By: Derrick Scott
WASHINGTON, DC – Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, is slated to receive the inaugural “Man of The Decade in Education Award” for his achievements in the Education sector.
The Education Minister, who will deliver the keynote address at the function, is the first to be given this award, under the auspices of the Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York, at its annual fundraising event on Saturday, April 8.
The event, scheduled for the SVA Theatre in Manhattan, will be held under the patronage of Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks.
Re-branded as The Griffin Awards (The Griffys) the event has shifted from its traditional dinner-dance alumni formats, to a modern awards structure, which celebrates the achievements of Jamaicans in the arts, community services, education and technology.
A feature of the evening’s function will be a screening of Jamaica’s iconic film, The Harder They Come, to mark its 45th Anniversary.
The Association will recognise the central role played in the film by two Jamaica College (JC) alumni, Perry Henzell and Winston Stona, who will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Excelsior High School alum Andrew Ewen, co-founder & CEO of the Kobi Company, inventor and developer of the award winning Kobi robot, the world’s first autonomous, 3-in-1 lawn and garden care device, is slated to receive the Technology Innovation award.
Commenting on the event’s significance, president of the Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York, Michael McDonald remarked, “We’re very pleased to recognise the achievements of such a stellar group of alumni and accomplished Jamaicans.
“It’s particularly joyful for our Association to recognize Senator Reid, a brilliant education leader. His service in engineering the turnaround at JC has our eternal gratitude and utmost respect.”
While in New York, Senator Reid will address members of the Union of Jamaica Alumni Association at a special breakfast on Sunday.
