The Principal’s Message
On behalf of the Morant Bay High School Family it is with deep gratitude that I congratulate the Alumni Association – New York Chapter on the occasion of the 24th Anniversary Dinner Dance. It is no easy feat for extremely busy persons with young families to maintain such a high level of commitment and dedication to any cause. This demonstrates the love for your alma mater and your passion for service. I could not possibly write this, my final greeting to the Association without mentioning the core group of President Charles Murray, Secretary Joyce Francis and Treasurer, Carol Neufville who have been the nuclei of this group for almost as long as I have been Principal.
I recall on the journey to the Dinner Dance in 1996 – the tenth anniversary, President Charles stated the need for the association to make a significant contribution to benefit the students of Morant Bay High School. We bounced around several ideas, two of which I clearly recall (1) The setting up of a Trust Fund (2) The donation of a Scholarship.
I remember the announcement of the scholarship in his typical style- “My executive is going to kill me for this.” He is still alive and the “scholarship students have become synonymous with the New York Chapter.”
Every person who attends the function or contributes in any way, especially those who supported the school over the years can be justifiably proud of the achievements of the school and the scholarship recipients in particular.
To date, twenty-five scholarships have been awarded. Seven of these by individual members of the Association or Supporters of the Association. Two other students have benefited from short term assistance.
Sixteen of these twenty-five scholars have already completed five years of High School and sat external examinations. These sixteen students have amassed a total of one hundred CXC’s subjects (first stage of High School external examinations) and additional passes in subjects at Advanced Level examinations.
The Association has not only contributed to the academic success of those who benefited from scholarships. Refurbishing Science Laboratories, Donation of a Computer Laboratory, Refurbishing of the games field and Contribution to furnishing the Gym, Conducting motivational and inspiring talks during visits, Mentoring relationships with students, Attendance at school functions and paying the Athletics Coach are other ways they have contributed to the growth of the Institution during my tenure as Principal.
As a result of your involvement and support the school continues to produce rounded individuals. I recall Trudy-Ann Powell, an athlete and scholarship recipient 2001, who also received a scholarship to Fisk University and is now in Law School. I also think of Wilbert Walker a graduate of 2003 – Champion Boy – National Boys/Girls Championship – Gold Medallist at CARIFTA Games and the most valuable athlete on the Jamaican team. He gained a scholarship to Lincoln University from which he has graduated. He participated in the triple jump in the recent Commonwealth Games.
An excerpt from a “Return to Love” by Marianne Williams states “It is our light NOT our darkness that most frightens.” We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be talented, gorgeous, brilliant and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? The first line of our school hymn says, “Light of the world from whom all truth proceeding.” Our school Motto says “Carpe Diem.” Despite challenging times we should seize the opportunity to be the light of the world.
