Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Left: Former student and football coach of St. Andrew Prep School, Ramon Alberga, receives a special token from past principal Val Milner at the school's 75th Anniversary Banquet and Long Service Awards, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, last Saturday.
Center: Past prinicipal of St. Andrew Prep School, Madge Broderick (right), presents Ivy Frazier with an award for 22 years of service to the school.
Right: Former principal of St. Andrew Prep School, Madge Broderick, presents Frank Davis with an award for 22 years of service to the school. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
WHEN ALUMNI from as far back as the 1930s turn out for an event, then you know it's a big occasion.
The staff and past students of the St. Andrew Prep School celebrated the institution's 75th anniversary on Saturday, February 25, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. A few of the school's first batch of students were there to mark the milestone.
Commemorative thermoses, bags, dolls and a special issue of the school's Mighty Mice magazine were even on sale.
Past students from all decades gave their reflections of their time at the school. Alumni, including Phyllis McPherson-Russell from the 1930s, were full of praise for the institution, and expect it to maintain its usefulness, and even improve.
TEACHERS' WORK LAUDED
"The present students are getting even more help; getting the skills and capacity to live in the 21st century," she said.
Dr. Deanna Ashley, another 'old girl', but from the 1950s, lauded the work of her teachers and remembered the school's aura.
"(I remember) the spirit of family, camaraderie and enjoyment. Rules were enforced, but with love," she recalls.
The evening's entertainment was provided by veteran entertainer Boris Gardiner. He performed some of his delectable hits, including Forever My Darling and Groovy Kind Of Love before ending with the never old I Wanna Wake Up With You.
For an occasion like this, the guest speaker has to be one of your own. So how about Ramon Alberga, who enrolled in 1933 as one of the first students? Alberga, for whom the Alberga Cup football competition is named, later sent five of his children to St. Andrew Prep and was an 'ex officio member of staff' as coach of the football team from 1965-1975.
He spoke highly of all the principals, crediting them with maintaining and developing its (the school's) high levels of success.
He had more to say, but the emotions were too much as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Fourteen members of staff were rewarded for their long service of between 10 and 22 years.
