Bermuda High School Holds Torch Ceremony

The Bermuda High School held its Annual Torch Ceremony on Thursday, April 18th, following a tradition which first began in 1937.

The 76-year old tradition was started by former Head of School Marjorie Hallett in 1937. The original torch was simply a tin can nailed onto the end of a broomstick, with a rag soaked in kerosene stuffed into the can.

D.J. Williams gave the school an Olympic-type torch with a short handle, which was later lengthened for safety reasons, and ultimately a harness was made at KEMH, to make it easier for the Head Girl to carry the torch.

Torch Ceremony 1965:

The ceremony was held in silence with students, teachers and alumni facing forward, hands at their sides. The lighted torch was carried past alumni by Margaret Lloyd ‘49 and handed to the Head of School, Linda Parker ’78, who carried it past the staff and then handed it to the Head Girl, Megan Bower ‘13 to carry past the entire student body, alongside Head Boy, Andrew Sussman ’13.

Everyone, in turn, touched the handle of the Torch with their right hand, following which the School song was sung and The Torchbearer was read:

So I speak Not for myself, for the age unborn. I caught the fire from those who went before, The bearers of the Torch, who could not see The goal to which they strained; I caught their fire, And carried it only a little way beyond; But there are those that wait for it I know, Those who will carry it on to victory, I dare not fail them . . . Looking back, I see Those others . . . with their arms outstretched . . . pointing to the future.

The Torch Ceremony was followed by the annual Alumni Association Luncheon, AGM and Awards Ceremony. This year the following awards were presented:

Frances Tucker Zuill Award, presented to alumni who have demonstrated outstanding and unselfish service to BHS – Jeanne [Harnett] Masters ‘45. Mrs Masters is pictured below with her award.

Doris Trott Butterfield Award, presented to alumni who have demonstrated outstanding service to the community – Pamela Barit Nolan ‘80

The BHS Alumni Assocation Award, presented in recognition of consistent and dedicated service to the School by someone who did not attend BHS, but is nonetheless a member of the BHS family – Miles Outerbridge P’78, P’78, P’95

Miles Outerbridge with his Alumnae daughters Daina Carey and Heather Outerbridge

The Jubilee Scholarship, awarded to a Year 9 student, who meets the following requirements: a minimum average grade of A-, an exemplary conduct, demonstrated effort, participated in School activities and unquestionable integrity, and is a relative of a BHS Alumni. The Jubilee Scholarship is a one-year $5000 scholarship and was presented to Kelly Pedro.

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