Oct. 25, 2008 — From Oct. 10 to 13, 85 classmates from the St. Croix Central High School Class of 1986 as well as other invited friends met in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to celebrate their 22nd year class reunion. Terrence D. Joseph from Peter’s Rest, St. Croix, who was elected class president back in 1986, Richard Elizee of Humbug, St. Croix and Paul Stevens of Catherine’s Rest-Herman Hill, St. Croix, helped put the reunion together.
No success could be claimed without the groundwork performed over the last six months with the help of a robust fundraising committee made up: Paula Payne-Frederiksted, Celia Simmonds-Kennedy, Judith Ward Hall-Diamond Ruby, Jodie Donawa- Diamond Ruby, Lydell Parris-Shaw-Whim, Diane Ventura- Gallows Bay, and Marsha Sealy- Frederiksted Town.
Other high schools from St. Croix participated including St. Joseph High School, Seventh-day Adventist High School, and the Caribbean Christian Academy; the class reunion was thus named the “Golden Class of 1986."
The "Golden Class of 1986" was first entertained with an icebreaker at the Beach Watch Restaurant in Dania Beach, Florida, which boasts an awesome view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. As this mix and mingle started, name tags and introductions were in order as some of the classmates had not seen or heard from each other in over 20 years.
The second event was conducted in conjunction with the 13th Annual Virgin Islands Fest held at the Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah, Florida. on Oct. 11. People young and old came out to sample the wonderfully fresh “Island” cooked food and live entertainment featuring live acts from St. Kitts, Tobago, St. Thomas, Antigua, and more.
They rallied at the Golden Class of ’86 booth for massive networking and fellowshipping. Here ideas were thrown around in reference to the upcoming 25th anniversary to be held in 2011 on a week-long, multi-island cruise ship ride throughout the Caribbean.
The third scheduled event was the one and only Broward Caribbean Carnival held on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the 6th Annual Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill. Upwards of 11,000 people showed up at the park to eat, dance, and celebrate their Caribbean heritage. For more than two miles, classmates who participated in the parade were able to demonstrate their national colors as thousands of Caribbean people danced to steel pan, soca and calypso.
For the capstone event, the classmates met at Dave and Buster’s Restaurant in Oakwood Plaza, Hollywood, Florida for one last chance of island-style interaction.
In addition, Golden Class officers were determined, including president Terrence D. Joseph, vice president Judith Ward Hall, executive officer Richard Elizee, public relations officer Paul Stevens, treasurer Diane Ventura, and secretary Celia Simmonds.
Joseph said, "May God continue to bless the entire class until we meet again."
Stevens thanked a number of businesses and persons for their overwhelming support, among them Cruzan Rum, Capital Tees, Advance Exports Inc., Troy Millington, and Sandra Michael, Michelle Henry of the Hampton Inn and Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and newly inducted Honorary Class Member, "Shawty" from Jamaica who drove down five hours from Georgia to be with his friends, Anthony John ’84 and Paul Octave ’86.
Information about the Golden Class of 1986/ St. Croix Central High School Class of 1986 can be found at www.stxclass86.com.
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