SakerPride - "Telling the Saker Story & MORE"
THE LEGACY LIVES ON ...
... SAKER CARATS KEEP THE
SAKER FLAME BURNING BRIGHT!!
THERE ARE SOME INSTITUTIONS ABOUT WHICH IT COULD BE SAID - AT THE WORST, THAT THEY ARE LIVING ON PAST GLORIES, OR AT BEST, THAT THEY ARE RESTING ON THEIR LAURELS. THANK GOD THAT IS VERY FAR FROM THE CASE WHEN IT COMES TO SAKER BAPTIST COLLEGE!
OUR CHILDREN, (CHRISTENED "CARATS"), ARE UPHOLDING AND PRESERVING - IF NOT EMBELLISHING THE BRILLIANCE, SAVOIR FAIRE & SKILLS HANDED DOWN AND PASSED ON TO THEM BY THEIR MOTHERS.
THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO TELLING THE COMPELLING, INSPIRATIONAL & CAPTIVATING STORIES OF THE AMAZING CHILDREN BORN TO SAKERETTE MOMS, SOME OF WHOM ARE BONA FIDE SAKERETTES THEMSELVES; TRUE SAKERETTES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT!
MORE CARAT SUCCESS STORIES CONTINUE ON CARAT GLINTS2 PAGE @
2nd LIEUTENANT ACHA JIDE NDANDO
GRADUATE OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT
I unabashedly choose to begin this particular Write Up with a "FULL DISCLOSURE" Statement: The dashing, tall, elegant & handsome OFFICER & GENTLEMAN whose picture you are looking at is MY NEPHEW, Acha Jide Ndando, born to my Sister, Class of 79's Namondo (Didi) Ndando nee Mbiwan, and her husband of 20 years, Victor Ndando, on December 21 1993 - a month after his cousin, George Acha Monjimbo. They were both given the name of their exceptionally BRILLIANT Uncle who passed on 12 years before they were born, in the hope and with the expectation that they would do his name and memory PROUD. Hard to look at both of them - particularly at this one in Uniform, who might just turn out to be a U.S. Army General someday, and not think "MISSION ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED"!!!!
The UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, more commonly known as WEST POINT, from whose Preparatory School Acha graduated yesterday, Saturday, May 18 2013, is RANKED NUMBER 1 in the list of THE 10 MOST PRESTIGIOUS MILITARY SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD, ahead of The Royal Military Academy SANDHURST in the U.K. (#4), and The Special Military School of SAINT-CYR in France (#5). When it comes to the race/ethnicity factor, here are the Stats, which should explain to you why I keep telling my poor, meticulous-to-a-fault-like-her-dear-Dad, Sister, to stop bothering to add unnecessary captions like "ACHA is 2nd from the left on the 3rd row" to the pictures she sends us from time to time!!:
"The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.31% White, 9.09% African American, 0.50% Native American, 3.35% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.56% of the population."
Don't get my point? Then you look at the picture below and tell me if you would need a caption to spot our Carat in the Class Picture!! SEE WHAT I MEAN?
When you have a MOM like this one who "Face Books", Texts, Calls, and Prays for you CEASELESSLY, it would take A WHOLE LOT OF EFFORT to FAIL oh!!!!!!
PROUD & EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE PARENTS, Didi & Victor NDANDO!
If you are tempted to doubt their COMMITMENT to and SUPPORT for this Son of theirs, please click on the ICON below to see what lengths they had to go through to get themselves ready for the Graduation Ceremonies.
Quite an ELABORATE lesson on ETIQUETTE that we all could benefit from!
(Even Ma Mbiwan & her "TABLE MANNERS" & "HOW TO BEHAVE & DRESS" rules, was nowhere near this thorough! 19 whole pages covering stuff ranging from "DON'T SPIT" to How to respond to formal toasts, which, by the way, does NOT include ululations of the "weeleeleeleelee" kind some of us are used to oh! AH NGANA!!
With yesterday's graduation now behind him, AJ, whose "Saker Connection" credentials also include Nephew to Class of '71's Genevieve Ndando, and Cousin to Class of '92's Sylvie Ejedepang Koge, is poised to take on the 4 more years it will take him to graduate as a full fledged Officer, in 2017. We certainly wish him GODSPEED, confident that HE who has begun this good work in him, will carry it on to completion!!
You've come a mighty long way, AJ, my boy, and not once have you given us any reason whatsoever, to lose sleep worrying over ANYTHING, EVER!!! Instead you have made us so very PROUD. Don't quite know how things work
"up yonder", but my guess is that your namesake, and all 4 of your Grand Parents cheered themselves hoarse to see you shine the way you did yesterday, and something tells me there's going to be a heck of a lot more to "HOLLER" about in the days, months & years ahead!
GODSPEED Nephew!!
With his BELOVED Granny,
(Late MA MBIWAN, RIP), who taught him A WHOLE LOT, right from the cradle, including how to brush his teeth!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OXFORD GRAD,
SOPHIE ELIZABETH DUKER
PLUCKY CLASS OF 1977's IRENE TAMAJONG's first baby, SOPHIE ELIZABETH DUKER, graduated on Saturday, May 4 2013, from OXFORD UNIVERSITY, with, JE VOUS EN PRIE, DEAR LADIES & GENTS, MESSIEURS ET DAMES, a 1st CLASS DISTINCTION in English and French!!!
TALK ABOUT A SPLENDID (EARLY) MOTHER'S DAY GIFT!!
She is currently interning as a producer for documentaries, game shows, comedies, etc. for British TV... watch this space, next stop - Hollywood producer! To God be all the Glory & Praise!
The GRAD & her PROUD MOM, PLUCKY CLASS OF '77's IRENE TAMAJONG!
Jan. 23, 2013
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Chris Hegngi, a four-year letter winner on the Ohio State men's soccer team, was selected in the 2013 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supplemental Draft held Tuesday from the league's offices in New York. Hegngi, the 2011 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, was taken by the Portland Timbers, with the third pick of the second round.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Hegngi was a four-year starter at Ohio State. He played in all 79 career games, making 77 starts, and had 18 goals and 11 assists to his credit. He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2011 after leading the Buckeyes and the conference in scoring with nine goals in 19 games. Hegngi's career goals and points totals are in the Top 10 all-time at Ohio State, while his shots are second in program history.
CHRIS HEGNGI
(Son of Class of 1981's Yolanda Nokuri Hegngi)
Selected by Portland Timbers
Buckeye forward/midfielder taken in MLS Supplemental Draft
SHEILA MEH,
A MODEL IN HER OWN RIGHT!
Not that long ago, (and today still, to some extent), any youth who dared venture to make a name and living for themselves outside the “accepted”, “ORTHODOX” professions such as Lawyer, Doctor or Engineer had their work cut out for them! One need only listen to the TALENTED & VERY SUCCESSFUL PRINCE NICO MBARGA as he pleads “PAPA/MAMA MAKE YOU NO VEX OH! NA MUSIC BE MY BUSINESS”, to understand what the mindset was like, back then. Parents were known to have nervous breakdowns and to disown children who chose to be artists, considering them “disappointments”; the result being - and I am willing to bet good money on my premise, that there are lots of born poets wasting away as doctors in our hospitals, and hundreds of accomplished guitarists and singers spending many a DULL, LACK LUSTER day defending some criminal in a court of law, all because Pa and Ma threatened to throw themselves off a cliff had they insisted on pursuing their REAL and NATURAL God-endowed gifts and talents.
CARAT SHEILA, Thank God, does not have to deal with this kind of narrow mindedness, since her MOM, Class of 1985’s BEATRICE (DADA) MASANGO has always been supportive. By dint of her hard work and her persistence in following her passion, SHEILA is gradually but SURELY becoming a force to be reckoned with in the modeling industry. She fell in love with modeling at age ten and hasn’t stopped thinking about it since. She started by studying various top models and fashion designers that have helped shaped her style, such as Coco Chanel, Iman, Naomi Campbell, and Joan Smalls.
TWIN MAGAZINE PHOTO SHOOT!
TWIN MAGAZINE is the brainchild of ex-Lula magazine creative director Becky Smith, and a handpicked international team that includes British Vogue’s Aimee Farrell (features and online director), art editor Francesca Gavin (Dazed, The Guardian, Vogue) and fashion editors Celestine Cooney, Naomi Miller and Alastair McKimm. Twin is a cloth-bound, hard-backed biannual that showcases art, culture and feminist features alongside freshly commissioned fashion photography
When she was just 16, Sheila decided to channel her dreams into action by shooting with local photographers to get her portfolio started. With the support of her parents, she was able to get the right photographer to help her get signed to Privileged Model Management in the summer of 2011. Sheila has been with Privileged for almost two years now, and has established herself in the Minneapolis community working with great designers, photographers, and other models. She even landed a job with TARGET, to promote new products as one of their models as well as a spread in TWIN Magazine (an online magazine) to display 60’s styles.
The road doesn’t stop here for Sheila. She hopes to rise to new and loftier heights and work with bigger movers and shakers in the fashion industry. Sheila aspires, by the grace of God, to travel widely and be featured in reputable magazines and fashion shows in the days ahead. The future looks bright for Sheila Meh who is just 19 and MAKING THE DEAN'S LIST at her college, by the way!
“I love modeling and making art with fashion garments and I love meeting new people” Sheila says. “God has given me a great talent and I want to share it with everyone. This isn’t something I want to stop. I can see myself doing this for years and years.”
I am excited to see where Sheila’s future leads and trust that she will represent not just the Cameroonian Community extremely well, but the African community at large, as well. My hope also, in publishing this modest Article, is that it will, on one hand, encourage our CARATS to follow their passion, and on the other, convince the parents who still need to "get with the program", that SUCCESS & FULFILMENT COME IN A KALEIDOSCOPE OF SHAPES & FORMS!!!
Not much else to add to this but an enthusiastic:
GO, SHEILA BABY, GO!!!
MOTHER & DAUGHTER!
Dada & Sheila
TWIN MAGAZINE PHOTO SHOOT!
SHINNING PRACTICALLY FROM THE CRADLE ...
SAKERETTE-IN-WAITING
MISS KENZA MOTANGA,
DAUGHTER OF CLASS OF '95/97's MARJA ETCHI MOTANGA
... and (GRAND)NIECE/COUSIN TO A TON OF MBIWAN, TAKOR & IYOK SAKERETTES,
Makes her glowing DEBUT in the TAMPICO Fruit Juice Commercial that just hit Cameroon's Airwaves!
WAY TO GO, BABY GIRL!!!
(Please CLICK on Image Below to View Ad)
If you are unable to View The Video Clip for whatever reason, PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK:
CARAT SOLDIER
EDMOND FONGANG
The Graduation Ceremony of CARAT EDMOND FONGANG from basic combat training took place in Oklahoma on October 24th and 25th 2013. PROUD PARENTS, PLUCKY CLASS OF '77's FLORENCE MANGWI FONGANG nee NJU and CAT FONGANG flew in from GUINEA BISSAU and DOUALA respectively, to witness the ceremony LIVE!!!
And then you know how we SAKERETTES do now?! We are ALWAYS on hand to "MOAH" as in, "AMPLIFY" a SISTAH's JOY oh!!! This particular time, Class of '78's Dr. Joso Ekei TANIFUM nee OKU and Class of '79's Mary NGO nee AKANJI had the Pleasure and Honor!!!
The young soldier is off to San Antonio for COMBAT MEDIC TRAINING, and Proud MOM's heading back to Guinea Bissau. As for elated dad, he is still digesting the event with friends and family members in the U.S.
I have to mention that this CARAT is nephew to a whooooooole bunch of NJU & AWUNTI Sakerettes oh! From Sis Prudence Awunti, Sis Adelaide Bih Nju, Sarah Nju (Dinga Nyoh), Mbinwi Awunti (Waindim), all the way down to Nanjui Awunti ...
CONGRATS TO THE RAT & CAT and GODSPEED TO YOU, DEAR CARAT EDMOND!!
Class of '78's Dr. Joso Ekei TANIFUM nee OKU (2nd from right and Class of '79's Mary NGO, nee AKANJI (far right in red jacket)
PRACTICE, (At Home on Sunday Morning, November 10 2013), makes ...
CARAT EKEP NKWELLE,
(14 year old 9th Grader at Duke Ellington School of the Arts)
CLASS OF '81's MARU ETTA NKWELLE'S DAUGHTER, PERFORMS DONNIE McCLURKIN'S "STAND"!
... PERFECT (An hour later, At DUNAMIS Life Chapel!)
If you did not know it already, this 20-year-and-counting High School Teacher can assure you that, quoting scripture, witnessing and singing gospel music is NOT on the average teen's list of favorite things to do. That's why, when I woke up in the Nkwelle household last Sunday morning to the strains of my favorite Gospel Artist's song, "STAND", and heard this extraordinary female voice that I knew was NOT Maru Nkwelle's, singing along, I had to race upstairs in my pajamas to "investigate". The clip directly below is what I did see and hear, and I cannot begin to tell you how much it blessed me! Hope it does the same for you, even though the recording comes to an abrupt end because Ma Monjimbo's first born child's "Good Morning, Mummy" call came barging through and halted the cell phone recording! Not to worry though, as further below is a full clip of the performance that was being rehearsed!! Hope you're BLESSED by both the MELODY & THE MESSAGE in BOTH PERFORMANCES! And as for our Dear CARAT, EKEP, God Bless You, Dear!!
Plucky Class of '77's Sis (Dr.) ELIZABETH ENAKA AKO and her 2 Medical Doctor Sons!
(Big Bro and his "falla-back"!! Sure gives a whole new meaning to the "following in someone's footsteps" concept!!) The CUSS graduate in the picture though, is one-month-shy-of-26 year old , Emmanuel Christian Ako Besseri, whose thesis was on Body Mass Index and its Outcomes in Pregnancy. ("Falla Back" - Forbang Ako, is doing his 7th Year in the University of Buea's School of Medicine, all set to graduate in 2014!!)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE - THE "RAT" herself, and the Two CARATS!!!
N.B. I have been very reliably informed that yet another Plucky Class of '77 member, Sis CATHERINE NDONGO ELATE, also proudly watched her son graduate as a Medical Doctor, on the same day, in the same ceremony! CONGRATS to her and to her CARAT as well oh!!
SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!!!
ONE SAKERETTE ... TWO CARAT DOCS!!!
FOR UNTO US A CARAT IS BORN!!!!
FIRSTBORN SON OF HIS MOTHER, CLASS OF 1977's Sis. ADELA GHOGOMU,
AT THE RIPE YOUNG AGE OF 53!!!
Glory, Glory, Sing Glory To GOD!!
Over 2000 years ago, a Miracle Birth took place in Bethlehem! Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and He was called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE!
Well, At 8:34 on Monday, November 4th 2013, another Miracle Birth occurred, this time at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD - USA. Our very own Sister, ADELA GHOGOMU, (Graduating Class of 1977), gave birth to her firstborn son, and named him:
First Name (after her 2 brothers): YEYUNG-CHOFON (God's Abundance - Voice of The Almighty)
Middle Name (after her late Dad): MUKONG (Leader)
What did Angel Gabriel say to Mary all those years ago when he revealed her cousin Elizabeth's 6 month pregnancy with John The Baptist?
"For nothing is impossible with God"!!!!!!!!
(Luke 1:37)
IT WAS TRUE THEN, and IT IS STILL TRUE TODAY! GOD IS STILL VERY MUCH IN THE MIRACLE-WORKING BUSINESS, FOR HE IS ALPHA & OMEGA; BEGINNING & THE END!! MAY HIS NAME BE EXALTED FOR EVER!!!
WELCOME, CARAT
YEYUNG-CHOFON MUKONG AKWO-MBOE
aka "PRECIOUS"
Baby "PRECIOUS" with MOM & GRAND MA!
... AND THE ELECTED AND COMMISSIONED PRESIDENT OF THE CAMEROON NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL IS ...
CARAT JEAN-MARC AFESI MBAFOR!
The 30 Year Old Son of Class of 1977's Sis REGINA MBAH MBAFOR
and his Executive, were installed on Tuesday, January 14th 2014 in Yaounde.
CONGRATULATIONS & GODSPEED!!!
CAT, CARAT & RAT!!
Monsieur Le President (center), with his proud parents, Monsieur et Madame MBAFOR at his PALAIS DE CONGRÈS Installation Ceremony
Monsieur le president (Center) "surrounded" by the happy and proud MBAFOR family!
Left to Right: CARAT Daniel Ngende Mbafor (An astute Dubai Line Businessman), PLUCKY RAT Regina Bissona Mbah epouse Mbafor, CARAT President Jean-Marc Afesi Mbafor, CAT Professor Joseph Tanyi Mbafor (Organic Chemistry Professor at University of Yaounde I), and CARAT Paul Mbafor (Director of Eshcol Real Estate and Housing, who recently ran as popular UNDP candidate for elections for Mayor of Yaounde 6).
The Newspaper Article on the Event.
OUR BRILLIANT "CARA-RATS"!
O HOW THEY GLISTEN!!
Sure! We are bursting at the seams with PRIDE at the accomplishments of ALL our CARATS but I will admit, confident that I do NOT stand alone, that the PRIDE I feel goes up a notch or two when it comes to the achievements of this increasing-by-leaps-and-bounds, EXCLUSIVE GROUP OF CARATS who are also full fledged RATS in their own right!! (In fact, I have just about run out of space trying to list the names of just the few I am aware of, on the CONNECTIONS Page:
No offense to their Extraordinary "RAT" Moms, but it sure looks to me like some of these "CARA-RATS" are well poised to OUTSHINE them, if they haven't done so already, to everyone's delight, "RAT" Moms included! Take a look!!
THE GIFTED & TALENTED Ms DEBRA DEBS WINS 2013 "BEST FEMALE URBAN ARTIST"
CAMEROON ACADEMY SONNAH AWARDS!!
THE SONNAH AWARDS, the first ever Awards for Cameroonian Artists in Cameroon and abroad took place at the HILTON on the 29th of December 2013. Its organizers are Cameroonians who reside in the USA, the UNITED KINGDOM, and FRANCE.
CARAT DEBRA DEBS won in the category of the BEST FEMALE URBAN ARTIST for the year 2013. This was in respect and in recognition of the over 2,000,000 views of her "AFRICA HIGHER HIGHER" Video on YouTube which, by the way, is posted AT THE TOP OF THIS SAME PAGE as part of the Article that covers her career. KUDOS, GIRL!!
From MINNESOTA-U.S.A. With Love:
THE DYNAMIC Ms LABELLE NAMBANGI IN ACTION - AT GRASSROOTS LEVEL.
"GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY"
at the BUEA-based Teenage Mothers Institute
The STAR, CARA-RAT, DEBRA DEBS, poses with Proud and Supportive Mom, PIONEER Sis PLAYNE FUONDJING
On Stage at THE HILTON, receiving the Award!
HEY-EY!! Debra Debs and brother, CARAT Mbuongwong, pose after the awards.
LaBelle with 3 staff Members and Mr. Sulaiman, Director the Teen Mothers' Empowerment Center.
Speaking to the young girls at the Teen Mothers' Empowerment Center, Buea Cameroon. She's sure following in Mom MELISSA NAMBANGI'S "Serving The Community"/"Looking Out For Women" footsteps!!
Posing with some of the young ladies and their kids after the "talk".
The "Sign Board" Speaks for itself!!
Computer Literacy will definitely advance the EMPOWERING process!! Impressive!
THE NGAAJE QUEENS!!
MBANGE & KOUBE
THE HIP-HOP DIVA & THE CORPORATE POWER HOUSE
The Acclaimed, Two Time DHDF (Dallas Hip-Hop Dance Fest) STAR (MBANGE) and her DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS at AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) sister (KOUBE), asked their Catering Guru Mom, (Sis ROSELINE NZEGGE NGAAJE), what she wanted for Christmas. What you see above, is the "ANSWER" she gave them. Beats a dozen pairs of Louboutin Boots, a score of Louis Vuitton Purses and a Closet full of Coco Chanel Suits, hands down, any day, as in, NO CONTEST!!
CLICK TO WATCH THE ENTIRE 2 hr.10 MINUTE CAMEROON ACADEMY SONNAH AWARD CEREMONY - OR PART OF IT, Courtesy of CRTV.
(Haven't had the time to watch it all yet, but I was able to spot our very own Marie-Loise NGWA CHEKA sitting in the audience, in the company of other Dignitaries like Dr. Amadou Vamoulke (General Manager of CRTV), Veteran Journalist, Mr. Peter Essoka, Dr. Asheri Kilo Fofung, Technical Adviser No.1 at the Ministry of Arts & Culture, and others.
... AND HERE IS MADAME LE DIRECTEUR, KOUBE NGAAJE, "REPRESENTING" BIG TIME, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH "CIVICS" HOST, SENIOR ECONOMIST MICHAEL A. SHEA, AT AIM (ARLINGTON INDEPENDENT MEDIA STUDIO)
ARE WE PROUD OF HER OR WHAT??!!
SAKERETTE CARAT SISTERS,
LARISSA NDIEP ASSAM (Senior Prefect, Class of 2010) &
CHARLENE EFFA ASSAM (Class of 2012),
GIVE BACK TO S.B.C.
It certainly wasn't "business as usual"at S.B.C., on Monday, January 20th, 2014. It would have been enough of a thrill that two of the school's alumni - both daughters of Class of 1977's Mrs. Belinda Oben Assam had come visiting all the way from the State University of New York at Oswego but, what made their visit all the more SPECTACULAR is the fact that the 2 ladies did NOT come empty-handed! They actually came bearing the kind of gifts that are guaranteed to "keep on giving": BOOKS! Mind you, these are not books that someone had "graciously offered" them so they could simply pass along or "hand down". Larissa and Charlene who are part of their University's AFRICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION (ASO), had painstakingly RAISED THE FUNDS to purchase these books for the benefit of Saker Girls interested in pursuing their University Education in the United States, by organizing a charity masquerade ball. (See Flyer below.)
Larissa & Charlene Assam pose with Mr. Paul Luma Haddison, erstwhile Principal of Saker Baptist College & Current Education Secretary of The Cameroon Baptist Convention, and with Ms Stella Tonge Matuke, Current Principal of S.B.C. who were on hand to receive the Book Donation.
Let's face it. Most Cameroon College Alumni Associations aren't exactly brimming, spilling over and bursting at the seams with Ex-students of Graduating classes from the '90s, to talk much less of the 2000s! Most people that age are either too engrossed with pursuing their Education or "Living it up", to be bothered to as much as attend a meeting or two. Yes, they might attend a Convention GALA here and there, but it would hardly cross their minds - this early on, to GIVE BACK to their Alma Mater, and even if the thought did occur to them, the unavailability of FUNDS is likely to have stopped them dead in their tracks. Not these two ASSAM girls though! They had the WILL, and so they found a WAY!! What an INSPIRATION to ALL- Both Young and "Old"! In a society where the tendency is more to tear down, than it is to build up, and where the focus is on self, rather than on others, this selfless and giving act of theirs definitely deserves to be highly commended.
As far as their academic and career plans are concerned, Effa who is a sophomore at SUNY Oswego, managed to squeeze in an invaluable internship with Price Water House in Douala over Christmas break. She's currently studying accounting, wants to be a CPA, and work in the fashion industry in the future.
Ndiep on her part, is a Biology major, French minor and will be starting Medical School in August (2014).
MORE GREASE TO YOUR ELBOWS, MY DEAR DAMSELS!
Proud Mom, Class of '77's Mrs. Belinda Oben Assam
With their Aunt, Ms Belinda Enyong, attending the most recent ExSSA-USA Convention in New Jersey. (August 2013)
With Principal Matuke in her office
Elated & Beaming S.B.C students who benefited from the ASSAM Girls' Largesse
LARISSA
CHARLENE
Fast-Forward to October 2013 ...
Our CARAT is done with her internship at HAT TRICK PRODUCTIONS in London and shares her experience in an article. Read all about it at:
LARISSA NDIEP ASSAM MAKES NEWS YET AGAIN ...
Has it even been a full month since I posted the article above whose FACE BOOK version, by the way, has gotten more than 854 views so far, and which had the girls in SAKER so thrilled they've written essays about it? Barely! And now so very close on its heels comes this FANTASTIC NEWS which I opted to lift directly from the source, so no one mistakes it for some "AH HEAR SAY" kind of thing! Read the Article for yourselves then, as posted in the STATE UNIVERSITY OF OSWEGO'S Website, and then also look at the FUN video in which her Sister Charlene joins her and the rest of their ASO (African Students Union) "crew" to promote their "African Takeover Week" which runs from the 30th of March to the 6th of April 2014. It sure proves that she is NOT an ALL WORK & NO PLAY type o' girl!! WAY TO GO, BABY! YOU SOOOOOOO ROCK!!! God bless you and enable you to keep the SAKER ... and BESONGABANG Flags Flying Sky High!!! lol!
Post by Oswego Aso.
Born to Saker Brother, Brother-in-law & CAT, Eliot Atekwana and Class of 1978's Estella Nkwate Atekwana, KYRA ATEKWANA is a social anthropology concentrator at Harvard University, (Class of 2014). She has been involved in over eleven Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club productions as a Music Director, Performer, and Composer. She is an aspiring Writer and Performer.
Wanna know how I just know she'll be INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL? I have seen her perform:
First, in a COOL Video Clip inviting prospective HARVARD "foxes" to choose LOWELL HOUSE as their Residence (dorm), and SECOND, in a performance of "MR. SNOW" as part of her College's Production of the Musical "CAROUSEL".
Take a look and a listen, and tell me if I'm wrong!!! Wondering how you're going to be able to make her out in the Clips? Here's a very useful and vital piece of information that should help: SHE'S BLACK!!! (I mentioned she's at HARVARD, right??!!)
BEAUTY, BRAINS, A GOLDEN VOICE & SWAG ;
HARVARD JUNIOR, CARAT KYRA ATEKWANA'S GOT THEM ALL!
THE PROUD PARENTS!!
2014
Laurent Njiki, a 2014 senior and football captain at Wylie High School will be joining the United States Naval Academy (USNA) family. He signed his letter of appointment on April 16, 2014.
Like most recruited Navy football athletes, he will spend the first 10 months at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, Rhode Island before moving over to Annapolis in June 2015.
Laurent started applying to the Naval Academy in July 2013 at the urging of Navy Football Coaching staff. He went through the application process, a physical fitness test and a Department of Defense medical exam. Then he started the congressional nomination process in September 2013.
In January 2014, he received a congressional nomination from Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.
On March 7, 2014, he received his appointment to NAPS in a blue Naval Academy folder.
The mission of the NAPS is to enhance midshipman candidates’ moral, mental and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the U.S. Naval Academy, according to the Naval Academy. The 10-month course emphasizes preparation in English composition, mathematics, chemistry, physics and information technology. Military, physical and character development programs complement the academic preparation. As part of the physical development program, the Naval Academy Preparatory School offers a varsity athletic program that competes against other preparatory schools, junior colleges and college junior varsity teams. Laurent will play on the NAPS football team, which runs the same scheme as the Navy Varsity Football Team.
In his appointment package, the Letter from the USNA Dean of Admissions says that successful completion of the Naval Academy Preparatory Program assures selection to the Naval Academy class of 2019.
Laurent will report to NAPS which is on Naval Station Newport in Newport, R.I. on July 22.
IN HIS OWN WORDS . . .
Name: Laurent Njiki
Football Position: Offensive Lineman.
College: U.S. Naval Academy.
Intended Major: Computer Engineering or Naval Aviation.
How I fit: I know it's a rigorous schedule at the Naval Academy. Hopefully, I can stay on top of my academics, get better as a football player, and serve my country in a couple years as a commissioned officer.
I knew I made the right college decision when… I visited the Naval Academy campus in Annapolis and fell in love with the place. The endless opportunities that you have at the Naval Academy are different from any other college. Football, education and then serving my country were all important factors in my decision. To have the opportunity to study at the best educational institutions and knowing that I will have a job upon graduation is great. To be able to serve my country and play Division I football is extra special. I am excited about this opportunity.
There has been no factor larger than my dad who instilled in me the value of service and the love of country through his service in the Army Reserves. Who better to listen and learn from than someone who has served? It will be an honor to follow my dad’s example and serve my country.
When I first started looking at colleges last year with my parents, we were looking for the kind of school where I would get an excellent education in a safe environment that would continue to foster the values they have instilled in me. My parents have always taught me that honor, service and integrity are very important, and the military service academies reinforce these values.
I first became interested in attending a service academy during the spring of 2013 when Navy Football Coach Mick Yokitis visited my high school. At his invitation, I visited the U.S. Naval Academy in June 2013. After speaking to Coach Yokitis and interacting with some of the Navy Football players, I realize that the service academy structure and education was what I wanted for my college experience. It is the best fit because of its rigorous academic program coupled with the military structure. I was impressed with not only the history and tradition of the Naval Academy, but also with its emphasis on leadership training, ethics, discipline and a unique education that would set me apart from other college students. Service Academies offers young people like me the opportunity to learn and develop proper leadership skills. It will also allow me to observe and learn from successful leaders. In addition, my visit to the Naval Academy convinced me that I would be successful not only during my college years, but in my post-college years as well.
Another reason for me wanting to attend a military service academy is that I want to play football at the college level. It offers the best atmosphere for a student-athlete like me. The Naval Academy stood out because it offered the opportunity to play Division I football while receiving a world-renowned education, leadership experiences and participating in world-class athletics. I want to surround myself with a group of individuals who are all committed to being successful. GO NAVY!!!
According to the Naval Academy, over 20,000 students apply each year, but only about 1300 candidates are selected. Therefore, I am one of the lucky few.
My Saker connections… Son of Shiri Ndang (Saker Class of 1987) and Emmanuel Njiki; Grandson of Katrena Jackson Ndang (former Saker teacher ) and the late Akotoh Ndang (former Saker PTA president); nephew of Angeline Asobo (Saker Class of 1981) and Joan Shu Asobo (Saker Class of 1976).
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN,
CARAT LAURENT NJIKI
COMMITS TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL AT NAVY
With Proud Parents CAT Emmanuel Njiki and Shiri Ndang Njiki,(Class of 1987)
With Mom, Dad & Sister Katrena who is herself an phenomenal athlete!
GODSPEED, CARAT LAURENT!!!
With Mom & Dad
FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, PLEASE CLICK ON ICON BELOW!
And now, let's Fast Forward to October 2013! Behold the WEST POINT JV ARMY TEAM'S RUNNING BACK!!!!
There's no stopping you, Boy!!
Date: Wed, May 14, 2014 at 5:48 PM
Subject: Kluckhohn Senior Thesis Prize to: Kyra Atekwana
To: "Atekwana, Kyra"
Hi Kyra,
At our Degree Meeting yesterday, the faculty determined that your thesis should be the recipient of the 2014 Kluckhohn Prize in Anthropology.
This is of course a most glorious honor! (mind not the modest purse that accompanies it ; ).
This department normally only awards an occasional Kluckhohn Prize (named for renowned early 20th century anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn) for an outstanding senior thesis that embraces two subfields, e.g., social anthro and archaeology. But Ramyar made an eloquent case to the faculty for your senior thesis’ brilliant marriage of anthropology, music and the performing arts. And so the Anthro Dept.’s traditional Kluckhohn Prize awardee has been effectively redefined by you!
Many Congratulations!
‘Penny’
Note: Again, the letter e-previewed below is also being sent to your college address by U. S. Mail.
And here he is, 1 year and 7 months later!!! As "SWAGALICIOUS" as ever, by his own "don" self (top), and with his BLESSED Parents, (right) May God continue to BLESS you, Precious CARAT!
JOY DID, INDEED COME IN THE MORNING OF AUGUST 8 2015!!
Early in the morning of August 8 2011, (as I was heading home from that year's ExSSA-USA Convention in Atlanta Georgia), the news came that our Dad had passed away peacefully in his sleep.
That date therefore took on a somewhat sombre hue from then on but then, this August 8 2015, the Late Mr. E.A. Mbiwan's grandson, (one of the 2 that have so proudly & brilliantly borne his deceased son's name - ACHA, since they were born), has made us WEEP again, but this time with UNSPEAKABLE JOY, LIMITLESS PRIDE, and above all else UNQUANTIFIABLE GRATITUDE TO GOD ALMIGHTY in our hearts!
Here he is, the self-effacing, unassuming, Officer and Gentleman of few words, but with a heart of GOLD ... and enough prowess to have been recognized as
BEST PLATOON SERGEANT IN CADET CANDIDATE BASIC TRAINING AT WEST POINT!!!
DIA RIS GOD OOOOO!
Well deserved CONGRATULATIONS to his Mom, Class of 79's Didi Mbiwan Ndando and to his Dad, Mr. Victor Ndando! Well Done!
As for YOU, AJ "Ma Boy": GODSPEED OH!!
(FYI, Bro: Gong, drums, kontri xylophone, etc. already purchased and waiting for Graduation Day 2017! Sorry, but Aunty Egbe don't play!)
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THANKSGIVING
NOV. 2013
FAST-FORWARD TO FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 2016, THE EVE OF HIS MOTHER'S 54th BIRTHDAY!!!!
IT IS RING CEREMONY DAY FOR WEST POINT'S GRADUATING CLASS OF 2017!
TALK ABOUT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT STRAIGHT FROM HEAVEN'S THRONE!!!
A BIT OF HISTORY ...
West Point is the first American school to have class rings. A ring is awarded to senior cadets shortly after the start of their senior year, after which there is a formal dinner and dance (called a "hop" in cadet slang) following the ceremony for the cadets and their guests.
The cadets of the United States Military Academy first began the practice of wearing class rings in 1835. Each class designs its own rings. The ingots of the Class rings are poured earlier in the year at the Pease & Curren refinery in Rhode Island. That ceremony, known as the “ring melt,” is a tradition begun for the rings of West Point’s bicentennial class in 2002.
Since then, it’s not just any gold that goes into these rings. They’re made from gold from class rings that were worn by earlier graduates and that have been donated, melted and mixed with new gold to make rings for the following year’s first-class cadets.
The United States Military Academy class ring has traditionally been worn on the left hand, but most recent graduates choose to wear it on their right hand, which is likely in response to the dilemma posed by wearing both a West Point ring and a wedding ring on the same finger.
Some graduates choose to wear both on their left hand. While at West Point, the ring is worn so that the class crest is worn to the inside and closest to one's heart. Upon graduation, the ring is worn so that the West Point crest is closest to the heart.
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW PHOTO ALBUM!
PLEASE CLICK ON PLAY BUTTON TO WATCH
SET-TO-MUSIC & CAPTIONED SLIDESHOW! ENLARGE USING ARROWS AT BOTTOM RIGHT FOR BETTER VIEW
My Movie from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo.
20170527_135122 from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo.
20170527_110637 from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo.
20170527_220825 from Egbe Monjimbo on Vimeo.
CADET ACHA JIDE NDANDO
GRADUATE OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW PHOTO ALBUM OF THE GRADUATION RECEPTION
ABLY REPRESENTING THE UNAVOIDABLY ABSENT, AT THE GRADUATION ...
Mr. ATIBA MBIWAN representing his "brother" (the Grad's Maternal Uncle), LATE ACHA MBIWAN
Mrs. Egbe Etonde Mbiwan Monjimbo representing her parents, (the Grad's Grandparents), LATE Mr. E.A.
& Mrs. E.E. MBIWAN
Dr. Brenda Efeti (Mimi) Tanyi, representing her Mother, (the Grad's Maternal Aunt), Mrs. EBOB MBIWAN TANYI
With Proud Mom, (Class of 1979's Namondo (Didi) Mbiwan Ndando,) Sister & Dad
Part of the proverbial "VILLAGE" that help raise "The Child"!!!
TWO CARATS MAKE HEADLINES:
SAKERETTE-CARAT BELLE NTUBA (Class of 1986)
Daughter of Class of 1969's Sis FRANCISCA Ngoh NTUBA
CARAT MENOOSHA SUSUNGI
Class of 1969's Sis PAULEEN Etchu SUSUNGI
ENTRY #16
FANCY THIS!!!
Our very own BELLE NTUBA,
- Member of "THE PECULIAR SET" Class of 1986
- Daughter of Class of 1969 "MAJOR" and President of ExSSA-KUMBA, Sis Francisca Ngoh Ntuba
- Sister of SAKERETTES Njie (1990), Fule (1994/96), Wuke (1998) and Dibo (1998)
- Aunty/Neice to a TON of NTUBA and NGOH SAKERETTES
is STARRING in the very popular U.K. TELEVISION COOKING SHOW: MY KITCHEN RULES!!!! The very first Episode of the Brand New Season airs this MONDAY, September 25 2017 at 4:00 p.m. on CHANNEL 4!!!!
Don't know if BELLE, (who currently resides in Bradford - West Yorkshire and works as a Church Administrator), was one of those elite "COOKERY GIRLS" during her SAKER days, but she is certainly worth her SALT and NJANGSANG, to have been selected to feature in the program. TRUST ME: This ain't no BOIL WATA Show!!!!
I guess what this means for some of us is that we will be working only half-half or 3 kwata days every Monday, until the SEASON FINALE, because I just don't see how she will NOT make it to the end and WIN, kpata-kpata!!! GODSPEED, LITTLE SIS!!!!
BELLE NTUBA:
THE GOURMET CHEF ...
MENOOSHA SUSUNGI
GIFTED MUSICIAN ... SONGWRITER, SINGER, COMPOSER
The TV SHOW's JUDGES ...
Here's how MENOOSHA, talented daughter of CLASS OF 1969's Sis PAULEEN ETCHU SUSUNGI, introduces herself on her OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
My name is Menoosha. I have not been singing for as far as I can remember. I did not start singing at the local choir at 3. My father is not a pastor, my mother is not a choir director. Just to tell you how void of cliché my life is… I discovered my father’s vocal skills just about 10 years ago… And if you have heard him speak, you would be amazed by his punchlines. Quote me on this: my father can easily make Jay Z retire once and for all…
To introduce myself: I am this daughter of Cameroon who saw the light on a Sunday afternoon in Ivory Coast back in 1980. Jerry Curls were in, Bob Marley was big and Ted Turner started CNN. No better year to be born…
A few lines further on, she makes this statement that is sure to draw a KNOWING SMILE from EVERY SAKERETTE:
"My teenage was great. Almost void of boy drama; my mom was extremely strict."
She is BEAUTIFUL, regardless of how critical the eye of "the beholder" might be, and I dare ANY critic to dispute her TALENT and the QUALITY of her VOICE!!!!! LISTEN ...
N.B. So GLAD you asked me what MY FAVORITE is!!! "EKONG EYESEH" of course!!!! What kind of NYANGI CHICK would I be if it weren't??? LOL!!!
Proud Mom on Graduation Day back in June of 1969!!
Proud Mom on Graduation Day back in June of 1969!!
Dear Egbe,
Genevieve does NOT LOOK anywhere near 40. I need to know her secret!
On the program she was just introduced as living in Bradford, which is about 35 miles East of Manchester, on the other side of the Pennines (a N-S string of hills down the centre of Northern England).
I tried to look up information about her on the internet last night, but drew a blank. Her English and her accent are such that you would not know that she had not been born here, but they are not noticeably Bradford or Yorkshire.
At the same time that Francisca was in 3B (1966) there was a Mispa Ntuba in 3A - she came across as a rather shy girl. I taught her Phys & Chem in 3A, and Maths in 4A. The poor girl has probably never recovered from the experience! She presumably is related, however distantly, to Francisca.
Best wishes,
Roger
Dear Egbe,
Carol and I just watched the Tuesday episode of 'My Kitchen Rules’ featuring Genevieve and Tosin. They looked Great, as did the décor, and I only wish we could have tasted the food that looked so inviting! Thanks for drawing our attention to it.
"I am indeed talking about Daughter #1 of CLASS OF 1969 MAJOR, Mrs. Francisca Ngoh NTUBA, (herself a CLASS OF 1986 "PECULIAR SET" SAKERETTE)."
I’m having trouble fully understanding your post (above) that seems to say that Genevieve is the daughter of the very Francisca Ngoh to whom I taught Physics and Chemistry (class 3B) in the Fall term of 1966. However I suspect that she is Francisca's granddaughter.
Francisca Ngoh was in the same class as Priscilla Alima (who went on to become Head Girl) & Regina Motinda (working for the Red Cross in South Africa in 2012), both of whom I met at the Golden Jubilee in 2012, and Helen Gwanyama who worked for the WHO in Geneva, together with a certain Agnes Mbiwan.
I obviously didn’t teach Francisca very well as I quickly put her off both subjects!
Best wishes from us both,
Roger & Carol
Given the fact that Ma SakerPride dwelleth not in the U.K., she was unable to watch the Show herself but the curious "MA" did scour around FACEBOOK to get an idea of how it all went, which is how she found the revealing snippet posted above (right).
HOWEVER, in terms of SATISFACTION, it doesn't come anywhere near what she received the following day as "FEEDBACK" from none other than Mr. ROGER and Mrs. CAROL HAND, who served as tutors at Saker Baptist College in the late 60s. Simply PRICELESS!!! ...
Ma SakerPride did, of course, write back to confirm "the facts", (amongst other things), and here's the response she received. EVEN "PRICELESSER"!!! ...
ENTRY #15
CLASS OF 2006/'08 SAKERETTE-CARAT
BEYANG ARREY
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Ms Beyang Arrey
Beyang's Mom,
Late Sis Frida Ebika Egbe Arrey
(Class of '77)
I don't know about you but, even in this year, 2018; If I saw a RESUME that stated that someone had ...
"Graduated from the university of Birmingham with a BEng in computer systems engineering - with first class honours and also an MSc in Communications Engineering with Networks and Industrial Placement - with distinction",
and I was told that they are in their ...
" 5th year as a Software Engineer in Renishaw Plc, Staffordshire, a 3D printing company",
and I was offered A MILLION DOLLARS to pick between a "JOHN" and a "MARY" which one was most likely to be the person with the above resume, I would pick JOHN in a heart beat!
If you would have done the same, then we BOTH would have lost the Million Dollars because that resume belongs to none other than CLASS OF 2001's BEYANG ARREY, worthy DAUGHTER OF HER BRILLIANT MOTHER, Late Mrs. FRIDA EBIKA EGBE ARREY who was so brutally taken away from us on the 26th of May last year, (2017)!!!
Needless to say, we are THRILLED, EXTREMELY PROUD and hopeful that more GIRLS would do exactly what she is urging them to do in the video!!! GODSPEED, DEAR DAUGHTER!!
