covers 2015final9-7_Layout 1 7/10/15 6:30 PM Page 1 th th International International 24 Convention 24 Convention 24 - 25 July 2015 24 - 25 July 2015 International Convention - July 2015 th International Convention August - 2014 rd 23 Brummana High School Old Association Scholars 24 Congratulations to everyone on this occasion A United, Visible, and Affluent from an Old Scholar residing in Dubai Global Network 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 46 REUNIONS By Mona Karam ’00 OSA Community Manager Class of ’66 Reunion – October 2014 Class of ’66 Reunion held in Sidon, Lebanon, in October 2014 A Day at the Park in Dubai – November 2014 Stephanie Malhame ’05, Rita Barakat ’00, Mireille Azar ’00, Amine Abou Jawdeh ’00, Suzy Malhame ’02, Naji Hawayek ’00 46 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 47 47 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 48 REUNIONS By Tanya Nammour Gulf Chapter Heads’ Meeting – 7 November 2014 OSA General Manager A Gulf Chapter Heads’ meeting, led by President and previous BHS teacher and Head of the English Nazih Khattar ’66, was held on 7 November 2014 to Department -— Mrs Tanya Nammour. Mr Hani Aboul update all the chapter heads and their newly Jabine ’61, newly elected Chairman of the BHS Board appointed deputies on the latest OSA news; to of Governors, was also introduced and especially reinforce the vision, mission and objectives of the honoured during that day. OSA; and to plan ways of moving these forward. The productive meeting was followed by a cocktail President Khattar took this opportunity to also present reception at President Khattar’s residence and by dinner. the newly appointed general manager of the OSA — I SERVE 48 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 49 REUNIONS 49 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 50 REUNIONS USA & Canada Chapters’ Reunions – December 2014 In his efforts to reactivate and revive the OSA membership abroad, last December President Nazih Khattar ’66 undertook trips to Montreal, Canada, and Los Angeles, USA, where he invited old scholars residing in and around Montreal and Los Angeles to dinner. On both occasions, those attending were delighted to be reunited with, or to become acquainted with fellow old scholars living in the same area. I SERVE By Tanya Nammour OSA General Manager 50 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 51 51 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 52 REUNIONS By Mona Karam ’00 Classes of ’99 & ’00 Reunion on 26 December 2014 OSA Community Manager Since graduating from BHS, it has been customary for what has become of their former students. the classes of ’99 and ’00 to get together at least once a year, usually in December. Those who attended the gathering were delighted to th see each other, especially that many students were This past December marked our 15 year of surprised by their teachers’ presence. As Mrs Rima graduation, and to make it more memorable, we Habib’s ’82 email below shows, the feedback on the decided to hold it at the OSA Clubhouse. The cherry event was excellent, and its success is living proof that on top of the cake was to also invite our former a BHS bond is eternal. teachers, whom we hadn’t seen in fifteen years. They gladly accepted, as they, too, wanted to see I SERVE 52 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 53 REUNIONS 53 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 54 REUNIONS Classes of ’99 & ’00 Reunion on 26 December 2014 54 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 55 REUNIONS Tribute to Karim Baz '00 55 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 56 REUNIONS Class of ’90 - A Reunion After 25 Years! Thanks to WhatsApp® and again and as if the past twenty five years hadn't gone Jihad Mezher's brilliant by. Within hours, the group grew to 9 grown men idea, the debauchery texting each other away in a totally “unprofessional” weekend at Camil Sader’s and childish frenzy. in Miami, South Beach, The weekend of 27 February to 2 March 2015 was became reality. Laced with the date when 7 of us, pictured below ended up innuendos from the movie meeting in South Florida. The Hangover, the Wolfpack prepared for The reunion was a great success. We all enjoyed By Dr Carlos Bechara ’90 what would be a long seeing each other; some of us hadn’t seen each other overdue reunion of a in more than twenty years. It felt like we were lifetime. Roger Francis was continuing where we had left off all those years ago. leaving Dubai to meet his wife, Safa, in Los Angeles The weekend was eventful and memorable. It for the birth of their son, Luca, which confirmed the included meals at elite restaurants, time spent at need to meet. beach resorts, South Beach Clubs, and in a privately rented villa. Once the Wolfpack group was created on ® Whatsapp , within minutes mayhem ensued. We Often did we catch ourselves chanting, "Oh, we won't couldn't control our boyish excitement nor our forget Brummana School, and won't let you forget!" giggling. It was like being in high school all over I SERVE From left to right: Camil Sader, Jihad Mezher, Roger Francis, Carlos Bechara, Carl Kamal Yagizi, Michael Kühn, and Roger Balech 56 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 57 57 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 58 REUNIONS OSA Gulf Reunion 6-7 March 2015 Chapter Head and Master of Ceremonies, Zeki Farra ‘61, warmly welcomed all those present and introduced OSA President Nazih Khattar ‘66, who gave an update on the latest developments and activities of the OSA. In his turn, President Khattar introduced beloved former English teacher and old-scholar-by-adoption John Kirkbright, who entertained us all with his vivid By Tanya Nammour and witty account of his first arrival in Lebanon many OSA General Manager years ago. The Gulf Reunion, held in Dubai on 6 and 7 March 2015, gathered together old scholars mainly from Then, it was BHS Principal Dr Walid El Khoury’s turn Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and to give a presentation on the school’s most recent the UAE. It was heartwarming to witness the old activities, developments, and achievements, as well as scholars’ delight and excitement at seeing each other the educational initiatives already taken to ensure that and spending time together again. Approximately 80 the school continues to thrive and prosper. old scholars and their partners attended the events. The genuine pleasure and fellow feeling were At this point, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, infectious and lasted throughout the weekend. Hani Aboul Jabine ‘61, announced that Dr El Khoury’s term in office had recently been extended There were three major events bringing the old for a further two years. He also added that the new scholar community together over the two days. On multi-purpose hall in the recently completed the Friday morning, a General Assembly was held at Al Rizkallah Building Extension had been given the name Murooj Rotana Hotel, followed by lunch. UAE of Khoury Hall in recognition of Dr El Khoury’s 58 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 59 REUNIONS fourteen years of service and dedication to the school. This was followed by a brief discussion during which various members suggested a number of initiatives to further advance the goals of the OSA, and for which President Khattar was thankful. A leisurely and delicious lunch ended the productive morning. Almost twice the number of old scholars and their partners attended the gala dinner later in the evening, at Eau Zone Restaurant, at the Royal Mirage Hotel. Apart from the scrumptious dinner and the beautiful beach setting, a perfect musical fusion of oriental and western songs and tunes added to the genial and joyful atmosphere. It would have been difficult to imagine a better ending to the day. Fewer old scholars participated in the Desert Safari planned for the next afternoon, an event which 59 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 60 REUNIONS OSA Gulf Reunion 6-7 March 2015 definitely was not for the faint-hearted. The majority thoroughly enjoyed the roller-coaster dune-bashing adventure the journey to the camp offered. The remaining wiser members — yours truly included — opted to reach the desert camp using a less stomach-churning and limb-jerking route. Needless to say that the desert landscape set against the sunset was another enchanting scene to appreciate. Having finally reached our destination in one piece, we settled down to another pleasant evening of food and entertainment. The Oriental barbecue at the camp could not compare with previous meals but was quite good by desert standards. The entertainment, which included a skirted twirling dervish, and a talented and voluptuous belly-dancer, provided a suitably enjoyable finale to the lively weekend. I SERVE 60 2015 1-136_1-91 7/10/15 7:21 PM Page 61 REUNIONS UK Chapter Reunion – June 2015 In line with President Nazih Khattar's '66 initiative to establish a UK OSA Chapter, a small gathering took place in London on 6 June 2015. Many who could not come to this gathering for different reasons expressed their willingness to attend a future reunion.