This Site Was Last Updated on Sunday, 21 May 2006
Site Owner - Stephen Smith
When did you attend Priory?
1969-74 and 1977-82 ( A true Priory-ite)
Who was your most unforgettable teacher?
Several
favourites over many years! Mrs Parks early on, Mrs Gomes for making world
cultures come alive, Mrs Brown for getting me hooked on Geography- very
cool, Mr. Chavannes for inspiring me to be a well rounded athlete (swimming,
football, cricket, track, Volleyball), "Coach" Mike Henry for the free
burgers at his burger shop at Spanish Court after each football match, Jim
Roberts for helping me pass the SATs and US History class for college, and
MOST of all Mrs Gregory for demanding so much of me and believing in me
(despite my atrocious spelling). She inspired in me a love of creative
language and words which has served me well in my advertising career. I
cannot leave out Patrick Bourke who as Headmaster and Counsellor was an
extraordinary human being of enormous compassion and vision.
Mrs. Gregory Mr. Bourke
Who were your best friends at school?
WOW!? Richard Searle of course, Jeannie Manapol (my girlfriend through HS),
Michael "Stinky" Abrahams, Roberta Stoddart (a great Jamaican Artist and
Squash rival), Neil Andrade & Sean Bourke who introduced me and my brother
Julian to Surfing, Mark Ware, Melanie Chang, "DB" Donald Bennet, Abdullah
Gadau, "ballers" Nicky Henry and Johnny Mossolomon, Jimmy Joseph & Rod
Cook/Simms, long-time friends Rico Palomino, Mark & Neil Scott, Ailsa &
Alistair Smith, and so many other great friendships over the years!
Michael 'Stinky' Abrahams Roberta Stoddart
Who are you in touch with now?
Richard and I reconnected (thanks to the priory website) and had a wonderful time together in Sacramento last January - THANKS!! I stay in contact a couple times per year with most of my friends mentioned above ...yes, even my old girlfriend, Jeannie.
Nigel and Rich's Reunion
Who would you like to trace if we could?
Would like to locate / contact Rico Palomino, Roberta Stoddard (Trinidad), Melanie Chang (JA?), Mark Ware (Canada), Abdullah Gadau (Nigeria). Recently reconnected with Ailsa & Alistair Smith (Scotland) and "DB" Canada.
What's the wildest thing you ever did at Priory?
1. Allowed
myself to be dressed up and paraded around as a ballerina for "Slave
day"..why did I even mention that?
2. Showing up to class late and still with sandy feet and wet shorts after
another early morning surf session at Harbour view. (Ended up having a nice
chat with the Principal as Mr. Bourke knew Sean was out surfing too :-)
Who was the craziest person during your time at Priory?
David Gonzales for sure! Always
pulling outrageous pranks in class like when he put an open juice box carton
on top of a ceiling fan blade and timed it perfectly to spill over onto the
teacher's desk when she turned on the fan to start class after lunch break.
What a mess!
Where do you live and what do you do now?
After working in Ad Agencies in the Caribbean and the US for 10+ years I now
run my own Advertising and Marketing consultancy in San Diego, California
(and surf a lot too). I also enjoy cooking and am dabbling in the restaurant
biz with a mind to opening a Jamaican food joint in the future perhaps?
Tell us about any significant others
I just celebrated 15 years of marriage with my wife Lilia (who is from San
Diego and we met at UWI, Jamaica). We have 2 awesome kids both
"born-a-yard", Noah (12) and Cayla (10)who are honour roll students and real
kick in the pants nuff-fun-loving pickney! Lilia loves working for Yahoo!
and cruising on her motorbike. Noah digs science. Cayla rides bikes and
boards and goes camping with Dad. Dad is into Surfing, Squash and Yoga. And,
we ALL practice Martial Arts together and compete in Taekwondo. Watch out
for the Black Belt Benjamins!!
Nigel & Lilia
What do you think of the Priory site?
The site is fantastic and SO very much appreciated! Priory fostered a unique
environment for learning and making friends with families from all over the
world! The downside is that it has been very difficult to find and stay in
touch with friends who came and went. Your effort to provide a resource to
re-connect and to stimulate memories of good times through our shared
experiences is most appreciated! ( More pics and yearbooks from the early
80s would be great!) Cheers! Nigel
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© Stephen Smith 2005