Kitson Town All-age honours long serving teachers and security guard

MANDEVILLE — The St. Catherine-based Kitson Town All-age School has honoured six teachers and a security guard, who have given a combined 130 years of dedicated service to the institution.

They are: Rachael Christian, who has served for 23 years; Clover Brown and Vice Principal Maureen Heywood, 22 years; Jennifer Lindo, 17 years; Carmen Knight, 16 years; Juliet Lattibeaudiere, 15 years; and Rupert Miller, security guard for 15 years.

At a ceremony held on Thursday June 9 at the Kitson Town Baptist Church, glowing accolades and gifts were showered on the honourees in recognition for their long and devoted service.

Principal Nerica Powell-Hay, in her address, told the gathering that a decade had passed since the last long service award function was held and she was among the awardees at that time.

She congratulated the honourees, noting that “it is good that we could come together and shower praises on persons, who have dedicated their time and their energy to a job that sometimes seems to be unrewarding. Lets us call ourselves blessed to share in their accomplishments."

Former Principal of the institution, Ruby Gibbs, saluted the group for the part they have played in the development of the institution. “I ask that you remain steadfast, remain committed,” she urged.

Guest speaker at the function, and Officer for the South East Region of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Basil Benji, in offering his congratulations, encouraged them to continue to service their community and parish.

“Service to humanity is the most rewarding contribution that anyone can make  and as teachers and persons, who work in the education system, I am confident that you have impacted in a positive way the lives of many persons, not only your students, but persons in your community and the wider society,” he stated.

Past student, Garfield Angus noted that for 15 years, Mr. Miller worked to ensure the safety of students on the school grounds. He commended the teachers honoured and urged them to continue to deliver quality education to the children of Kitson Town.

Ms. Heywood, who responded on behalf of the awardees, said she had no regrets about the more than two decades spent at the institution. “The institution has influenced our personal and professional growth,” she stated.

By GARFIELD L. ANGUS, JIS Reporter