TAYLOR Hall, considered to be the most popular student residence at The University of the West Indies (Mona), will commemorate its 70th anniversary with a week-long series of events from October 2 to 9.

Shaquel Benti, hall chairperson for Taylor Hall, who along with a number of his fellow Taylorites are spearheading the celebrations, said, “Taylor Hall has been one of the most participating and active halls on the university campus with a lot of movers and shakers. The university has been operating for 75 years and for 70 of those years, Taylor Hall has been by its side, supporting it for each integral event.”

He continued, “So when you think of the blocking of the campus in terms of students’ rights, that was cheered and led on by a former hall chairman of Taylor Hall and any key event, you usually see Taylor Hall members being a part of that. In addition to that, members of the University Guild student leaders tend to come from Taylor Hall. To say Taylor Hall has been a key part of The University of the West Indies, is to simplify it in essence.”

The celebrations will kick off on Sunday, October 2 with a church service and the annual Taylor Hall Olympics. On Monday, October 3, there will be a documentary screening which will showcase the beginnings of Taylor Hall and its history to the present. One of the hall’s staple events, a health fair, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4; while later in the night there will be a game night.

The Founders Day event is set for Wednesday, October 5 and will see the award-winning Taylor Hall chorale in performance. The day will culminate with the Tayorites Benefit Concert. A Ring Road Parade and float parade along with a commuters’ social will be the focus on Thursday, October 6, while on Friday it will be all about the Big Tree Lyme.

On Saturday, October 8, it’s the family fun day where past alumni and students will come together for a day of fun and frolic. The celebrations will climax on Sunday, October 9 with a prostate cancer outreach.

“The Prostate cancer outreach is actually a joint project with the Georgia Prostate Coalition Board. Our Student Services Development Manager Mr Hamilton is the one who really chaired this programme. We are not only targeting men, we will also implore their girlfriends to encourage these men and give them the awareness,” said Benti who recently completed an undergraduate degree in journalism and is now pursuing another undergraduate degree in sports business management.

Further, Faculty of Engineering Guild representative Gawayne Wright, who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering, says it’s an honour to be a Taylorite.

“Being a Taylorite really sparks something within you. It really pushes you to go for greatness. It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to be a Taylorite,” said Wright who will be assisting with the week-long celebrations.

Wright added, “My involvement will also include helping in really bringing these events to fruition. Another key objective of the celebrations is to ensure that there is a good succession plan for keeping that Taylor Hall culture.”

Among the famous names who have been Taylorites through the years are Krystal Tomlinson; Lisa Hanna; Olympians Hansle Parchment and Candice McLeod; Ralph Gonsalves, the current prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; and former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar.