THE MANNERS displayed by high school students greatly impressed Ameri-can school administrators during their visit to the island last week.
At the launch of the U.S. High School Fair 2000, which brought administrators, parents and students together at the Courtleigh Hotel on Friday night, speaker after speaker referred to the excellent manners displayed by the students they had met.
Sponsored by Versan Educational Services, the fair provided the platform for parents and students who are seeking educational opportunities overseas. The administrators who came from states like Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia and Connecticut, briefed the gathering on the key factors that make their institutions work.
Editor-in-chief of The Gleaner, Wyvolyn Gager, guest speaker at the opening told representatives that their presence indicated an interest in cultural diversity.
"These children who will attend your schools come to you from all walks of life, from different homes and varying backgrounds. However, from these diverse threads you have the task to create a whole cloth. You have the task to prepare them to lead productive, humane and sensitive lives," Miss Gager said.
Director of Versan, Sandra Bramwell said her organisation prepares students as young as second formers to adults to access international scholarships to high schools, colleges and universities.
Last year she placed 25 students in high schools 15 of whom received full scholarships. "Our students are doing well," she said. The overall number of students has grown from six to 700 in the six years of the programme.
The Gleaner spoke with Christopher Dietrich representative of Williston Northampton, who was in Jamaica for the first time. He was due to interview students from 30 high schools.
Mr. Dietrich told The Gleaner he had chosen Jamaica because other schools who have Jamaican students have spoken highly of their performance and participation in the life of the school. Additionally, he said there is a West Indian student at his school who also does well.
Jamaican native Max Maxwell, who has been teaching English for 32 years at the Lawrenceville Academy and his wife Barbara, were among the visiting administrators. Among those present were Grace Johnson, Dianne Fennell, Dennis Charley, Brian Boone, Oliver Mears-Clarke and son Toussaint.
Hors d'oeuvres were served buffet style and guests enjoyed the offerings.
