As Bishop’s High School, Tobago celebrates a hundred years of excellence, it does more than mark a milestone — it opens a time capsule of stories, dreams, and lives that began on its hallowed grounds. Among the many alumni who walked those corridors with hopeful hearts and youthful ambition is Hilton Pino Samuel — an entertainer, community servant, and living embodiment of the Bishopian spirit.
Born and raised in Tobago, Hilton’s story begins in the classrooms and fields of Bishop’s High School. He was just a boy when he stepped into Bowles House in 1969, unaware of how profoundly the school would shape his path. “There is no such word as can’t,” he later reflected — a mantra rooted not just in discipline, but in the patient mentorship of teachers like Mrs. Sosa, who taught him the power of vision, focus, and diligence.
In those formative years, Hilton was more than a student. He was a spark — lighting up school sports, breathing life into Ole Mas with a memorable performance as “A Cadet Force,” and learning hard lessons from missed assignments and stern principals. Those moments were not blemishes; they were blueprints. They taught him resilience, humility, and the quiet truth that success is often built in silence, long before the applause.
It was in his teenage years that Hilton discovered his voice — not just metaphorically, but literally. At 14, he began to sing, and by 18 he was already stepping into the national spotlight. In 1978, he entered the legendary Scouting for Talent competition in Trinidad as a solo artist, reaching the semi-finals. But the real history was made in 1979, when Hilton and his sister Jennifer Walters became the first and only Tobagonians to win the national crown. It was a proud moment not only for them, but for an entire island — proof that small beginnings do not preclude greatness.
Hilton’s journey would soon take him beyond Tobago’s shores. In 1981, he migrated to New York, where he carried with him not only his voice, but his values. For more than four decades, he entertained audiences across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Canada, and Atlanta, performing with bands like Passion, City Players, and Caribbean IN-SYNC. He opened for musical giants — Percy Sledge, Eddie Lovette, The Mighty Sparrow — yet never lost sight of his roots. Fame was never his fuel; service was.
In the heart of Brooklyn, where he eventually settled, Hilton became more than a performer. He became a vessel — using his gift to uplift, encourage, and minister through music. His performances in churches and community centers were less about limelight and more about legacy. Even in retirement from NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Hilton remains a beacon — a voice that soothes, inspires, and heals.
And through it all — the music, the miles, the milestones — Hilton remained a Bishopian.
“To be a part of this Centennial, is to reconnect with those who have carried the legacy forward, to stand together in gratitude, and to remember the strength we gave each other.” – he said recently.
Hilton is a husband of 40 years to Beverly Gardner-Samuel, a proud father to Mark and Karyn, and a living testament to what it means to use your gifts for good. His journey is not just a success story — it is a soul story. One that calls us to remember our own roots, to honor the teachers who shaped us, and to give back to the communities that first believed in us.
As Bishop’s High School turns 100, we honor Hilton Pino Samuel — a son of the soil, a steward of song, and a symbol of what it truly means to rise, serve, and remain grounded.
“Keep your feet on the ground, keep reaching for the stars,” he reminds today’s students, “with the knowledge and foundation that Bishop’s High School has instilled in you.”
Indeed, Hilton. And may your voice — like the school that raised you — echo for generations to come.
