Class of ’69 reunites

Tears of joy flowed and hugs reigned in abundance when 15 of the girls, out of the class of 38, re-united with each other after so many years, on Sunday. The Holy Faith Convent reunion was held at past student Vilma McCollin-Theodore’s house in Chaguanas. The memorable event was co-ordinated by past students Ann Maturasingh-Seepersad and Jenny Lewis. Maturasingh-Seepersad is a former president of the Holy Faith Convent’s Past Pupil’s Association.

It all began when Lewis, who now works in the Bahamas, returned to Trinidad on vacation two weeks ago and called Maturasingh-Seepersad just to say “hello.”

The two met for lunch, and ended up diverting to visit another classmate, McCollin-Theodore, who was also in Trinidad on vacation from New York. When the trio met they had a ball recalling their schooldays and the many fun times they enjoyed. It was then, with reconnection fever running through Maturasingh-Seepersad’s veins, that the idea dawned on her to have a few 5Bs over for a get together and take a trip down memory lane.

Recalling the build-up to the reunion, Maturasingh-Seepersad said: “Jenny and I started planning. We drove through flood waters in some cases (Londenville, Caparo) trying to trace our classmates.

We drove from street to street in past neighbourhoods of classmates, trying to find someone who knew classmates.”

“I dived into the telephone directory, I called up relatives and neighbours and former classmates as well as past offices where they worked. I asked friends if any of them knew someone who knew a past student and so, through various links, we made contact with our classmates.

We left no stone unturned in our quest to reconnect, reunite and rekindle friendships,” she added.

On Sunday, some of the women who once indulged in childish pranks, held secrets, shared laughter, and comforted each other in troubled times, rekindled the bond once more. They sang the school’s song and even their winning calypso composition which was sung by Jean Warner at the school’s Carnival Calypso Competition 1969. Jean is FIFA Vice President Jack Warner’s sister.

“Why can’t we make this encounter one that could occur every few years; and why can’t we be there for each other as before, to give support, to be friend, counsellor, and sister once more,” Maturasingh-Seepersad told her classmates in a brief speech during a short programme.

Past student Shaharazad Khan-Dowlat described the union as “awesome.”

“It was worth the sacrifice in getting there for the reunion. It was a joyous and very touching moment for me,” Khan-Dowlat added.

Holy Faith Convent was described as a secondary school which had moulded the girls of 1969 into women of substance — sufficiently equipped to succeed in their respective endeavours and achieve the things set out to do. It also gave the girl’s strength to face life’s challenges and to overcome the struggles with which they were confronted with and to emerge victorious.

In the excitement of the reunion’s planning, Maturasingh-Seepersad came up with the idea of holding a grand 40th Anniversary Reunion, where, with long-term planning, it would provide an opportunity to reach out to the rest of the classmates who live abroad and persuade them to attend the gala function.

At the reunion tribute was paid to the alma mater and all those there who made the women’s tenure at Holy Faith Convent what it was and who contributed in whatever way, to making the women what they are today.