Hordes of Excelsior alumni—some who had donned their school and national colors—and other patrons marked Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence at the annual Xmas Bash in Lauderhill, Florida last Saturday night.
The event that began sedately came alive dramatically as the evening progressed and was swinging at full bore as daybreak approached. The Excelsior Alumni Association of Florida once again confirmed that it knows how to throw a bash.
 
“Yes, the music was sweet and thumping. DJ Mark Swaby rocked the house!” Michael Sinclair, one very satisfied partygoer, commented afterwards.
 
The packed Caribbean Cultural Centre was a sea of jubilant revelers as the fundraising Xmas Bash—the 10th so far—got into full gear. Billed alternately this year as an observance of Jamaica’s historic Golden Jubilee, Xmas 2012 got a boost from the presence of alumni from various other Jamaican high schools.
 
School and national pride was on full display as alumni came from various points to attend. And for a brief moment on Saturday night, it was easy to forget that the party was thousands of miles away in Florida and not in the heart of Jamaica.
Even stripped of some of its frills in consideration of the recession, this year’s Bash remained a memorable occasion. And the alumni — many of them — feel that this is a compelling calendar event that should not be missed.

“It was good to see so many schoolmates, some who I had not seen in more than 30 years,” Lloyd (Deroux) Holness said.
The Alumni Association promised a party with a difference, and the night lived up to its advance billing as it featured a number of surprises. Among them was an impromptu performance by songstress Novel-T, aka alumna Novlette Fellows, who previewed her new music CD and handed out complimentary copies.

In the organization’s effort to illuminate the service and contribution of worthy civic-minded alumni and others, renowned philanthropist Rula Brown was conferred with its Alumni Service Award.

With Xmas Bash 2012 in the bag, attention now shifts to Xmas Bash 2013, December 14, 2013. And ,with a mere 363 days to go, the clock is already ticking to the fateful date……Tick…Tock…Tick..Tock….