George Henry, Gleaner WriterSPALDINGS, Clarendon: FIFTY-ONE Academic and seven ancillary staff members at the Edwin Allen High School in north west Clarendon were honoured last Friday by that institution in collaboration with the school's Past Students' Association for a total of 850 years of service.
The long-serving members, including five who are now retired, took place at a luncheon held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester.
40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
The workers have been serving the school for between 10 and 37 years and were honoured as part of the institution's 40th anniversary celebrations. The longest serving member of staff, Mrs. Norma McKaine, was specially congratulated for her 37 years of unbroken service to the institution.
"Don't tell them that they are dunce," guest speaker at the awards luncheon, past student Mr. Alvin Day told the teachers. The president of Mountain Movers Corporation based in West Palm Beach Florida in the United States of America, Mr. Day is a motivational speaker and an author.
"Please do not speak (negatively) to the children," he said. "Speak consciously, words of hope and power to give them a mark to which they should subscribe and to aspire and you can change the world."
CONVERT PERSONS
Mr. Day said teachers have the opportunity to convert persons who are hopeless, desperate and who come from broken homes, into persons who will lead the nation later down the road.
In bringing greetings, Vice Chairman of the School Board and past student of Edwin Allen, Robert Green said those honoured showed the determination to fulfil the vision of the late founder of the institution and former Minister of Education Edwin Leopold Allen. He said this had helped students to realise their potential.
