Newsletter  Pg 2

I found myself humming the descant, amazed that I remembered so much of it. It occurred to me that it would amaze many of my co-workers and associates who did not attend BHS, if they were to recognize the extent of our knowledge of various forms of music. This brought me to reflect on how Edith Pieters impacted on my life as a student.

Music was one of my favourite subjects at school. It helped that I had some formal training in piano before, and my grades were consistently favorable. However, the music education at BHS proved to be so much more than theory and practical piano, and it was to Edith Pieters' credit that I gained this vast and varied experience.

Through her, BHS was constantly in the news as the unbeatable choir champions at the annual Music Festival. Our performances at the school's annual Christmas concert which included the rendition of Benjamin Britten's Festival of Carols, almost always made the news. We were filled with pride when we hear our rendition of Guyana' National Songs or a medley o "Stupid Carrie Sly Mongoos, and Lillie Gal on the airwaves.

Because of Edith Pieters, I can identify Mozart's Eine Kline Nachtmusik, and am proud to be able to reco nize it when a ringing cell phone beats out a few bars of a movement My scope of appreciation for a types of music has been widened and I have been inspired to attend ballet or go to the theatre.

I remember when we travele around the country as a choi singing "La Paloma" an "Campanitas de Cristal", and "Didn my Lord deliver Daniel". We drove around at Christmastime singing carols to the elderly at the Senior Citizen centers (old folks' homes).

I am grateful to have studied wit Edith Pieters. I felt that she ha faith in me, although I quit her clarinet class rather than be part of a duet and face a huge audience at one our many concerts. I even forgave her for yelling at me once for day- dreaming when I should have been singing with our group. I will alwa remember her as the only teach who offered to help me find a ji after I graduated from school.

May her soul rest in peace.

"Celebrating the Legacy of Bishops' High School"

Washington DC in mid August was the place to be if you ever attended the Bishops' High School in Guyana. It was the occasion of the 8th International Reunion. Over 600 past students of the school gathered at the Marriott Wardman Hotel for four days of meeting, greeting and celebrating the "Legacy of BHS". It was a time to be with the people who knew you "back then". It was a time to shed the labels, titles and responsibilities of our current lives, and indulge the memories of teenage years, to revel in the shapes and sizes we have grown or not grown into. It was a time to catch up and reconnect with classmates who are all over the world. One effect of the BHS system of keeping the same class together, throughout the seven years of attendance is the strong bonds of friendship that developed. Vivid memories return as you recognize faces, and for the reunion days you can allow yourself to reminisce about carefree teenage years. Back then we just didn't appreciate how carefree life was, but today, we can look back and be thankful for the "Legacy of BHS".

Reunion Luncheon:

At the reunion Luncheon, our keynote speaker was Mrs. Cheryl Martin Miles, Guyana's Ambassador to Brazil and alumna of BHS. In her speech, Miles challenged us to reflect on whether we as alumni, were doing enough to ensure that the Legacy of Bishops' "will not only continue, but will spread within the context of Guyana's existence in an increasingly globalized world..." She suggested that the overseas alumni groups establish a "Foundation" - a step that could "open the way to the garnering of a sufficiency of funds, both for the upkeep and maintenance of our beloved high school, as well as the provision of structured assistance to selected elements of the wider community in Guyana."

She reminded us that our collective intellect, accumulated experiences and skills represent a "Think Tank" or "Advisory Group", that has the potential to give much needed help and guidance to the students of BHS and young people of Guyana.

Miles enlightened us about the new direction Guyana, as a country, was taking in forging alliances with our South American neighbors.

Guyana is a member of several South American Groupings. We are rapidly developing "Bilateral relations" with Brazil, resulting in an increase in trade between the two countries. Guyana sees itself as a gateway between the Caribbean and South America. In the face of World Global economics, Guyana has formed links through the roads and bridges to Brazil in the south, with extensions in the west to Venezuela and Suriname in the east.

Guyana has to move from being the only English speaking country in South America, to learning Spanish and Portuguese in order to understand and speak to our neighbors, especially the border locations.

Miles suggested that BHS could play a historical role by ensuring that our students are well equipped to deal with the challenges and changes of the future Guyana. She suggested programs the BHS Alumni could participate in such as: Latin American studies at BHS, a pilot Language Training Center at BHS, as well as exchange programs between BHS and high schools in neighboring countries.

Miles ended her speech with a call for an "ideas bank" and the establishment of a "BHS Heritage Center - a living museum of achievement linking the past, future through the present".

Ambassador Miles received a standing ovation and as her classmate, I can attest to the fact that the ties that bind are truly strong. Though we haven't seen each other in decades, it was great to be able to hug her again and pick up where we left off. Through the wonders of the internet, we now keep in touch.