Ardenne High School standing strong at 90

For 90 years, Ardenne High School has committed itself to producing some of the most prominent and influential men and women of Jamaica, deeply embedding in them values of godliness, honesty, respect and guiding them on their various game-changing paths.

Ardenne kicked off its 90th anniversary celebratory activities yesterday with a church service at the Olson Chapel on Hope Road in St Andrew, which was attended by a full house of Ardenne administrative staff, students and past students.

"We are a caring school. We adhere to our core values even before we write them down - godliness, honesty, respect, teamwork and being number one. We care about what our teachers do, we care about what our students become, wherever you come from. We enable. We want our students to be the best that they can be - game changers," Nadine Molloy, Ardenne's principal since 2012, told The Gleaner.

PERFECT BALANCE AT ARDENNE

Some of the students described Ardenne as the best institution in Jamaica, while, for others, Ardenne is simply a place where persons experience a perfect balance of academic and extracurricular programmes.

For them, it is a privilege to be a part of the school's 90th anniversary celebrations.

"It's a great experience being a member of the Ardenne family because this is the best institution in Jamaica. Coming here, it doesn't limit you to just academics; it moulds you to be a perfect person," sixth-form student Beibrie Wabsworth told The Gleaner.

Charity Brown, who will be moving on from the institution next year, said Ardenne is a "really good opportunity and (I) will be very disappointed to say my time has ended".

Sixth-form student Dannielle Mullings said she receives everything she needs at Ardenne.

"I love everything at Ardenne; you get academics, you get socialisation, everything. Personally, I love the growth I've experienced at Ardenne."

Dr John Pistole, president of Anderson University in the United States, delivered the main address.

More on Ardenne at 90

- Ardenne was founded in 1927 by Missionaries Nellie and George Olson, who arrived in Jamaica shortly after the 1907 earthquake from Indiana in the US. The school is currently owned by the Church of God in Jamaica.

- The school, being created out of the church, continues to promote the idea of being the best you can be.

- Celebratory activities will continue throughout the rest of the year and will include the hosting of a homecoming week, beginning at the end of June, and a distinguished lecture in November, with Dr Didacus Jules, chief executive officer at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States being the main speaker.