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Mount Alvernia alums' night of elegance

Published:Friday | August 12, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Marcia Harrison Titus (left) and Judith Clarke Falloon-Reid (right) enjoy a shoeless encounter with the dance floor.
Maureen Solomon (left) and Manju Khiatani Torres are caught on camera. - Contributed
From left: Carmen Allen Brown, Yvonne Dalley Wan, Merlene Beckford and Beena Bhagchandani Harjani are caught in a happy mood.
Past student Denise McFarlane Zollicoffer (left) presents principal Therisa Cherian with a scholarship award. - Contributed photos
A lovely group of past students (from left): Bev Chin Winstanley, Grace McLeod Thompson, Robertha Baugh Howell, Marie Hall Fray, Valerie West Smith, Yvonne Dalley Wan and Garnett Flash Chang pose for the camera.
Dawn Chin Jones (left), Mount Alvernia High School Alumni Association Orlando Chapter president, recognises the oldest graduate in attendance, Sadie Moore Hanif (Class of '59) from London, United Kingdom.
(From left) Marcia Zacca Berry, Rose Dawkins Miller and Arlene Nugent Cramer of the Class of '76 are spotted at the event.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Miami, Florida:

Labelled a night of elegance and flair, past students of Mount Alvernia High School, rocked central Florida two weekends ago at the inaugural reunion dinner and dance.

On Sunday morning, July 31 when central Florida chapter alumni president Dawn Chin-Jones did final count, some 365 guests, from as far as Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Venezuela, Barbados and various states in the United States had turned out for the weekend, aimed at rekindling the spirit of giving back to their alma mater.

The event attracted two of Jamaica's most outstanding women, Lorna Cunningham Davidson, an editor, communications specialist and translator for the United Nations in Nairobi, Africa, and Dr Evelyn O' Callaghan, first female Rhodes scholar from Jamaica, now professor at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus, Barbados.

Both women shared their experiences, agreeing that the school on the hill, overlooking the city of Montego Bay, called Alvernia had played a significant role in shaping their destiny.

Blessed with the sharp-witted Jackie Jarrett Nicholson as master of ceremonies, central Florida came alive with comedy and sweet memories, particularly when she reminded the group of the hilarious "Cordette is coming ... see how they're running ..." then she quipped "but dem always come las!". Cordette is one of the four houses at the Catholic school.

Entertained by A.J. Brown and his wife, Tamara Hartley Brown, the Hilton Hotel, Altamonte Spring ballroom exploded when the couple opened the dance floor to what was described as a frolicking fantastic performance.

Through the generosity of those who supported the event, the women of Mount Alvernia were able to offer three tuition assistance scholarships to deserving students, Nicole Nation, Sammoy Hibbert and Ovashia Matherson.

Principal Therisa Cherian and vice-principal, Nancy Young, accepted the scholarships on the students' behalf.

The gate prize, won by past student Grace Findlay-Campbell, was donated by Sandals Resorts International.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com