St. John's News

Students, faculty, administrators and staff gathered in the Little Theatre and were entertained and inspired by Caribbean playwright Trevor Rhone, who returned to St. John’s University to perform his autobiographical tale “Bellas Gate Boy” on February 13.

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Introduced by Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Vice President for Student Affairs at St. John’s, Rhone took the stage and shared his life story with the University community.  Beginning with his early days in rural Jamaica, Rhone used humor and warmth to share the ups and downs of his rise to fame through a compelling and engaging performance. 

In a tribute following the show, the Caribbean Students Association presented an excerpt from Rhone’s play Smile Orange, a satirical comedy that depicts the tourism business in Jamaica from both the side of the tourist and the native Jamaicans.  Lawrence King, President of Student Government, Inc. and Ludny Pierre, Executive Vice President of Haraya, the Pan-African Students Coalition, presented Rhone with a special gift and thanked him for brining his encouraging tale to St. John’s for the second time.

Sponsored by The President’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), the Division of Student Affairs, Student Government, Inc., the Caribbean Students Association and Haraya, the Pan-African Students Coalition, the event was held in partnership with the Caribbean Cultural Theatre and was one of several events hosted in honor of the University’s African Heritage Celebration.   

The annual Black and White Ball on February 15 will once again serve as the closing ceremony for the African Heritage Celebration.  Students will don formal attire while sharing food and awarding classmates, faculty, staff and administrators whose role has had a positive impact on African American Diaspora at St. John’s.   For ticket information, please contact Nashia Whittenburg at (718) 990-5400.