All roads led to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Labor Day weekend to convene the 20th session of the Ricks Institute Alumni Association. Amidst the pomp and circumstance, long gowns and grand booboos, black suits and bows, former students of Ricks Institute assembled in Charlotte to take care of the business of the future of the association, the needs of the students at Ricks and the election of new officers.

The first day of our convention began very slowly with hellos, how are you and good to see you again. After we exchanged pleasantries and gave hugs to comrades we had not seen for a while, we settled down to receive reports from our secretary, finance officer and our out-going Chairman, Dr. Zwannah Dukuly. Dr. Dukuly had chaired the governance of this association for the last four years much to the satisfaction of its members. Now he would be turning over to the newly elected officers. Dr. Dukuly’s report focused on the issues at Ricks—updates about the status of the financial condition and specifically a request from the principal for assistance in the renovation of the elementary girls dormitory that had been completely destroyed during the wars in Liberia. 

There was much discussion and concern for the legitimate role of the association in the operation of the affairs of the school. We heard from many who had gone back to Liberia and who had visited Ricks that Principal Menjay was doing a great job and that Ricks was once again gaining its status as a high achieving school. The members agreed that while there may be much room for improvement in our relationship building amongst the parties involved—the principal and his administration at Ricks, the Liberian Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and ourselves, we had reasons to celebrate. We also had a reason to look at the strategies of the past and begin to create some new vision that would propel us to the future. We all recognized the enormous sacrifices that each of us had made over the years to get us to where we are; but the commitment to take us to where we need to be and the children and their future that empower us must be what drive all of our efforts.

The day ended with the election of new officers and with the vibrancy we sing about every time we raise our school’s ode in song. “With God before us success we are sure onward and upward the victors we go therefore with uplifted eyes we are sure to win the prize” and win we must for all of those coming after us.

The weekend also gave us three nights to relax and enjoy ourselves doing what we do best and that is dancing the night away, eating some good old Liberian dishes, participating in the sports activities and then attending the Chairman’s banquet. We were delightfully surprised to have our French Instructor, Mr. Chamont Bock and Mr. and Mrs. Evans who had provided excellent service to the students at Ricks. It was very important that we recognize the contributions of those who over the years had provided the leadership to our organization and that we did in grand style. Seven handsome Liberian men and one beautiful Liberian woman past chairpersons of the association graced the platform at the banquet. After special acknowledgement and highlights of each person and the contribution each had made to the association, Mr. Bock was only too pleased to adorn their dress with medals. He spoke of each one with pride and with words of praise. We all offer our appreciation for such talents and dedication to our association while we look to the future with a new Chairman, Mr. Dave Thomas. The night rolled on until late night, dancing and enjoying the company of each other. 

The next day, Sunday was as usual the most important day for us because that is when we come together to gave thanks to the one God who had brought us so far. We sang hymns of praise and heard a challenging message from one of our own, Rev. Bropleh. His message was timely, challenging us to press on, holding fast to the values that made us who we were and setting goals that will transform our communities where we are and especially at home in Liberia. We thank the young men who graced our presence and lifted our spirits with their wonderful melodies.

We ended the convention as we began it with farewells and a bientos, already talking about the next convention.