St Catherine High School 65th anniversary - An affair to remember

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My dears, never let it be said of Jamaica and Jamaicans that we are an uncaring people. Or that those living in the diaspora have nothing to offer except platitudes and/or empty posturing. My dears, nothing could be farther from the unfolding reality!

Those who can read the tea leaves are on to it. Those who cannot will continue mouthing opposition to harnessing the boundless talent and goodwill that exists within the ranks of Jamaicans abroad. They are simply aching to give back in an attempt to help the land of their birth take her rightful place in the ranks of the developed nations.

Jamaica stands on the crest of a great renewal, as the goodwill and generosity being actively demonstrated by Jamaicans abroad represents that new sense of renewal.

Dears, realising that their homeland is in need of sustenance and support, Jamaicans both at home and abroad are quite busy reordering their priorities through partnerships with various bodies, in a bid to make a difference and move this country forward.

There are those who are in the business of spreading doom and gloom. But, while they are busy lambasting and lampooning everything and everybody, there are those who are busy working to right some of the wrongs with their homeland.

Dears, there are several organisations coming to the fore today. Some have been around from before 'Wappy killed Fillup'. Others are just now emerging, rising to the challenge of the time. One such organisation is the St Catherine High School Alumni Association.

Now, here's a disparate grouping of loyal graduates of one of the island's premier educational institutions, located in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

By way of secondary educational institutions, the St Catherine High School is a relatively young one from a historical perspective. At only 65 years old, however, the institution is maturing rather nicely. And like fine wine, it is only now asserting itself on the international and national stage, not in a triumphant or jingoist and simplistic mode that is de rigueur at 'Champs' or other sporting activities, but in a more meaningful mode - impelled by the desire of its members to make a difference. Not just in the life and conditions of the school, its student body, faculty and facilities, but consciously so in the knowledge that any such contribution redounds to the benefit of Jamaica.

And so it is, my dears, that, over the years, the St Catherine High School Alumni Association, through its various national and international chapters, has been quietly but vigorously helping to charter a course of renewal in their alma mater.

Well, on Saturday, June 29, the association hosted its 65th anniversary banquet and dance and Hall of Fame induction ceremony. All this unveiled at the rather charming Blue Mountain Suite of The Knutsford Court Hotel, located in fashionable New Kingston, and dears, how!

Dears, the evening began with cocktails and finger foods in the foyer and, from the very get-go, there was no escaping or questioning the energy, enthusiasm and/or commitment of those in attendance. It was not your ordinary gathering. This was not an excuse for a party or get-together, but was the coming together of people who have gone on to lead their own lives with various degrees of success, in academia, business, commerce, jurisprudence, medicine, caregiving, tourism and hospitality, entertainment, among many other sectors.

And here they were, reacquainting themselves with each other, many for the first time in decades - united by their desire to give back to their alma mater and country, and it made for a simply marvellously inspiring outing!

Dears, this was the very essence of Jamaica, Jamaicans and the spirit of Jamaica. Here, egos were checked at the door, as old friends, classmates and teachers, were back together again, united by their need and desire to be a part of the change, to bring about the new Jamaica of which we all speak. And dears, it made for a truly momentous outing.

We are talking an evening rich on symbolisms and pregnant with possibilities, honouring as they did a number of former principals, teachers and past students who have gone on to distinguish themselves in their chosen fields while embracing the institution that prepared them all for life in the 21st century. There was no escaping the sense of pride and accomplishment that permeated the atmosphere.

Luvs, this was one of the St Catherine High School Alumni's finest hours, its members out to celebrate the achievements of fellow grandaunts and to laud and thank their teachers; as well as to outline and identify areas of continuing cooperation in their effort to raise awareness of the institution and its role as a beacon of educational stability in the community of Spanish Town, often making the news for less than noble interventions.

Luvs, from cocktails to dinner - dinner being a marvellous three-course affair - accompanied and topped by flawless entertainment by Mundle and Friends, it was all fabulous. Co-chaired by Alumni Hugh Douse and Dennis Brooks, the pair made for charming humour and took fellow alumni and guests on a fab journey into the operations of the school, as seen through the eyes of its students. Opposition leader Andrew Holness was the guest speaker, accompanied by his elegant wife Juliette, both being graduates of the school. Holness was one of seven inductees into the Hall of Fame. The other six were: Father Matthew Ashe and Sister Mary Mercedes Doorly - both being posthumous inductees, Sister Mary Paschal Figueroa; Kenneth Neale; Lascelles Williams; and Bishop Kenneth Richards.

And all throughout, there was no gainsaying that this was the very best of St Catherine High School on parade. And beautifully so, it made for a charmingly inspiring outing.

Among those out were former principals, Joan Tyser Mills (immediate past principal), former vice-principal Gloria Johnson, current principal Marlon Campbell, Lascelles Williams, chairman of the school board and one of the first boys to attend the institution, Verona Duff, former English teacher; Carol McHugh, former art teacher; Dr O'Neal Mundle, School of Education, UWI, Mona, and national president of the Alumni; Kenneth Cyrus, president of the northeast chapter in the United States; Jasmine Clarke Barnes, president of the south east US chapter; Dr Fay Brown, class of '75, director, Child and Adolescent Development, School Development Programme, Yale University; Dr Cherise Francis-Windle, class of '79, who jetted in from California accompanied by Dave Sterling, who jetted in from New Jersey; Judge Garfield Willis, Class of '85, in from New York; Dr Colin Gyles, associate professor and dean of the Faculty of Science and Sport, University of Technology. Also out were Matthew Silpot professor, The Mico University; Dr Jennifer Yee-Sing, retired principal lecturer, UTech, and husband Deacon; Sharon Dale; Jasmine Clarke-Barnes, president, South East USA Chapter; Jermaine Edwards, class of '99, international gospel artiste; Suzette Pryce, in from Bermuda; Robert Gray, in from New York; Olga Lee, class of '67, in from Long Island, New York; Valarie Masters, who flew in from Canada; Rosemarie Chanroo, class of '81 and former Miss St Catherine; Dion Staples; Wayne McKenzie and Dian McKenzie, Larry Cephas, class of '79; Dwight Ross; Jamaican-born American diplomat Lloyd Jackson, in from Kosovo; the charming Christine Staple-Ebanks; the dapper Alex Reid; Kerry-Ann White; current head girl Nicolette Clayton; plus several scores of others.

Indeed, it was quite an outing, inspiringly so!