Newsletter  

The Chapter continues to do well, but there is still lots of room for improvement. There is a need to increase membership and attendance at meetings, to ensure the continued existence of a thriving Chapter. As in the past, we will continue to have presentations at meetings on various topics in an effort to make the meetings more informative and lively.

In addition to the usual fundraising activities for 2006, a Jazz afternoon is being planned with a focus on men. The objective is to recognize the men in our families and the community who continue to support us, while encouraging more of our male alumni to become members of the organization.

Our commitment to raising $15,000 over two years for the BHS Renovation Fund is presently a little over the half way mark. I would like to appeal to members to not only support the fundraising activities of the organization, but to use their own talents and resources to assist in reaching this goal. For example: a movie and popcorn night at your home; a wine and cheese evening, a bake sale or whatever you feel com¬fortable doing.

Thanks to those who have worked together for the success of events and those who have already launched individual fundraising projects. Let us keep in mind that we are not working for own personal gain or recognition, but to support our alma mater and whilst doing so, maintain that cama¬raderie.

The Executive Committee looks forward to another fun filled and exciting year and would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous 2006.

Yours truly,
Lorraine Phillipe

President

Reconnecting

Where did all the years go? This is the question I asked myself as I searched for a familiar face, a knowing swagger, or the sound of a voice from long ago. But alas, the hundreds of women parading through the hotel corridors of the Marriott Hotel appeared to be total strangers! At least three decades had passed since I had seen my friends, my classmates and the teachers who had contributed to the person I am today.

Before total panic and alienation overpowered me, I saw a face across the room that brought back memories, not only of my years at Bishops' High School, but also of my days in kindergarten and primary school in Kitty where I grew up. Suddenly the faces started to take shape. Despite the graying edges and the rounded bodies, I began to connect names, faces and places. Slowly the intervening years disappeared and I was carried back to the time when we shared each other's secrets, gossiped about teachers and entertained our hopes and aspirations for the future.

The night of the dinner dance stirred up the most overwhelming sentiments. Surveying the hundreds of beautiful, talented women and men who were products of Bishops' High School, I pondered the awesome potential of such a group, were we not scattered through several cities, countries and continents.

Getting reacquainted with some of my friends, catching up with the details of the past, made me realize how much I missed the interaction with a group of people who shared so many of my values, thinking and aspirations. Finally, we said our farewells, shared E-mails, phone numbers and made promises to keep in touch. I vowed at that moment to treasure these new memories and to keep the connections alive.