Creative Note

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes; art is knowing which

ones tokeep.”- Scott Adams (American Cartoonist).

As I journey through life, I have gained a lot of

experience to assist me to move to the next level

and to deal with the challenges that life has to

throw my way. This portfolio is not just a

collection of work I have done, but an

indication of the lessons I have learnt. Each

item is an embodiment of my talent, my

creativity and my passion which I hope will

inspire.

-Tsahai Thomas

Content

News Releases

A Prized Memory: Research Day Highlights

UWI Students Respond to Blood Bank’s Appeal

Feature Articles

Patty: A Delicacy Often Imitated but Never Duplicated

Are You Blooming With The Pouis?

希望 Kibou: A Lesson in Hope

Secrets Project

Secrets Logo

Secrets Newsletter

Secrets Website

CARIMAC Students Society (CSS)

Induction Ceremony Save the Date

Induction Ceremony Banner

CSS Brochure

FRASS Health and Wellness Expo

FRASS Event Plan

FRASS Newsletter

FRASS Logo

FRASS Banner

FRASS T-Shirt

UWI Counseling Unit Strategic Communication Project

Posters

Counselling Unit Bookmark

Peer Counselor T-Shirts

Miscellaneous

Desktop Wallpaper

Birthday Card

News Releases

The University of the West Indies

Mona, Jamaica

Tel: (876) 927-1660-9 | Fax: (876) 927-2765

Website: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/

January 31, 2011

News Release

A PRIZED MEMORY: RESEARCH DAY HIGHLIGHTS

The lawns of the Undercroft were almost unrecognizable as students and exhibits mingled in a

flurry of intellectual exchange. Hundreds of students across the island journeyed to the UWI,

Mona campus to participate in its annual Research Day on January 27-28, 2011. This year

Research Day was hosted under the theme “Supporting the agricultural sector through teaching,

research and entrepreneurship”. The two day expo was aimed at highlighting the University’s

research efforts as well as enhancing the learning experience of Jamaican students.

This year’s focus was on educating students of the importance of agriculture to the Jamaican

society. Speaking at the opening ceremony on January 27, Agricultural Minister Dr. Christopher

Tufton noted that there has not been enough applied research to transform agricultural products

into more value added commodities. Dr. Tufton however explained that “Agriculture has an

important place in research, and with the assistance of the University it will get the attention it

deserves!” The Minister stated that a main duty of the University will be to foster an attitude and

perception change about agriculture in the minds of its students.

The efforts to change perceptions of agriculture began during Research Day as several

agricultural research projects were exhibited on the lawns of the University. Students also had

the opportunity to interact with University lecturers during the various demonstrations and

exhibitions as well as tour the campus.

Some major Research Day attractions included the heart surgery simulator developed by Dr

Daniel Coore, lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science; the

Environmental Management Unit’s Plastic Bottle Recycling Project; and the nuclear reactor

developed by the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences.

-More-

And of course who can forget the waterfall oasis created within the expo tent, tempting everyone

to a scenic photo shoot?

Students were also kept busy during lectures held at the Undercroft, the first of which was the

annual American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ)/ Cobb Family Lecture titled “Ganja: Legalize or Not

Legalize.” This was delivered by Dr. Wendel Abel, Lecturer, Department of Community Health

and Psychiatry, UWI, Mona. The second entitled, “Violence and the Jamaican Child: A Call to

Action”, was delivered by Dr. Claudette Crawford-Brown, Lecturer, Department of Sociology,

Psychology and Social Work, UWI, Mona.

Summing up the two day event, one Vere Technical High student concluded, “I really enjoyed

research day, I got to see the halls and everything. I especially liked the Math booth because I

won a prize!” And indeed, all who took part in the Research Day activities can attest that they in

fact won a prized memory to take home.

###

Tsahai Thomas (Ms.)

Campus Beat Writer

University of the West Indies, Mona

Tel: (876) 345-2418

Email: tsahai.thomas@gmail.com

Rex Nettleford Hall

University of the West Indies, Mona Kingston 7, Jamaica

Tel: (876)926-4718 | (876)926-4719

Website: rexnettlefordhall.uwimona.edu.jm

March 11, 2011

News Release

UWI STUDENTS RESPOND TO BLOOD BANK’S APPEAL

Kingston, Jamaica: Students of the Rex Nettleford Hall, University of the West Indies, Mona,

responded to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Blood Bank’s appeal for donors

on Thursday, March 10, 2011 during the Hall’s blood drive. The drive was organized by the

Hall’s External Affairs Committee (EAC) in efforts to assist the Blood Bank in sourcing

volunteers to replenish constantly depleting supplies.

Over 300 students participated in the blood drive, says Christine McLean, the Hall’s EAC

Chairman. Ms. McLean noted that, “The Rex Nettleford Hall through its various outreach

programmes has always tried to give back to the community. A blood drive of this magnitude

has, however, never been done.”

Representative from the Blood Blank, Ms. Charlene Hyatt lauded the Hall’s initiative, “I

am very happy to see young people so willing to give not only of their blood but their time. The

patience of the students throughout the process as well as their cooperation is commendable.”

First year Law student, Malike Kellier, describes his experience, “It was not painful. The

total process, from registration through to giving blood and the resting phase took about 45

minutes. After we donated blood, we were provided with lunch and told to rest for 15 minutes

before leaving.” He implores other students to visit the blood centres and donate as well as.

-More-

Volunteering to give blood is an act of public responsibility, says Ms. Charlene Hyatt,

Blood Bank representative, as blood cannot be manufactured, it has to be donated. The Jamaican

population is, therefore, encouraged to donate. All Public hospitals across the island are blood

collection centres.

###

Tsahai Thomas (Ms.)

Communications Officer

Rex Nettleford Hall

University of the West Indies, Mona

Kingston 7, Jamaica

Tel: (876)926-4718 | (876)926-4719

Website: rexnettlefordhall.uwimona.edu.jm

Feature Articles

PATTY: A DELICACY OFTEN IMITATED BUT NEVER DUPLICATED

If you have taken a walk over to the Pure and Applied faculty you

might have noticed some changes to one of our favourite watering

holes as students, the Juicy Patties restaurant. Over the past school year

the building has gone through much structural change, both inside and

out. No longer do you pay for your order then wait, hot and perplexed

in a pushing crowd, to hear your number called. Now you call out your

order over the pushing crowd, and then join a line to pay for your meal. Then came the clincher;

the new NO REFILL policy on cup sodas! We were devastated.

A great outcry resonated throughout the campus. Many vowed never to buy another crumb from

the restaurant! Months after, hungry students are still flocking the building. Despite the

disgruntlement with the changes, one factor keeps us all going back, the very essence on which

the restaurant was built, the Jamaican patty.

The history of the Jamaican patty is a disputed one. Some say it has its roots in colonialism,

developed after the introduction of the English turnover to the Caribbean. Others argue that it is

fashioned after the Spanish empanada. Whatever the case, the flaky texture and savoury flavour

of the Jamaican patty are just that, uniquely Jamaican.

Many older folks are loyalist to what they call the real patty, that is, the beef patty. The beauty,

they say, is found in its scrumptious simplicity, filled only with spicy grounded Jamaican beef.

The new age generation of rebels and adventurers, however, now enjoys a wide variety of

delicacies ranging from the shrimp and lobster patty, to the newly introduced soy patty.

Of all the Jamaican dishes sold abroad whether ackee and salt fish breakfasts, or rice and peas

lunches, the Jamaican patty remains the one that is just not the same unless eaten on home soil.

One Jamaican student currently continuing studies in Barbados at the University of the West

Indies, Cave Hill Campus declared, “The first thing I longed for when I came back to Jamaica

for the holidays was a patty. While we could get jerk chicken or fry fish during our Jamaica

week celebrations, the one thing we just could not duplicate was the patty.”

-More-

In their quest for flavour, many members of the Diaspora, after a trip home to Jamaica, have to

take back a frozen box of Jamaican patties alongside their aluminium foil wrapped roasted

breadfruits and bottles of scotch bonnet pepper sauce. While many cook shops and restaurants in

the New York Metropolitan area with high West Indian populations such as Jamaica Queens or

parts of Brooklyn, may profess to sell the Jamaican patty, those who have tasted a patty made in

Jamaica are the wiser.

The morale of the story: the buildings may transform but the Jamaican patty, tasty, juicy and

made like mother’s home cooking, remains a stalwart of Jamaican cuisine. So go out and have a

bite today!

###

Tsahai Thomas (Ms.)

Campus Beat Writer

University of the West Indies, Mona

Tel: (876) 345-2418

Email: tsahai.thomas@gmail.com

ARE YOU BLOOMING WITH THE POUIS?

It is March and the poui trees have bloomed early this year. The poui tree (Telebuia Serratifolia)

is but one of the natural beauties of the Caribbean, originating from the tropical forests of South

America. These masterpieces are most awe inspiring when in full bloom, usually between the

months of April and May. The deciduous tree sprouts gorgeous clusters of sunshine-yellow bell

shaped flowers when the tree is devoid of foliage and leaves.

All who have come across a poui when in bloom knows there is no greater joy than frolicking on

the golden carpet of petals as the flowery fragrance perfumes the air.

For us students, however, the presence of these golden bells ominously ring in the sitting of our

Final Examinations. As Jamaican popular saying has it, a student’s study routine has to bloom

with the poui or they will be in trouble when sitting their papers. It is, therefore, each student’s

aim to become an early bloomer.

BECOMING AN EARLY BLOOMER

The first stage of blooming is the shedding of foliage and leaves. If we desire to be early

bloomers this year, like our picturesque mentors, we have to shed some our excess activities. The

frequent late night parties have to be released from our time-tables before our budding A’s can

begin to sprout.

According to Dr Michael Oatham, lecturer in Plant Science working in the department of Life

Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine,

“The unusual bouts of rain in the dry season have contributed to the rapid early blooming of poui

trees across the region.” As aspiring early bloomers, we need to provide our minds with the

suitable climatic conditions for bloom. It is, therefore, time we water our minds with more than

its usual diet of Facebook and read that article we have been avoiding since the start of the

semester.

-More-

As early bloomers we also have to remember to remain steadfast and strong. Poui trees are

notable not only for their beautiful flowers, but also for their durability as timber trees. The

Ecology Society of America (ESA) Journal explains that, “The Poui is prized for its stability,

durability, strength and natural resistance to decay, wet conditions, and infestation by termites

and borers.” The ESA Journal also states that the poui has a Class A fire rating, the same rating

given to concrete and steel. We too need steely determination to stick to our study schedules

even when pressured to do otherwise.

A final interesting fact about the lovely poui tree mentioned in the ESA Journal, is that in some

countries such as Suriname, in traditional medicine, the inner lining of the bark is boiled and a

tea is made that is used for anaemia, malaria, colds, cough, flu and ulcer. The poui once again

reminds us that as early bloomers, we ought not to only think of ourselves, but to help all those

we can by providing a small ray of sunshine-yellow to light the way.

###

Tsahai Thomas (Ms.)

University of the West Indies, Mona

Campus Beat Writer

Tel: (876) 345-2418

Email: tsahai.thomas@gmail.com

希望 KIBOU: A LESSON IN HOPE

The world waits with bated breath as the search for survivors continues in Japan. In a nation

short on good news, each discovery of life sparks new hope. But how important is hope in times

such as these?

Hope, or kibou as it is translated in Japanese, is the belief in a positive outcome related to events

and circumstances in one's life. It is a feeling that things will turn out for the best.In Christian

theology, it is one of the three main virtues, which are spiritual gifts from God. The other two

being faith and love.

In times of great adversity, destruction and distress, hope is the driving force for life. The belief

that something positive is about to happen pushes a people to continue to fight and inevitably to

overcome.

Listening to the miraculous stories emerging from Japan, we realise the importance of hope. One

story in particular of a four-month old baby found unharmed among rubbles, stands out.

According to the Times news report, on March 14 soldiers from the Japanese Defence Force

were going door-to-door, pulling bodies from homes flattened by the earthquake and tsunami in

Ishinomaki City, a coastal town northeast of Senda, when they heard the tiny cry.

As the Times puts it, the soldiers, having gotten used to the crunching of rubble and the sloshing

of mud than to the sound of life, at first dismissed the baby's cry as a mistake. After hearing the

cry again, however, they began their search, hope being renewed. The baby had been washed

away from her parents’ arms during the tsunami on March 11. How she survived drowning and

being crushed by falling buildings remains a mystery, but that is the audacity of hope.

As soldiers and air rescuers diligently continue their search for survivors, it is hope that will

move them to stretch themselves to the extreme. Hope will make them search longer, listen more

keenly, and dig deeper among rubble for the tiniest signs of life.

-More-

HOPE FOR JAMAICA

Jamaica has faced much hardship over the years. The man-made disaster of crime and violence is

one that has been causing tidal waves of death and despair to sweep the nation. The rescue

efforts of the government, however, seem to be turning out little results.

One of our major problems is that we have lost hope. Many do not believe that there is any

possibility for change. Hope is confidence that good is going to happen. As our national hero

Marcus Garvey said, “If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of

life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.” If we have lost our

confidence, our hope, we have already lost the battle.

We can, however, look to situations such as the one in Japan, and rekindle the fires of hope. If

this past week has taught us something, it should be the power of banding together as a people,

never losing sight of hope. Charles Allen reminds us, “When we say a situation or person is

hopeless, we are slamming the door in the face of God.”

###

Tsahai Thomas (Ms.)

University of the West Indies, Mona

Tel: (876) 437-2443

Email: tsahai.thomas@gmail.com

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