Kendal All Age Salutes the Past and Embraces the Present

KENDAL, Manchester:

IT IS said that teachers make all

other professions possible. They are fundamental in the process of academic and personal development and a price cannot be tagged to their work.

Highlighting the efforts of these individuals, the Kendal All-Age School recently hosted an awards ceremony for retired teachers who have together given more than 150 years of service to the Manchester-based institution. Current teachers and other employees were also among those honoured.

"May you continue to foster our children towards the goal of excellence," said Wayne Davis, president of the parent-teacher association, as he delivered a poetic tribute.

"We salute you, past teachers, for the tremendous work you have done. We truly appreciate that leg of the race that you have won. We embrace our present teachers that have taken over. The work must continue to brighten our nation's future," said Davis.

Acknowledging that true teachers do not enter the profession for the monetary reward, but rather to satisfy a passion, Georgia Waugh- Richards, president of the Manchester Teachers' Association, said, "You all understand fully the concept of servant leadership ... . Our reward is not monetary, but it is the joy of watching students grow and achieve ... . You have been much like a candle - lighting the way for others."

SEVERAL PERSONS HONOURED

As the first of its kind for the institution, awards were given to six retired teachers: Lorna Smith, who taught for 31 years; Carol Rowe, for 34 years; Joan Crawford-Senior, who gave 14 years; Judith Sharpe, for 23 years; Gerald Lemonious; and Martha Hanson. Past principal James McLaughlin was also awarded, along with his daughter Felecia, current vice-principal of the institution, and principal Maxine Headley.

Grades four to six teachers Kayla Wint, Narda Bailey, Paulann Dunkley (senior teacher), and Shernette Robinson, along with grades one to three teacher Grace-Ann Henry Morris and auxiliary staff members Margaret Maye and Blossom Walker were also honoured.

"You have given of yourself so selflessly. No other profession of very few take so much out of the professional if they are intent in doing their job well ... . No matter who you are, what you do and where you reach in life, you are there because of the investment and the effort of your teachers," guest speaker Raymond Price said during his salute to the honourees.

In response to the act of appreciation shown to them, an emotional Sharpe said, "When you have worked and shared good camaraderie, it's a wonderful feeling to stand before colleagues, family, friends and well-wishers ... . We have all passed on our batons, having done our best. I feel a sense of gratitude to God, who has been gracious in providing the strength and soundness of mind which we needed to perform our tasks."

rural@gleanerjm.com