The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

OLD scholars of the former Freeport High School, now The Bishop Michael Eldon High School, have planned a number of events to celebrate the institution’s 50th anniversary of education in Grand Bahama.

David Wallace, chairman of the Old Scholars Reunion Committee, said the Anglican institution first started in 1965 as Freeport High. He said the school’s name was changed in 1975 to Freeport Anglican High, and renamed Bishop Michael Eldon High School in 2005.

Mr Wallace said the old scholars reunion started four years ago, during the school’s anniversary talent show. “We raised $12,000 for the school and we want to raise $50,000 this year,” he said.

The 50th anniversary reunion celebration will kick off tomorrow, with a Steak Out and Pool Party at the school on East Sunrise Highway, from noon to 5pm.

“We are inviting old scholars and their family to join us; there will be a lot of fun activities, like hop scotch and backgammon,” Donna Jones said.

On April, 25, the group will honour 30 old scholars and families at a Grand Gospel Concert at the school’s auditorium at 6pm. The Cooling Waters Gospel Group and the Grand Bahama Youth Choir, the school’s choir and steel band will be performing.

Deborah Anderson Pratt said the concert will be held under the patronage of Archdeacon Harry Bain and his wife, Ann. “We will be honouring persons who would have passed through Freeport High and who are making great contributions on the island and The Bahamas.”

The old scholars will travel to New Providence on May 30 and 31 as part of the anniversary celebration with an official visit to Government House, followed by a church service at Christ Church Cathedral and a beach party.

On Friday, July 31, there will be an unveiling of plaques from all the graduating classes from 1965 to 2015 and a family wall tile for the families wishing to have their names printed in the auditorium. Later they will attend at cultural show at Port Lucaya.

The grand reunion banquet will be held on Saturday, August 1, where 13 people will be honoured, including School Principal Anita Doherty who has been at the school for 35 years. Bishop Laish Boyd and members of the diocese are expected to attend.

Old Scholars will attend a 9am service at the Church of the Ascension and a Warrior boat cruise from Port Lucaya at 6pm on August 2. The celebration ends on August 3, with a farewell Beach Party at Paradise Cove.

Mrs Doherty encouraged other old scholars to get involved and support the anniversary events, noting that they are educating current students about the important milestone. She also said the institution is striving to become the first eco-school in Grand Bahama. “The kids are working hard and know what it means to reduce, re-use and recycle. We hope by end of this year we would be flying our green flag, and it would be something that no other school in GB has done,” she said.