mississauga, Ont., to usher in the new era.  An overflow turn out of alumni, well wishers and friends witnessed a pleasant evening of mirth and mingling co-hosted by Owen Blakka Ellis and Allan Bucka Jones.

Entertainment Coordinator Bucka Jones promises more of the same as the chapter seeks to maintain the momentum by hosting a series of events throughout the year to restore the vibrancy for which it was once known.

After a long period of inactivity, the Excelsior School Alumni Association of Ontario is again showing renewed signs of life, thanks in part to the relentless effort of individuals such as Mindell Senior-Morris, Owen Blakka Ellis, Horace Stewart, Flavia Harriott and others, whose  unyielding determination over the years culminated in the revival of the third North American chapter.