Old Scholars News

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New Executive

The new Executive for the year 2008-2009 comprises of no one from the previous term. This unusual occurrence happened due to the fact that none of the previous executive members (with the exception if Cheryl Alleyne) opting to be reelected. Following are the names of the new Executive Committee for the year 2008-2009.

All but the floor members ran unopposed. Other persons nominated for floor member were Margaret Lorde and Alicia Hicks. A Shadow Executive was not named at the meeting.

AT ages 16 to 18, most adolescents are psyched to get their driver's licence, but David Callender at the tender age of 18 was recently handed a licence to fly. For this 18-year-old, the sky's definitely the limit.

Vicki Mondore, President of the Foundation Old Scholars' Association, described Callender as an unassuming, humble, young man and stated that his accomplishment was an opportunity to inspire present students to go after their heart's desire.

In her acknowledgement of Callender's heroic accomplishment, Mondore, being in the school's new hall amidst Foundation students like her self, made comparable references between the bible story characters, David and Goliath, and David Callender to the assembled students. We remember David for slaying Goliath, for his tenacity, his bravado, for standing in front of Goliath and being victorious and it is from that story I want you to take and be determined as David in the Old Testament. The other David, David Callender, he is 18 years old, he did his first flight lesson in 2004 and also got his student pilot licence in 2005. In February 2008, he received his professional licence and that is creating aviation history by becoming Barbados' youngest Pilot. This David went to the best school in Barbados. He too like the David in the Old Testament trust in God, he too when faced with Goliath was victorious. Whatever your Goliath may be, whatever obstacle, an exam, a situation at home, a situation among your friends, whatever your Goliath might be, the story remains the same of the David in the bible and the David here trusting in God to overcome your obstacle, encouraged Ms. Mondore.

Callender, completely jarred over the acknowledgement of his achievements, never thought that doing what he wanted to do would amount to so much recognition. During his acceptance, he advised the students to follow their hearts and to do what they know they have to do. Presently in his final year at the Barbados Community College, Callender disclosed his acceptance at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), where he'd registered to study for the four-year degree programme in Aeronautical Science. Upon its completion, Callender will be a certified commercial pilot, and hopes to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. Until then, the private licence holder would be making trips around the Caribbean on a Cessna 172, a small single engine four-seat plane.

He further told the Barbados Advocate that one of his dreams is to work with NASA (National Aeronautic and Space Administration), but voiced that that dream will have to take second place to aviation. Callender reasoned he'd be a commercial pilot by age 22 or 23. In acknowledgement of his age posing concerns to some passengers, he contended that age doesn't equate to ignorance. "Trust us we've been trained, we know what we are doing. If we didn't we wouldn't be there, so it's nothing out of the ordinary. Passengers hardly ever get to see the pilot anyway."

Also among his lengthy to-do list is the establishment of a fund to assist those who have a love for aviation, but can't afford it. He explained that the idea was founded through observations of friends who are interested, but are unable to finance the cost of aviation lessons. "A lot of my friends want to be pilots, but they can't afford it. So I just want to try and make an influence, see if I can get a scholarship started up so that people my age who are doing well in school can get some money to go and at least start." Callender said to accomplish this, he will talk to his parents who seem to know a lot of people, who know other people. He also conferred with Foundation Old Scholar and United Nations Youth Ambassador Chad Blackman, who'd proposed lending a hand to make the fund possible.

Principal Robert Cumberbatch imparted: "Callender was always such an upright citizen, a person that we are proud of. He did not visit my office too often; the few times that I would have seen him, he'd gotten an accolade on the stage. I'm very proud. When I saw it in the newspapers I was ecstatic. In fact, that article would have been on our school notice board, but because we've only recently been handed back the hall, we are also refurbishing the notice board, which is taking a little time, otherwise the article with additional information about him would have been there, but I'm very proud of him, especially in light of the fact that he's the product of this school."

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