Tyana M.

Walton

International College of the Cayman Islands

Instructor: Melissa Hamilton

Reflection # 4 – PRIDE Workshop II

Seminar on Cayman Islands (SO 430)

17 May 2018
Today was a different day at the workshop covered the areas of history, heritage, and culture

of the Cayman Islands. The workshop revealed that we have a total of nine National Heroes

within the Cayman Islands of which Dr. Roy McTaggart was the last appointed national hero.

Other National Heroes were the Hon. James (Jim) Manoah Bodden, Mr. Desmond Vere

Watler, CBE, Mrs. Sybil lone McLaughlin, MBE, JP, Mr. Ormand L. Panton, OBE, Mr.

William Warren Conolly, OBE, JP, Mrs. Sybil Joyce Hylton, MBE, Ms. Mary Evelyn Wood,

Cert. Hon and Mr. Thomas William Farrington, CBE, JP (PRIDE, Cayman Islands National

Heroes).

I have learned that one essential National Hero, Mr. Ormand L. Panton, OBE was the man

who lobbied with the United States of America to request the waiver program for the Cayman

Islands people. Also, I also learned that Ms. Lassies real name is Ms. Gladwynn K. Bush. She

was awarded the MBE in 1997. The Cayman National Cultural Foundation purchased her

house that is located off Walkers Road and South Sound and called it "Minds Eye." Ms.

Janet, the workshop presenter, advised that Ms. Lassie's home is over 300 years old and the

name of Ms. Lassie's house came from Ms. Lassie herself. When speaking Ms. Lassie would

say "In mind's eye" when asked a question. The first painting Ms. Lassie ever painted was a

dove at the age of sixty-nine.

History was covered in the workshop from the 1500’s to the 1900’s. Some of those

historical events included the famous murder at Pedro St. James Castle and the trial of Long

Celia, the slave. Long Celia’s trial occurred in 1820 in George Town. The final ruling of her

trial resulted in her receiving 50 lashes on 12 October 1820.

I have also learned that there is a total of five districts in Cayman Brac which are

Creek, Spott Bay, West End, Stake Bay and Watering Place. While many other historical

events were covered the one in which I found the most interesting was that of the Sir Turtle
Logo that was created by Mrs. Suzy Soto. Mrs. Soto created Sir Turtle in 1963 and sold the

logo to the Department of Tourism in 1973 as per Ms. Janet and was later adopted by

Cayman Airways.

The workshop overall if very interactive and informative and I enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see

what the last day of the seminar brings.

 References

Mrs. Janet Holness, PRIDE, Department of Tourism

PRIDE: Cayman Islands National Heroes. Retrieved from www.caymanislands.ky/PRIDE