WESTERN BUREAU:
PAST STUDENTS of the Cornwall College classes of the 1980s have planned a weekend of activities, aimed at raising $3 million to fund upgrades to the school's infrastructure.
Dubbed the '80s Reunion 2006, the event was officially launched at the Wexford Court Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James last week.
"Over the past 110 years, Cornwall College has repeatedly proven its worth by turning out some of the finest graduates any institution can and they have paid their contributions in every aspects of life with luminaries in the arts, sports and medicine," said David Baugh, a graduate and chairman of the event.
Mr. Baugh said it was important for the institution to continue its tradition of turning out such luminaries, citing that the only way possible to achieve this feat, was for them as a group to realise the great debt owed to the institution and to give something back.
"As a result, we have decided to play our part by trying to earn some of the funds necessary. It is time for us as a group to stand by any pledge we make from time to time," he said.
Principal Denham McIntyre said the school's primary challenge was the lack of security on the campus, as undesirables continue to rob students and staff of money and cellular phones.
"We need to improve the physical conditions of the bathrooms, staff rooms and classrooms, the installation of doors to all classrooms and the provision of additional staff and students' furniture are all matters of extreme urgency," Mr. McIntyre said.
He said he was grateful that the old boys of Cornwall College, both locally and in the diaspora, corporate Jamaica, the media, parents and guardians had taken such keen interest in the institution.
The weekend activities will commence on Friday, June 30, with the CC Link Up at The Brewery, along Gloucester Avenue, starting at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 1, there will be a six-a-side football competition and a health fair on the school grounds, commencing at 9:00 a.m. followed by a 'Back to '80s' session at Pier One.
Sunday, July 3 will see the lighter side of things with a church service to be held at the Hill View Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. and a family fun day at Tropical beach.
