Alvin M. Keeling The entrance to Taylor Hall, University of the West Indies, Mona.
TAYLOR Hall, considered the most popular student residence at the University of the West Indies (Mona), will commemorate its 70th anniversary with a week-long series of events from October 2-9.
Shaquel Benti, Hall Chairman at Taylor Hall, who along with a number of his fellow Taylors is spearheading the celebrations, said: “Taylor Hall has been one of the busiest and busiest halls of the university campus, with many influential personalities. The university has been in operation for 75 years and for 70 of those years Taylor Hall has been at its side, supporting it for every integral event.”
He continued, “So when you think of the campus blockade in terms of student rights, which was cheered on and led by a former Taylor Hall hall president and any key event, you usually see Taylor Hall members On top of that, members of the University Guild student leaders usually come from Taylor Hall.To say that Taylor Hall has been a key part of the University of the West Indies is essentially oversimplifying it.
The celebrations will begin on Sunday, October 2 with a church service and the annual Olympics from Taylor Hall. On Monday, October 3, there will be a screening of a documentary that will present the beginnings of Taylor Hall and its history to the present day. One of the hall’s must-see events, a health fair, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4; while later in the night there will be game night.
The Founders Day event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5, and will see the award-winning Taylor Hall Choir perform. The day will end with the Tayorite benefit concert. A Ring Road parade and parade of floats as well as a commuter social will be the center of attention on Thursday, October 6, while Friday is all about Big Tree Lyme.
Saturday, October 8 is Family Fun Day where alumni and students will gather for a day of fun and frolics. The celebrations will culminate on Sunday, October 9 with a prostate cancer awareness campaign.
“Prostate Cancer Awareness is actually a joint project with the Georgia Prostate Coalition Board. Our Student Services Development Manager, Mr. Hamilton, is the one who really chaired this program. We don’t just target men , we also implore their girlfriends to encourage these men and raise awareness,” said Benti, who recently completed an undergraduate degree in journalism and is currently pursuing another undergraduate degree in sports business management.
Additionally, Faculty of Engineering Guild representative Gawayne Wright, who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering, says it’s an honor to be a Taylorist.
“Being a Taylorist really triggers something in you. It really pushes you to strive for greatness. It is indeed a pleasure and an honor to be a Taylorist,” said Wright, who will take part in the week-long celebrations.
Wright added, “My involvement will also be to help bring these events to fruition. Another key goal of the celebrations is to ensure there is a good succession plan in place to retain this Taylor Hall culture.”
Famous names who have been Taylorists over the years include Krystal Tomlinson; Lisa Hanna; Olympians Hansle Parchment and Candice McLeod; Ralph Gonsalves, the current Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Shaquel Benti, president of Taylor Hall.
