February 14, 2008
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.
Photo Gallery
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 Committee 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.