On Thursday March 12, 2020 the St. Mary-based Horace Clarke High School (formerly Islington High) welcomed Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen for its fourth celebration of Lady Allen Day. The day marks the school’s annual awards ceremony at the Islington-based institution and community from which the wife of the Governor-General hails.
In her greetings, Lady Allen, encouraged the gathering by recalling details of the challenges she faced while growing up in the surrounding community and how she was able to overcome them through hard work and perseverance. In her counsel, Her Excellency cautioned the awardees to be mindful of false impressions regarding success and reminded them that, “it is choice, not circumstance, that determines success.”
In solidarity for the school’s reading programme, Her Excellency presented a cheque valued at $50,000 to the principal, Mr. Christopher Walker and further pledge to make a similar contribution each year.
Meanwhile, Project Officer for the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE), Mr. Andwayne Davis enlightened students and staff on the prospects of scholarship funding through the Summer of Summer (SOS) Programme which is an initiative of the GGPE. Mr. Davis, in commenting on the achievements of the programme, highlighted that over $17 million in scholarships and grants were awarded to twenty-four (24) students across various parishes in its 2019. “This included awards to natives of St. Mary and a resident of the said Islington community”, Mr. Davis stressed.
Guided by the theme ‘Striving for Excellence,” over 200 awards were presented to students for their achievements in areas of visual and performing arts, academia, sports and vocational pursuits.
Written by: Andwayne Davis
