Wed | Dec 11, 2024

Alpha Awards Golden Women

Published:Monday | June 1, 2015 | 12:00 AM
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Brian McCalla
Meris Haughton (left) and Paulette Mitchell were all smiles for our lens.
Brian McCalla
Maxine Brown (left) accepts a citation from Margaret Little Wilson, president of the Alpha Academy Alumnae Association.
Brian McCalla
Our camera snapped (from left) Alma Chin, Phyllis Kong, Richard Chang and Patricia Lue-Chin out at the Alpha Woman of Excellence banquet at The Jamaica Pegasus.
Brian McCalla
Schoolmates reunited. From left: Luciene Morrison, Joan Grant, Ruth Ho-Shing and Phyllis Kong.
Brian McCalla
André Shepherd serenades the Woman of Excellence, Maxine Brown.
Brian McCalla
Diane Hill and Simon Brown came to support their cousin and aunt, respectively, Maxine Brown.
Brian McCalla
Margery Newland (left) hands the Student of the Year award to Zinedine Russell.
Brian McCalla
Luciene Morrison (left) hands Teacher of the Year Mishka Rose her award.
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It was an intimate setting of old friends in the Montego Bay Suite of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday, May 29, as Alpha Academy alumnae came together to celebrate their own at the Woman of Excellence awards banquet.

Old classmates gave each other warm embraces as they caught up on what has been going on in each other's lives since they last met and who they had hoped to see.

The event formally began with prayer - the Suscipe of Catherine McAuley, done by Grace Baston, who was supported by the past students - an event that everyone in the room participated in as a student.

There was a brief welcome by Margaret Little Wilson, president of the alumnae association, before dinner was served. As they enjoyed the delicious meal, entertainment was provided by their own Mary Isaacs.

 

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS

 

With stomachs filled, it was time to get down to business, celebrating the achievements of some outstanding women.

First up was the Teacher of the Year award that was presented to Mishka Rose, who had a spotless record as a math teacher at the institution. Rose climbed from the position of math teacher to head of the department in just a few years, and over that time, she extended herself beyond the call of duty by tutoring students who needed extra attention.

Zinedine Russell was next in line, receiving the Student of the Year award. Not only is she an 'A' student across the board, she is also an exceptional athlete, placing second in the heptathlon in the recent Carifta Games.

Then it was time for the biggest award of the night: the 2015 Woman of Excellence. This year's honour went to Maxine Brown. As she rose to accept her award, she was serenaded by AndrÈ Shepherd, who had every woman's attention with his entrancing voice, singing She's Royal.

After collecting her award from president of the Alpha Academy Alumnae Association, Margaret Little Wilson, Brown told the audience how surprised she was when she found out she was to be this year's recipient. She said she was indeed honoured to be recognised by her colleagues.

Brown also paid tribute to her parents, who taught her kindness, the value of hard work and selflessness.

The night ended with a few prizes being given away as they said sweet goodbyes.