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Illustrious seven cop Sam Sharpe Award

Published:Thursday | October 22, 2015 | 11:14 AMAdrian Frater
Adrian Frater
On National Heroes Day, the St. James Parish Council awarded the coveted Sam Sharpe Award to seven citizens for their contributions to the development of the parish. Here, the happy recipients pose for the cameras with Montego Bay's mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris. From left to right are: Henry MCCurdy Jr, Judith Wallace, Olga Marston, Mayor Harris, Tamsyn Browne, Carl Mathews and Inspector Peter Salkey. (missing is educator Errol Clarke)

The spotlight shone brightly on seven illustrious citizens of St James last Monday as they were all presented with the coveted Sam Sharpe Award as a part of the parish's 2015 National Heroes Day celebrations.

Renowned music teacher Carl Matthews, whose dynamic music programme at Herbert Morrison High School has churned out acclaimed musicians such as reggae singer extraordinaire Benji Myaz, bassist Othneil 'Taddy P' Lawrence, producer Christopher Birch, keyboard player Richard Campbell and noted music teacher Sheron Griffiths, was among those awarded, in the event, which took place in Sam Sharpe Square.

The other awardees were as follows: Renown Police inspector Peter Salkey, humanitarian Tamsyn Browne, who has made a career out of caring for animals; educator Errol Clarke, who served education for over 40 years; attorney at law Henry McCurdy, the CEO of Last Resort Detective Agency; nurse Olga Marston, an extraordinary midwife for over 40 years; and Judith Wallace, a stalwart in volunteerism for nearly two decades.

In his official welcome, Montego Bay's mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris, spoke of the virtues of giving service to one's community, noting that dedicated service is a critical component in nation-building.

In congratulating the awardees, whose respective citations spoke glowingly of their contribution to the parish's development, the mayor projected them as persons who other citizens should seek to emulate.

The awardees were also lauded in the prime minister's message, which was read by Agriculture Minister Derrick Kellier, the opposition leader's message, which was read by Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary Dr Horace Chang; and the governor general's message, which was read by St James Custos Ewen Corrodus.

One of the major highlights of the ceremony was the laying of floral tribute in honour of Jamaica's seven national heroes. The floral tributes were laid by seven high school principals from across the parish.

The floral tributes were laid as follows:

n The Right Excellent Nanny - Lambert Robinson, the principal of Anchovy High School

n The Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe - Mavis Hamilton, the principal of Cambridge High School

n The Right Excellent George William Gordon - Ivor Bailey, the principal of Spot Valley High School

n The Right Excellent Paul Bogle - Aldin Bellinfanti, the principal of Irwin High School

n The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Joseph Williams, the principal of St. James High School.

n The Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, Michael Ellis, the principal of Green Pond High School

n The Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley, Janet Manning, the principal of Maldon High School.