George Henry

The principals and vice-principals pose with their citations.

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Four principals and nine vice-principals who retired in the 2012-2013 academic year were fêted at the annual Retirees Awards Function put on by the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, held at the Grand Palladium Hotel and Resort at Point in Hanover last Thursday.

They are Judith Hasting (Albert Town High), Lenvas Cole (Balaclava High), Samuel Brown (Cambridge High), Ekle Bailey (Clan Carthy High), Barbara Sharpe (Denbigh High), Reford Hines (Donald Quarrie High), Audrey Seivwright (Edith Dalton James High), Vinetta Clarke (Islington High), Patricia Green (Old Harbour High), Austin Burrell (Penwood High), Unice Smart (Robert Lightbourne High), Dawn Chambers (Spalding High), and Dorrette Chambers (Spot Valley High).

The retired educators who each contributed more than 35 years to Jamaica's education system were showered with accolades by guest speaker Dr Cecil Wright, director, Undergraduate Admissions at Monroe College in New York, USA.

Wright, who is a past student of St Elizabeth Technical High School, told the retired educators that the roots they established in schools, churches and in the communities in which they served, have helped to keep the values of Jamaica alive.

"Your roots have spread far beyond the immediate areas and have impacted lives both locally and internationally. It is your roots that will help to keep our nation's values strong for generations to come," said Dr Wright.

He noted that the experiences gained because they have passed through storms of life and produced results in areas that other people have withered in, are a testament to the strength of their roots; and that it is their roots that have anchored faith and hope in many students who came from nothing and continue to persist to be something.

"It is your roots in the community that allowed the underserved and underprivileged to believe that things are possible through hard work and education," said Wright.

In his reply on behalf of the awardees, Bailey, a former vice-principal, said it was an honour for himself and his colleagues to be recognised.