THE START OF SUMMER BLOG

It is that time again-the start of summer classes. It is time for students to work on applications, prepare study plans for their exams in all categories...SSAT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT...9 a.m. Saturday morning is the time to greet and meet all the Versan recruits.

Our teachers are raring to go! Ms. Rodney, Mr. Karenga, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Campbell, Mr. May, Ms. Bramwell, Mrs. Azan! Raring to go!

We hope as students prepare for this phase, they will be unwavering in their pursuit for excellence and organized with all the paperwork. Get those diaries out!

For those needing prep books, we should have a glut of books in office by Wednesday of next week.

Come and purchase early......


REPORT ON SCHOOLS FROM SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER

Last time I discussed WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY , I promoted it as one of Seattle's hidden secrets. Here are a few more...

Thoroughly disarmed by the beauty of this campus, better yet charmed by the President, George Miller, this little school in residential Tacoma was wonderful to behold. They hold very life-altering orientations that have been nominated as one of the
best in US colleges.

The science department is amazing. The school leans heavily on research and development. UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND is another hidden gem. Engineering, business, mass communications (their radio station manned by students won an MTV award)...

Did I mention that The Dean of Admissions is half-Japanese and half Jamaican. May I add that the food is fabulous? The dorms are spacious and academic entry requirements are selective. This is no walk in the park school.


Another great find was Pacific Lutheran College. The architecture at Lutheraan colleges is simply fantabulous. Foreign Languages, Psychology, Musical Theater and the Performing Arts(there is a conservatory), Creative Writing, Business are the big majors. A very accommodating school for every facet of diversity.

These two campuses got good ratings.

MONTEGO BAY

I met great kids today for consultation. Should be a fun group.

MANDEVILLE

We welcome Mrs. Davis to the Versan team!

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THE GRADUATION BLUES WEDNESDAY BLOG

It is so hard to get things done around the office. I try to start a recommendation for a local high just visited and in comes a stream of students for registration. It is a busy summer season - wow! We are getting ready, more or less...The Tuesday/Thursday class is already closed. Saturday's class is rapidly filling up...there is even a thought that Sunday may have to be opened...Go figure!

While this surge is going on, we ask all the uninitiated, hurry up and secure your places!

WOLMER'S GIRLS' GRADUATION

I was happy to have been invited to be the speaker at the Wolmer's Girls' Graduation. I thought my speech was well-received by that large audience of some 3500 persons. I think they may have outgrown the Jamaican Conference Center, though. But I think the memorable part of that speech is the concept of the "Dutch Pot" behaviour not getting anyone very far...ask any graduating Vth former of Wolmer's Girls about the Dutch Pot principles.

This blog says farewell to one of Wolmer's Foundation Teachers, affably nicknamed, "Scripture Willy" by girls over the year. Mrs. Williams walked for the final time at this graduation. Many will say a tearful farewell to a foremost disciplinarian and Vice-Principal at the school.

It was also a tearful encounter with my former French and German teacher known to me as Ms. Bromley and now Mrs. Ndala, the lady who gave me the foundation and passion for foreign languages- a great teacher.

So as graduations form the closure of one phase of our lives, we must gear ourselves for the next phase to come.

KUDOS TO ANDRE

Andre White came by my office and presented me with a flag from his graduation at Dickinson College. He graduated with Honors in Neuroscience and has subsequently earned a full scholarship to not only complete his Master's degree but also his Doctorate. He has already been cited in Psychology journals for his research, this former Ardenne student, and will now be seen in the Male section of Flair featured next Monday, along with Stephen Millington of Dartmouth University who heads on to law school. See, the boys are on the move, should I say, young men?

It is tearful to see one's past students remember Versan after all these four years, for the assistance we gave. It is also joyous to see them complete four years overseas "well". It is an arduous journey, for parent and child. It is priceless to see them finish the leg of their journey with passion and know that soon I will be referring to him as Dr. White, some premier scholar of Neuroscience. Who knows? He may one day be of great assistance to our school system in Jamaica. Not entirely a brain drain...but a collaboration of sorts....

To young Tulloch, nice consultation, today...hope all the words of wisdom seeped in...Keep it close to heart....See you all next week!

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THE LATE WEDNESDAY BLOG

Sorry folks, I had a hard two days of travel from Vancouver and Seattle. It was hard to settle down and do the blog from trains and buses and planes. Even more, it is difficult when one has to wake up at 5 every morning and tour schools all day...the conference sessions were knowledgeable but exhausting. This blog will showcase the schools I visited all week. Must say though anyone studying in the Pacific Northwest, what scenic beauty and such great salmon, done to order. I also learned that Copper Head salmon are some of the best tasting because it takes longer to go up river and spawn hence the meat is lean, clean and tasty....There was just too much to absorb in the few days there...Oh and people of color, there are people of color in this region and yes, you can get your hair done even at JC PEnney's hair salons!

I also want to thank all the educational consultants whom I met, whose advice and insight into how we assist our students, was vastly intriguing and helpful.

To all the students who received great help from Mrs. Azan and have been getting their visa appointments and their visas - amen!

To those who have finally made up their minds as to where they are going, congrats.

To those who are sourcing our Registration forms for the Summer Session, go to Documents on our web page.

Congrats Mahiri Whittingham on your acceptance to Lewis and Clark, what a lovely scholarship!

Did you see our girls in Flair on Monday under Top Achievers...? Go Robyn and Leanne! Off to law school in style.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110613/flair/flair6.html

Spaces are going fast...do not hold out for too long for the summer...

Don't forget the UWI Medical Sciences summer camp for students 14-18. A great resume builder. There will be another one for those doing or planning to do architecture, also ages 14-18. Email us for further information.

THE SCHOOLS IN SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER: (First Feature)

One of my favorites was WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY. The school's population is approx. 15000 and famous for Marine Biology, Biology/Chemistry, Environmental Science, Nursing, Education and building the fastest car in the world from scratch by a team of Physics students. (I got a chance to look at this Maserati-look-alike), an amazing feat.

I also adored the interdisciplinary studies department at Fairhaven College. Lest, I forget, try to make it to their Honors College....I saw the best Sculpture Park and ranked nationwide for the Art featured on their campus.

May I say what a gorgeous campus? Excellent cafeteria food, though a new contractor has been engaged and such caring and warmth on a fancy campus with LEEDS approved status in their new buildings...You feel the democratic liberalism at play. The town of Bellingham is wonderful...and certainly by Amtrak, one is 1 hour away by rail from Vancouver, a scenic ride. Do check out this school if any of the majors intrigue you. Two thumbs up!

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The Bramwell Saga Wednesday Blog

Isn't it curious that I had a nephew born on June 6th at 10:56 p.m., Jeremiah Anthony and then yesterday, I meet a set of triplets with the surname Bramwell, all high achievers, no relation to me...wonderful girls from Tivoli High School whom I interviewed for the Rotary St. Andrew Fellows program...I met the most wonderful students yesterday. It is a pity they were not all winners for these ten scholarships as I thought they were great. The students who impressed me the most were the students from St. James High - how resilient despite all the obstacles they have met in their lives.

To Our Alums:

Proud of my graduates who are passing by the office and telling me how well they are doing:

Jhana Grant whose German is perfect and about to start a Performing Arts project at Hydel University, recent graduate of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta and a big to do with events planning in the state of Atlanta.

The Douglas brothers, Matthew graduated from Princeton last week and majored in Financial Engineering and Operations Management. He has been hired to work in Stamford Connecticut. His brother attended Williams, Oxford and then Columbia, also recently hired! Go my Manchester posse...

To Rushell in China at Qiadong University, I am amazed at her proficiency in Mandarin. She is now at the second highest level (currently at Bard University in New York)...

To the posse at Worcester Polytechnic University, I am amazed at how well you are all doing, especially those in Chemical Engineering...you all amaze me.

To Annie's 4.0 at Rochester...

To Naim's ability to settle and perform despite the odds of his ailing brother in the hospital...I am amazed!

Summer Classes

Registration is speeding at the course of light. if you are not registered, do it quickly, the spaces are going. FAST!

SUMMER PROGRAM at UWI

What a great resume booster, deadline to register is June 20th. Do nt hesitate and do it now...

Because of registration, this blog came out late, that's how big the summer classes augur to be...Wow, we at Versan are ready....

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The Hurricane Season Wednesday Blog

As we prepare for the Hurricane Season, so comes the rush of registration for the summer courses. It is amazing the slew of registrants coming through our doors.
We hope they stack away all the dictionaries,reading materials, SAT and other test prep courses materials for the summer. For those leaving in 2012, bear in mind, this summer is the time to put applications together and not waste an idle moment. You can party all of next summer after you have gotten in! We only guarantee spaces to those serious about this project of heading North on scholarships! It takes blood, sweat and a high level of determination, meticulousness for this journey.

FULL STAFF

Everyone is back and in full gear for the Summer term. We are all adjusting to the Azan name now...Did we all see and hear Mr. Azan serenade his bride on ON STAGE with Winford Williams? Those with Visa issues should still report to us now....this is Mrs. Azan's domain..

SUMMER CLASSES

We will begin first week in July, so hurry on in as the spaces are going...going...

UWI has a great science summer program, ask me about it...

Anyone for First Aid classes? The Yacht Club has a class on-going...

CONGRATS

Haidee Sutherland who made four boarding schools and will be attending Berkshire in September. And to Raisa Woodstock who made 3 law schools as we await her final choice...

As for your old teacher here, I am glad my SPanish was still kicking and got through all the SPanish newspapers, daily conversations and even one novela whilst in Ecuador..Yaay!

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