Alumni from three of the nation's top traditional boys' schools met recently at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium, Jamaica College, for Three The Hard Way, a joint fund-raising event among the 'old boys' of KC, JC and Calabar.

The executives of the three alumni felt it was important to show the nation that, despite the passionate competitiveness among them, there can still be mutual respect, friendship and productive collaboration.

The concept displayed three legendary DJs, past students from the schools, who played '70s, '80s and '90s retro music to a varied audience, indulging in a musical friendly 'clash' of epic proportions, enticing old boys schools to turn up on the night to support their institutions.

Diaspora

The event, staged on the Friday preceding Boys' & Girls' Champs, was designed to attract a massive turnout out. This it did, attracting not only local enthusiasts from all schools, but a large contingent of alumni from the diaspora, who regularly fly in for Champs.

Each school staged impressive tents, displaying Fortis, Fervet and Rabalac paraphernalia for sale. Sumptuous food was available to complement the three well-stocked bars.

All three DJs were on top form with Squeeze representing 'True Blues', Rory championing the 'Green and Blacks' and Marlon Young spinning for the 'Purples'. Whereas Marlon dexterously spun his classics and remained generally reticent, Squeeze led the lyrical banter, with Rory later emerging from his Rastafari humility to thrill his fans, reminiscent of his early Stone Love days.

The nostalgic selection by all three musical maestros made it difficult to crown a winner

By 4 a.m., when patrons started departing, the three alumni were strongly urged to make the affair a calendar event.