MONTEGO BAY, St James – The presentation of a cheque valued at $1.5 million for four scholarships to their alma mater was the highlight of a recent reunion by members of the Cornwall College Class of 1971. The scholarships are in memory of the late Brian Hewling, Leroy Johnson, Getachew Marsie-Hazen and Colin Frankson. They were among a cohort of students who started out at the all-boys’ school in 1966.

The $1.5-million cheque was handed over to Cornwall College Principal Michael Ellis during a recent service held at the school’s chapel as part of reunion activities.

“One of the things that we decided to do from early was to make a donation in the memory of four of our fallen brethren. So it is now our pleasure to donate a cheque valued at $1.5 million which we are asking to represent four scholarships for which the details will be worked out at a later date,” alumnus Donald Daley explained before the handing over of the symbolic cheque to Ellis.

“This donation from us is to be used for four scholarships in honour of those four brethren,” Daley emphasised.

Speaking on behalf of the school fraternity, Ellis expressed gratitude to the past students.

“I am also thankful for the scholarship and if we had the time I would give you all the reasons in the world why I am so thankful. I know that our young men who will become recipients of these scholarships will also be very grateful, their parents will also be very grateful, the school community will be even more grateful for this mammoth effort coming from your group,” said the school principal.

“And so on behalf of the board of management, the administration, members of staff, 115 of us — and that is inclusive of the academic administrative and ancillary members of staff; our nearly 1,400 boys, I would like to register my profound thanks to your group for your benevolence, your kind thoughts and generosity in extending this scholarship to our worthy students,” he added.

Ellis was also impressed with the church service and fellowship among the group of past students.

“I would not have given up this service for any other. That is how important this is to me as the principal for the institution,” he said.

“I am also thankful for the fellowship. This morning provided the occasion where friends, classmates of old, can come together and not only reminiscence but to celebrate and to fellowship with each other,” he added.

The August 20 church service was the final in a series of weekend events including a reunion lyme, dinner and dance at Cranbrook Estate, Trelawny the night before.

Established in 1896, Cornwall College is a public high school for boys. It is located on Orange Street in Montego Bay, St James.