Toronto Chapter’s History

Established in 2004, the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada comprises of former students of Meadowbrook High School and Associate Members.

The program started with 5 past students, of the same graduating year and migrated to Canada deciding to form an organization that supports the needs of Meadowbrook High School. This was birthed out of the Jamaican culture and a desire to partner with the school because they believed in supporting the school they so loved. Since then, the program has blossomed over the years with a formation of an executive body comprising of 15 Board of Directors to oversee the operations of the program.

The Canada chapter is one of a number of chapters outside of Jamaica. The others are based in New York and Florida. All three chapters may work collaboratively in service to Meadowbrook.

Meet Our Board

Wayne Swaby (Class of 1983)

President

Who am I?: A foundational member of the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada Chapter who is committed to serving my alma mater for as long as I am able to.

Personal Perspective: The present could be seen as the intersection of the past and the future. Knowledge of the past can empower and enable the present to influence the future. While I am at this intersection, armed with the recognition of the past, I choose to help to guide the future by investing in the youth who will manage our tomorrow.

Why do I serve?: While it was my present, Meadowbrook High School provided me with some of the most important tools that until this present time, continue to help me to build a future. I am therefore indebted to it and as such, feel a sense of obligation to give back to it.

Favourite quote: “Take life easy doc, you won’t get out alive anyway” (Bugs Bunny’s version of an Elbert Hubbard quote)

MARHA-JO LEWIS

Vice-President

Who am I?: An enthusiastic member of the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada Chapter who is committed to serving her alma mater to ensure its continued success.

Personal Perspective: Collaboration is an opportunity for all to work together for the betterment and sustainability of any program. I believe in teamwork and its power to achieve greatness.

Why do I serve?: If there was ever a chance to turn back the hands of time, I would attend MHS all over again. I treasure the time spent: the skills, knowledge, relationships and experiences afforded me to be the best version of myself; serving allows me the chance to help afford the same holistic opportunities to present students.

Favourite quote: “It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice"

CALIESHA BAKER (CLASS OF 2005)

Secretary

I enjoy learning about different cultures, reading motivational books, and having a great time with family and friends. My career started with me being an Educator, then I transitioned to the Administrative side of the education field. I'm pleased to be working with the team to add to our beloved Meadowbrook High.

Always remember to keep a positive attitude toward change.

AVERY SHIELDS-MORGAN (CLASS OF 1985)

Director

Who am I?: As a foundational member of the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada Chapter, I consider it a privilege to have had the good fortune to be of service to my beloved alma mater since 2006.

I graduated with the illustrious cohort 1985 and fondly recall my days at Meadowbrook. Whilst most are pleasant memories, I remain conscious of the persistent struggles that some of student endured. I was no exception to those struggles and my personal experiences makes it easy for me to appreciate what it means to for a student to go without lunch and basic supplies required to get through the school day. It is therefore not surprising that my favourite Canada chapter imitative at Meadowbrook is the lunch program.

I serve in the capacity of a fully committed Director at Large and look forward to many years of service to my beloved Meadowbrook High School.

MICHAEL GRANT (CLASS OF 2001)

Director

Meadowbrook High School helped to shape the person I am today, and out of appreciation, I have chosen to serve its Alumni to help shape and inspire other Meadowbrookians to take up the mantle and give back to make another person's future even better. "Ita splendeat lux vestra" is a motto that gives meaning to how I serve others, I believe we are all connected, and to achieve greatness we must work together.

SEMONE COGHIEL

Director

It is my honour to serve the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada Chapter as an Associate Member. I am motivated by the great camaraderie and embrace the opportunity to give back to our Jamaica youth through this service.

I believe that guided by certain moral values and ethics, individuals should assume responsibility and do what they can to benefit others and society at large. I accept and appreciate the virtues of altruism and work to uphold such virtues by participating in the noble endeavours of the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada Chapter.

FIONA GOLDSMITH

Director

I am honoured to serve with my fellow Meadowbrookians to enhance and enrich the lives of our students at Meadowbrook High School. This year I will serve as the Treasurer; along with the other members of this Association we aim to take this Association to the next level. Not to sound too cliche’, but I fervently believe children are our future, so investing resources now, is investing in the future for a better world.

I am a mother to two boys and I love teaching and nurturing them; being a parent is an opportunity to mold our society and I take that very seriously. In a sense serving with the MHSPSA can be likened to an opportunity to nurture great minds and together we can achieve great things.

I am a reader, I love outdoor activities, but I feel like I am a homebody just as much, I love to learn and am very engaging, so good conversations are my forte. My work experience is in Accounting and Financial Reporting, so I should be good at numbers (smile).

My pet peeve: Procrastination. It is really the thief of time; the truth is, you can’t gain anything if you do nothing. So just do it!

BEVERLY CLARKE (CLASS OF 1983)

Director

A great accomplishment in life is to give back to our community. My high school days are memorable and that is due to both my fellow students and the faculty. I wanted to help my Alma Mater so others may enjoy their days also. I have been with the Meadowbrook High School Alumni (Canadian Chapter) since its inception, and I am proud of the help that we provide to the school and thus the student.

DONNA-MARIE CAMPBELL

Director

A “ Think outside the box” Accounting Manager who loves the city, culture and cocktails. However, I most enjoy the peace of drinking a nice glass of wine while reading a book and being on the outskirts of the city where I reside with my family. They are my world. I am excited about my role on the Meadowbrook Alumni Canadian chapter leadership team and is looking forward to connecting with you all.

DONNETTE BARRETT (Class of 1987)

Director

I was created to serve my Creator as well as my fellow brothers and sisters. I appreciate the simple things of life as there is so much beauty in simplicity. I strive to bloom with excellence wherever I am planted. I am forever grateful to my former teachers and fellow alumni of our noble alma mater for their roles in my life.

It is my greatest honour to serve as a member at large in this Canadian chapter, whose mission is to support the development of Meadowbrook High School students, enabling them to let their lights shine.

JUDITH KEEN-BINGHAM

Director

Left MHS in 1975 to go to the UK. Later migrated to Canada where my life was established.

I am a wife of 42 years, a mother, grandmother to 4 and a GEM RN in a busy hospital in Toronto. I have been a teacher to nursing students in the past after achieving my Master's degree in Nursing Education. I am active in Medical missions in tbe Caribbean and travel with a family owned company called CameoMissions.org.

I love to write and have a few books that I am about to test in the market and hope to be an entrepreneur in the bear future. As a Hebrew woman, there is a need for me to give back to my community and to help my people, and with that, I am in the process of educating a young man in Haiti and another in Brazil.

Life has so much to offer and my aim is to capture and to share as I venture through.

I shall pass through this world but once, any good thing that I can do for others,

Let me not defer nor neglect it,

For I shall not pass this way again.

This is my mantra.

CRAIG CHIN-YEE

Director

In 2009, my decision to join the Meadowbrook High School Alumni Association, Canada was purely a drive and commitment to give back by advancing and enhancing the Meadowbrook High school community.

It is my belief that the level of support provided by Alumni Associations is very critical both to ensure the continuity of social development of the students and by large ensuring the school has the necessary resources to holistically support the students.

I am encouraged and driven by the school's motto Ita Splendeat Lux Vestra (Let Your Light So Shine) and will love to see more past students join our efforts and become honorary ambassadors of our beloved Meadowbrook High School Jamaica thereby fostering the social, physical, spiritual and mental development of the students.

"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"– Napoleon Hill

DOREEN SWABY

Director

Dedicating time to support a cause I am passionate about is something I will never regret. It has always been my desire to help others and to see them succeed. Being an Associate Member of the MHSAA has given me the opportunity to familiarize myself with, connect and work very closely with groups of people who share the same goals and aspirations.

I am honoured to have been chosen to fulfil the role of Director. I will continue to work hard to grow in this role and to give my all towards the betterment of this great institution

What are you waiting for?

Become A Member