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LOCAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION........
.[President's Message]
1999 was yet another year that posed significant challenges to the Association and indeed the entire Jamaican community. The downturn in the economy resulted in many companies down-sizing their operations with the attendant increased unemployment. However, despite these major challenges and against all odds, the Association has continued its efforts to contribute to the growth and development of the school.
The Year 2000 was heralded in with much fanfare and some amount of anxiety surrounding the technological ill-effects that could be unleashed worldwide. However, apart from minor glitches and a few difficulties, we were speared the much debated participation in the life of the school with the following:
1. Disbursement of the Annual Scholarship Fund to a student from the third and fourth year groups.
2. Presentation of Trophies at the Students' Academic Awards Ceremony.
3. Donation of a Cheque and Trophy to the "Teacher of the Year" on Teachers' Day.4. The Annual Awards and Recognition Dinner
5. Past Students' Week Celebrations
6. The holding of the Annual General Meeting and the Election of New Officers
Globalization has created increased competition and, while this has had some positive benefits, there are also some negative effects. As a result, the Association is experiencing reduced levels of voluntary support from individuals who are either trying to keep their businesses viable or, are pushed to the limit at their places of work. It is therefore very heartening to know that there are still persons who are willing to make the sacrifice for their alma mater and country. Let me therefore applaud you on your unswerving commitment and loyalty to your school and trust that you will be propelled to continue making your invaluable contributions.
In closing, I would like to make special mention of how much the Association appreciates your unstinting support and pay tribute to you as stalwarts of this Association. You have served well, stood tall, and have weathered the many storms that came your way. To the persons who have worked relentlessly to make this function a reality, I applaud you and say "well done!" Your contributions will not go unnoticed, never give up, and I trust that your inspirations will direct our collective effort into "Deeds Not Words".
FAITH SIMMS - President
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NEW YORK CHAPTER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION......
[President's Message below]
 Fitzroy K. Gabbidon
 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
This new millenium was recently ushered in with hyped anxiety and anticipation of unprecedented technological advancements. The challenge that faces organizations such as ours is how to lesson the technological divide that will occur due to economic disparities. The collective efforts of past students and frugal distribution of resources will help in providing the quality education necessary in this era.
As past students of Dinthill Technical High School, the formative years spent there represents a significant part of our personal history, a history molded by education crusaders such as tonight's honoured guest, Major R.H. Barker. His notorious discuplinary stance and excellent command of subject matter taught made him a perfect love-hate candidate and certainly a teacher who can never be forgotten. Major Barker did a stellar job at Dinthill and for this many of us will be eternally grateful. Thank you sir.
Tonight's ninth anniversary celebration is a testimony of our motto "DEEDS NOT WORDS". Our sponsors, a consortium of past sstudent entrepreneurs, namely: Champo Shipping, North Eastern Telephone, Purity Foods and World Guide Travel, provided necessary financial support to make this event viable. Surely this gesture deserve not only our thanks, but also our patronage.
Dinthill is experiencing a gentle revolution led by a dynamic new principal, Mr. Dennis Clarke with support from P.T.A., past students and other interests. Entrance to our school is a tourist attraction for past students, agricultural base is revitalized with a tractor familiar to all past students back in commission. Past student contributions has shown positive upswing, school was able to purchase a bus with funding from its own resources, P.T.A. and trust fund. The Past Students' Association in Jamaica through which we channel our efforts is in constant contact with school and serving as an effective conduit for NY and Canadian Chapters. The NY Chapter continues its crusade for computers and soprts. The 1999 Penn Relay team performed credibly with one member, Elva Goldberg, now attending Arizona State, earned a scholarship for her performance. Thanks to Mr. Butch Stewart, Air Jamaica and the Jamaican Police Force who ensured the trip to Penn State despite riots after being abandoned by another airline. Presently, our chapter is working on a long-term infrastructure plan detailing land use and a futuristic campus.
Mr. John Thompson, past VP and current chairman of Asset Committee is an unassuming memaber of our organization. His effort since this year through Mega Raffle and Dinner Dance alone represnet an income of approximately $10,000. This should not distract from the efforts of the rest of us, but we have to commend a past student who can be motivated by reason and wisdom. Remember John, if you want something done, ask people who are busy. They are accustomed to getting things done. Thanks for proving me right.
Walk Good!
Fitzroy K. Gabbidon
President, 2000 - 2002
DINTHILL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION- NEW YORK CHAPTER
VISION 2000
TO BECOME A WORLD CLASS NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SUPERIOR SUPPORT FOR OUR OWN ALMA MATER WHILE ACHIEVING FINANCIAL VIABILITY.
OUR MISSION
Through our highly motivated organization which is reliable and thoughtful, thereby achieving a high level of satisfaction supporting the preservation of Dinthill, making a reasonable rate of return for students, while being good past students.
The DTHS Alumni Association, New York Chapter invites all past students to once again, support our "Big Tent Effort".
LET THE DEEDS OF MANY HELP TO REDUCE THE STRESS ON THE FEW.
"FACTA NON VERBA"
Executive 98/2000
F. K. Gabbidon - ( 718)763-2860
J. Thompson - V.P. -(718)927-2020
G. Dunn -P.R.O. - (212)935-9000
S. Douglas -T.- (914)965-5266
H. DaCosta - A.T. - (718)231-8806
H. Williams - Corr. Sect.-(516)223-1364
O Nichols - Rec. Sect. - (718)723-6276
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ONTARIO CHAPTER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
PHONE : (905) 450-5959
[President's Message below]
 Dorlan H. Francis
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Once again the calendar has turned to the annual dinner, dance and awards function of our fellow alumni in the United States. And once again it gives us great pleasure to bring you greetings. I do so with pride on behalf of the Board and members of the Ontario Chapter.
As we enter a new millennium this is a good time to lay our plans for the future. The alumni associations in Canada, the US and Jamaica have worked well in the past. I believe in that going forward we need to be even more cohesive. We need to set clear, realizable goals and work towards them in a series of five year plans. We should clearly determine and state what we are able to do for our alma mater and the school should know what to expect. Our first five year polan could be set at a summit of alumni associations when we have our next past students week at the school.
We believe that the trust fund should be the primary source for past students to provide financial assistance to the school. If the fund needs restructuring in order to take advantage of any exemption from the paying of taxes or fees, this should be done in a mann er that enaables those who make the contributions, to have a say in how the fund is run. As we work towards that goal, we should continue to make contributions to the fund. I regret to say that we have not done as well as we should or as well as we could. We should clearly understant that if we hope to have a financially independent Dinthill, then our best way to achieve that is to grow the trust ffund as large and as fast as possible. I call upon every past student of Dinthill who has not yet done so to make a donation to the trust fund. For too long, a small number of passt students has been giving a lot. It's about time that a lot gives a little. Ten, twenty or a hundred dollars, it will add up to a sizable sum.
The trust fund makes provisions t assist all the financial needs of the school and students at the sschool. Therefore, any funding intended for the school or students while at school, should be redirected to the trust fund. Apart from making donations to the trust fund, we in Ontario will only help in areas that uplift the school or help its graduaatess. These are areas where the trust fund has no authority to help. Example of this was our honouring of Mrs. Joyce McKenzie in 1999 and the establishing of the Joyce McKenzie Award at Dinthill. This award will be presented annually to the student showing excellence in English Language. Another exaample is our awarding of a scholarship to a graduate of Dinthill. In 1998, this scholarship was awarded to Howard Lewin to pursue a pre-university course aat Excelsior Education Centre. In 1999, this was awarded jointly to Deborah Watson and Derval Pickersgill both to pursue the Associate in Science Degree at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education. This is how the Ontario chapter intends to proceed. If there is an emergrncy at the school, then we will consider it. We invite the other associations to adopt this approach.
As we enter the twenty-first century , let us re-dedicate our efforts to better our school. Let us work towards restoring the honour of our founding fathers by having the houses named after them - like it was before. we should not sit and waatch as men who made our school possible and who weere justly honoured, have their names expunged form our history. Instead, we should work to add to that list the likes of C. V. Phillips. For those founders who have not been recognizerd, let us do so by having building on campus named in their honour.
We salute the New York chapter on their Millennium Gala and we congratulate them on their decision to honour Major Rupert Baaarker. We believe that Major Barker has made an invaluable contribution to Dinthill and is very deserving of this honour. We ask for god's richest blessings on your activities and we hope that your efforts will be rewarded with success.
Dorlan H. Francis, President
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