Kudos to Cindy Woods Pearson, Andre DeBose and the DC crew for jumpstarting the 2015 fundraising efforts just a month after our 30th reunion. The annual Blue & White Marina party will kick off on June 11 at 6 p.m. at the James Creek Marina.
Please support this effort that supports us and have a great time!
Homecoming Party Update
The 35th reunion events committee is working hard to secure a space for us to have our annual homecoming old school jam. Last week we had a transition conference call to discuss the possibilities and we are considering branding this party to make even bigger profits. I'd like to hear your thoughts. You can either drop me an email at dmiki@aol.com, or leave a comment on the blog, which is preferable.
Reunion Photos
There are at least 1,200 photos from our 30th reunion out there in cyberspace. You can view those taken by Cheryl Dunn Badger on her Facebook account, and you can peep mine at www.mikiphoto.smugmug.com. The photos are in a protected gallery called Ubiquity at 30. The password is ubiquity.
Birthdays
June
Carolyn Harris Brown, June 2 Cindy Woods Ward Pearson, June 10 Michael Prewitt, June 17 Terri Lawrence, June 25 Larry Butler, June 26 Willeta Monroe Sawyer, June 27 Brett Pulley, June 28 Sheila McNeill-Lee, June 30
July
Marcia Fields Milton, July 6 Joyce Wilson, July 6 Chan Phillips, July 10 Charlene Alexander-Taylor, July 10 Margaret Colden-Stanfield, July 10 Rhonda Hoskins Bush, July 10 Chuck Dortch, July 18 Kenny Boone, July 24
Today is the one-year anniversary of the blog!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
For Sale!
The reunion committee has several leftover gift bag items for sale. Proceeds will benefit our class as we begin to planning future events.
First, thanks to Dyanne Boone Baldwin and her committee for putting together the best goodie bag ever. Also, to Rhonda Rhea Byrd for designing such a powerful Obama poster, which was included in the bag.
Here's what we have left:
15 Ubiquity polo shirts. There are 8 2xls, 6 mediums and 1 large for $20, plus $10 S/H.
1 Ubiquity knapsack $20, plus $12 S/H.
Several pairs of sunglasses with cases for $10, plus $5 S/H.
Please contact Dyanne Boone Baldwin or Andre DeBose if you are interested in any of these items. DBB is at baldwin@bigplanet.com or AD at adebose@deloitte.com.
As previously published, the Obama-Ubiquity posters are also available for sale. Please refer to the last posting and contact Rhonda if you are interested in purchasing one of those at justsisters@hotmail.com.
The Old School Mix CDs donated by Twin, will be available for free including S/H. You can obtain those by contacting Kent White at kew1958@aol.com.
Another Legacy Grad!
Congratulations to Rhonda Carter Lawrence, whose daughter Felisha graduated Sunday with honors in electrical engineering.
Boat Party
Cindy Woods Pearson and her marina crew are gearing up for another Ubiquity fundraiser this summer in D.C. on June 11. Stay tuned for more information, but please ink this date on your calendars.
New class leader Miki Turner with committee members Wynton Dillard & Cheryl Dunn Badger
Transitions
Now that we're all back in our respective spaces, I hope you all have had time to reflect on yet another great reunion at our Home by the Sea.
It just never gets old.
Our 30th reunion was everything the committee hoped it would be--the three Fs: Fun, Fellowship and Funds. Our class raised more than $128,000 and all of us who attended the alumni banquet in Saturday night cheered wildly as Andre DeBose, Michael Byrd, Wynton Ivey Norvel-Dillard and Cheryl Dunn Badger presented our class gift to the university.
Additionally, we elected new leadership. I will now serve as your class leader, a job I humbly accepted when nominated and I look forward to continuing the legacy of fine work performed by my wonderfully committed predecessors. Joining me in this effort will be:
Bonita Layson as executive administrative chair Chuck Dortch as treasurer Wynton Ivey Norvel-Dillard/Cheryl Dunn Badger as Fundraising/PR chairs Carl Coleman as registration chair Todd Givens/Rhonda Rhea Byrd as coordinating producers for special programs Baron McKeithan and Sylvia Hazel Hunter as local liasons Bill Young/Alfonso Holloman/Billy Taylor as event producers Lauren Jones as publications chair Dyanne Boone Baldwin as sponsorship/gifts chair Charlene Alexander-Taylor/Mary Radden Hicks as co-on site hospitality chairs Adriana Bethel-Hibbler as necrology chair Rick Montgomery as senior producer/designer Donna Lewis Givens as class Chaplin
If anyone has any interest in working on one of these committees or using your skills to benefit the team as a whole, please let me know. Also, I'm hoping that some of the previous class leaders will agree to be on a special advisory board to help our team through the transition.
There will be some adjustments to some of these committees as we go on, but I believe that we've got a great core group and that collectively with your help that we can continue to make the Ubiquity reunions social and financial successes.
We already have some great ideas and concepts that include fundraising wine tasting parties, homecoming events and Ubiquity specialty item sales that will benefit our class. Once we get these ideas fully developed we'll let you know.
The bar has been set high by the previous administrations headed by Bert Allen, Kenny Boone, Andre DeBose and Michael Byrd. The members of the 35th reunion know what we must do to ensure that level of continued success. We might be driving the bus but this has to be a collective effort.
On behalf of the committee thank you for your support, your feedback, your suggestions, your ideas and your prayers as we move forward. Let's all look forward to the possibilities.
Best regards, Miki Turner 2015 Ubiquity Class Leader
A Special Gift
We closed Strawberry Banks down on Saturday night with a special announcement from two DC homegirls.
Just after the class toast, Carolyn Harris Brown announced that Cheryl Dunn Badger had graciously offered to donate one of her kidneys to Carolyn, who has been on dialysis for 15 years. Cheryl has one more test to go through and if all goes well, Carolyn could have her new kidney by the end of the summer.
This is how Ubiquity rolls. This is why we are so special, so bonded.
Who Else Was There?
You've all seen the list of people who were expected to come but there were quite a few surprises, too.
They include Cynthia Thompson, Sheila Tucker, Eddie Keller, Cheyenne Jackson, Venena Preston, Alotha Willis, Stacey Davis, Sheila Antrum, Peggy Witt James, Donna Yancy Blanks, Kym Wilson, Michelle Hurd, Myra Smith, David Jett, Kim Bullah and Rhonda Carter to mention a few.
Collector's Item!
One of the mot sought after items other than the Hampton Institute T-shirts was the Barack Obama poster designed by our own Dr. Rhonda Rhea Byrd. These posters were included in the fabulous Ubiquity gift bag coordinated by Dyanne Boone Baldwin. If you want one, Rhonda will be selling these for $30 a pop plus shipping and handling. If you want one, you can pay her through paypal. Please email her at justsisters@hotmail.com for the link. Proceeds will benefit the Hampton endowed scholarship fund. If you act between now and June 30, the money will go toward our 2010 class contribution.
These coveted items are going quickly, so jump on it!
Barack Rocked!
Those of you who had the opportunity to attend commencement at Armstrong Stadium not only had the privilege to witness a historic event, but to be entertained by President Barack Obama. He had obviously been briefed about Hampton folklore and tradition!
Here's my story on his visit, but if you want to see and hear the speech, click on the link below.
For those of you in the DC-VA-MD metro area, here's a chance to have some fun and raise some funds. RIP Lena Horne, Benjamin Hooks & Dorothy Height. The meaning of your lives are still unfolding in all of us.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
HELP!
Marilyn Cain Gordon has four rooms for two nights at the Embassy Suites that she needs to unload ASAP. If you know anyone needing accommodations this weekend, please reach out to her at: 202.723.8600.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
New Info On Commencement Tickets!
According to new information received this morning by class leader Andre DeBose, commencement tickets will be distributed according to class on Saturday morning. This means you need to get up early and stand in the appropriate line in order to receive your tickets at the Emancipation Oak. Be sure to have your photo ID.
Room Available!
Cindy Pearson has a room available at the Crowne Plaza for the group rate of $149. Cindy will arrive in Hampton Friday around 1 p.m. and can be reached at: 202-251-9424. Also, Adrianna Bethel-Hibler has a room available. Her room can be obtained by contacting Andre DeBose at adebose@deloitte.com.
Congrats Mamas!
Cheers to Marilyn Cain Gordon, whose daughter Brittany is graduating on Sunday, and also to Joyce Wilson, whose son Alexander is walking as well as Michele Cheek's daughter Jessica.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sorry Brothers!
Well, the new tallies are in for the Battle of the Sexes! While it looked as though the brothers were edging closer last week, they got close but no they have yet to mount a serious threat to all the sisters who sacrificed those new shoes to help the cause!
Proud Parents!
Congrats to Heywood and Valerie Milsap Harrison whose daugther Melody has been accepted to Marymount Manhattan College and will major in studio art/costume design and minor in French. Melody has always been awarded $10,000 in scholarships from the college!
There's Still Time!
Our list of registered classmates keeps growing and you know it's gonna be a good 'ol time! So, if you're still on the fence about attending this weekend's reunion, please get the heck off and come on down to your home by the sea! If you need more info, please check previous posts or reach out to someone on the reunion committee.
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