On Saturday, April 4, under beautiful, though not entirely picture-perfect, weather, the Brooklyn-based Vincentian group Club St. Vincent, Inc. held its 11th Annual Walkathon at Marine Park in Brooklyn. The club organized the event as part of its ongoing efforts to raise much-needed funds for Vincentian athletes participating in the Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
“I feel good about it; it’s positive,” Ancilla Friday, vice president of Club St. Vincent, Inc., and walkathon coordinator, told Caribbean Life afterward. “We’re the only Vincentian group (in New York) raising funds to support the Vincentian athletes coming for the Penn Relays.
“We were thankful that our new consul general (Roland “Patel” Matthews) came on board and supported us. We have had the support of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consuls General in the past, so we were happy he (Matthews) joined us,” added the former Club St. Vincent, Inc. president.
Friday also noted that, although some people were unable to attend, they still offered generous donations. She observed additional positivity as several groups under the COSAGO umbrella sent their representatives.
For context, COSAGO stands for the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc., which serves as the main Vincentian umbrella group in the US.
“I’m just grateful for those who came out,” Friday said. “The weather was beautiful. It was the best (weather) we’ve had (since hosting the walkathon).
Club St. Vincent, Inc. also expressed appreciation for the Marine Park Alliance, which provided the facility for warm-up and related activities.
Looking to future events, Friday encouraged, “I hope people will come out to support our athletes on April 25,” while also thanking members of Club St. Vincent, Inc. and COSAGO for their support in organizing the walkathon.
She added, “Over the years, our supporters show up with much zest and vigor for this worthy cause, with a mutual echo that permeates the air: ‘I am doing it for the children.’”
Before participants began the five-mile walk around the expansive park, a warm-up session was conducted by Friday’s daughter, Krisann Friday, and Michael Hadaway, both certified physical trainers. Ancilla Friday welcomed participants and wished them well for the event.
Sandra Millington, president of Club St. Vincent, Inc., added to these sentiments by stating that the organization has ‘proudly followed the progress of these children (Vincentian Penn Relays athletes)’ over the years, while urging the Vincentian community to continue supporting the Penn Relays initiative.
“Whatever you do, we appreciate it,” she said. “And spread the word.”
Further highlighting the walkathon’s reach, Matthews, the new St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States, told Caribbean Life he was delighted to participate for the first time.
“I wish to thank Club St. Vincent, Inc. for inviting me to the walkathon,” he said. “It was an honor to participate in an event dedicated to raising essential funds for our athletes from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as they prepare for the upcoming Penn Relays.
“This event provides an excellent opportunity to support our talented athletes and engage with the Vincentian community,” he added. “While the talent within SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) is significant, the resources required for athletes to reach their full potential are often limited. Our contributions provide tangible assistance that will benefit these athletes for years to come.
“I wish to congratulate Club St. Vincent Inc. on spearheading this initiative and thank COSAGO for their consistent support,” Matthews continued. “Achieving 11 years in organizing this event is a commendable accomplishment, and I am proud to support such a selfless community effort.
“Thank you again for organizing this impactful event and for your ongoing commitment to our athletes,” he said.
Adding further encouragement, Crispin Friday, Mrs. Friday’s husband and COSAGO president, appealed to nationals to join them at the Penn Relays on April 25, encouraging everyone to “wave our Vincy flag, and shout and cheer the athletes on to victory.”
He described the walkathon as “a successful event”, noting that walkers represented several Vincentian groups, such Bequia United Progressive Organization (BUPO); Chateaubelair Development Organization (CDO); Garifuna Indigenous People’s Organization (GIPO); Mass Productions Unlimited; St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, U.S.A., Inc.; and SVG Nurses Association of New York.
Mr. Friday stated, “The support was very good and helps create opportunities for young Vincentians. The Penn Relays attract scouts from U.S. colleges, providing chances for athletes to further their academic and athletic futures.”
Laverne McDowald-Thompson, COSAGO vice president and CDO president, commended Club St. Vincent, Inc. for “11 years of commitment” to organizing the walkathon.
“Although the response isn’t the same as years ago, that didn’t faze them,” said the former COSAGO president. “They remained committed to the cause. They understand the opportunity for athletes to be admitted to colleges here in the USA to further their education.
“So, whether the crowd is large or small, the walk goes on,” McDowald-Thompson added. “I was happy to be in the presence of all those who came out on Saturday morning, and we’ll continue to do our best here in the Diaspora.”
On the competition front, James Cordice, the Philadelphia-based coordinator of the Vincentian Penn Relays initiative and president of Team SVG International, shared that St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School will be the country’s sole high school representative in this year’s Penn Relays Carnival, held at Franklin Field Stadium, University of Pennsylvania, from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.
Continuing his update, Cordice disclosed that the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS), which has participated since the initiative’s inception, will not be present this year.
“TSSS started this journey in 2011, with its then principal John Renton and head coach Godfrey “Fuzzy” Harry,” he said. “It saddens me to see that they are not in the line-up this year.
“I believe it’s a great loss to St. Vincent and the Grenadines itself – to the production of Vincentian athletes who have performed well on track and in their academics, as derivatives of the Penn Relays program,” Cordice added.
The Emmanuel High School Marriaqua (EHSM), which participated in the Penn Relays for the first time last year, will also not be competing this year, Cordice said.
However, he said he expects “continued, strong performance” this year from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School, which produced Penn Relays 800m Boys record holder Handel Roban. Roban is expected to graduate from Pennsylvania State University in May.
“The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School has been consistently producing medals at the Penn Relays since they started to compete in the games in 2017,” said Cordice, stating that the Grammar School’s Penn Relays journey began under the leadership of then-principal Curtis King.
Cordice urged other high schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines interested in competing in the Penn Relays to contact him at (267) 971-9152.
