The BOCC Youth Group
In July 1992 Barbados Overseas Community-Canada Inc. Youth group was formed as an extended arm to provide a learning curve for the youth to know more about their culture and heritage. The group, at that time, comprised of over 25 young girls and boys performing folk and African/Caribbean dances under the direction of Mr. Keith Pascall, Choreographer.
In 1995, the youth along with other members visited Barbados on a cultural and educational tour, mainly for the youth. The trip proved to be rewarding for the group and gave them more exposure to their roots. The Barbados Tourism Authority in Barbados provided the transportation to places like Harrison’s Cave, Codrington College and Farley Hill. You can imagine the response when they were told the next stop after Farley Hill would be Foul Bay. The experience of visiting Foul Bay was nothing they imagined; sun, picnic and sea bathing were some of the activities.
The group has since gone through many changes since 1995. However, they continue to meet regularly on Friday evenings at Christ Church Scarborough Village Anglican Church, 155 Markham Road, Scarborough, where practices are held. The group continues to perform throughout the Toronto area and beyond, in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and as far as Barbados. At the request of the Community Folk Arts Council of Toronto, the group were often asked to perform at various community events including performing for a group of seniors and physically challenged. The group have hosted brunches, educational workshops and participated in the now defunct “Know Ya Bim” competition.
The group continues to experience many changes again and again. We have seen youth start as early as 4 years and remain until commencing University.
In 1995, the youth along with other members visited Barbados on a cultural and educational tour, mainly for the youth. The trip proved to be rewarding for the group and gave them more exposure to their roots. The Barbados Tourism Authority in Barbados provided the transportation to places like Harrison’s Cave, Codrington College and Farley Hill. You can imagine the response when they were told the next stop after Farley Hill would be Foul Bay. The experience of visiting Foul Bay was nothing they imagined; sun, picnic and sea bathing were some of the activities.
The group has since gone through many changes since 1995. However, they continue to meet regularly on Friday evenings at Christ Church Scarborough Village Anglican Church, 155 Markham Road, Scarborough, where practices are held. The group continues to perform throughout the Toronto area and beyond, in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and as far as Barbados. At the request of the Community Folk Arts Council of Toronto, the group were often asked to perform at various community events including performing for a group of seniors and physically challenged. The group have hosted brunches, educational workshops and participated in the now defunct “Know Ya Bim” competition.
The group continues to experience many changes again and again. We have seen youth start as early as 4 years and remain until commencing University.
Susan Richards-Morgan
SUSAN RICHARDS-MORGAN
Susan Richards-Morgan was the first President of BOCC Youth Group and after a number of years of working with the group and giving back to the Association and the community, Susan is now married to Paul and together they have two sons Kadeem and Jayden. Susan supports the group on occasions when time permits.
Scholarship Recipients
To assist these young people as they pursue their dreams, BOCC have assisted them with their education by providing them with scholarship until they graduate. Below are the names of the scholarships recipients to date.
JULIET COLLYMORE
Juliet Collymore was a member of the Youth Group since inception back in 1992. She was one of the premier dancers of the dance group which performed on several occasions for charitable organizations through the greater Toronto area. Juliet was part of the group that went on a successful and rewarding visit to Barbados back in 1995.
Juliet has successfully completed her education at Durham College in Private Investigation and Law and Security with honours. Juliet is now employed with the Toronto Police Service specializing in Automated Fingerprinting Information System and plans to further her career with the Toronto Police Service.
Juliet has successfully completed her education at Durham College in Private Investigation and Law and Security with honours. Juliet is now employed with the Toronto Police Service specializing in Automated Fingerprinting Information System and plans to further her career with the Toronto Police Service.
LIANNE BOYCE
Lianne was a member of the Youth Group since inception back in 1992. She was one of the avid and most improved dancers of the dance group which performed on several occasions for charitable organizations throughout the greater Toronto area. Lianne was also part of the group that went on a successful and rewarding visit to Barbados back in 1995.
Lianne graduated from Centennial College with honours in Early Childhood Education. She is also a 2009 graduate of York University with a B.A. in Linguistics and a Certificate in French. Lianne is now teaching in Saudi Arabia.
Lianne graduated from Centennial College with honours in Early Childhood Education. She is also a 2009 graduate of York University with a B.A. in Linguistics and a Certificate in French. Lianne is now teaching in Saudi Arabia.
DANIELLE ADAMS
Danielle was also a member of the Youth Group since inception. She was one of the most determined dancers of the group which performed on several occasions for charitable organizations through the greater Toronto area. Danielle was also one of the dancers who went on a successful and rewarding visit to Barbados back in 1995.
Danielle attended George Brown College where she acquired a degree in the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Councilor Advocate Program. She continued her education in Psychology at the University of Windsor and is at present pursuing a career in counseling youth and children.
Danielle attended George Brown College where she acquired a degree in the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Councilor Advocate Program. She continued her education in Psychology at the University of Windsor and is at present pursuing a career in counseling youth and children.
JULIO COLLYMORE
Julio Collymore was one of the original members of the Youth Group since inception. Originally he was one of the dancers in the dance group but soon discovered that his talent was most rewarding as a drummer. This decision proved to be true for Julio, and soon became the lead drummer, while teaching the younger ones the art of drumming. The drummers became an integral part of the dance group and accompanied the dancers wherever they performed. He was also part ensemble that went on a successful and rewarding visit to Barbados back in 1995.
At a very early age Julio showed an interest in music and was encouraged by his piers to pursue music as a career. After successfully completing three years at Cambrian College with a diploma in Musical Performance and Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Julio enrolled and is now attending Teacher’s College at the University of Windsor. On completion of his studies, Julio aspires to be a music teacher.
At a very early age Julio showed an interest in music and was encouraged by his piers to pursue music as a career. After successfully completing three years at Cambrian College with a diploma in Musical Performance and Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Julio enrolled and is now attending Teacher’s College at the University of Windsor. On completion of his studies, Julio aspires to be a music teacher.
DAMAR ADAMS
Damar joined the group very early after inception as a drummer and accompanied the dancers wherever they performed for charitable organizations through the greater Toronto area. He demonstrated a love for drumming and was soon teaching the younger drummers the art of drumming. He became an integral part of the group even while attending college.
After completing a three year program in Accounting at Seneca College, Damar enrolled and is now attending the University of Durham and plans a career in Accounting and Finance.
After completing a three year program in Accounting at Seneca College, Damar enrolled and is now attending the University of Durham and plans a career in Accounting and Finance.
SADE CRICHLOW-CLARKE
Sade Crichlow-Clarke joined the dance group much later and immediately showed great enthusiasm and love for folk dancing, which did not come as a surprise since she had been a dancer in Barbados with Aquarius Dancers and Pinelands Creative Workshop. She soon became an integral part of the dance ensemble and recently demonstrated leadership for the group.
Sade is attending Humber College pursuing a diploma in Esthetics and plans to return to Barbados and open her own business on completion.
Sade is attending Humber College pursuing a diploma in Esthetics and plans to return to Barbados and open her own business on completion.
