JC honours ‘titans of transformation’
Delano Malcolm (left) and Neyli-Ann Scott show off their awards during the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and the Child Development Agency’s Educational Achievement Awards Ceremony, held last Thursday at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, St Andrew. Looking on is Rosalee Gage-Grey, chief executive officer, Child Development Agency. THREE STALWARTS who piloted the last decade of transformation at Jamaica College were last Wednesday honoured by the institution.
R. Danny Williams, Ruel Reid and Ian Forbes were the men on the podium at the JC Parent,m Teachers Association inaugural dinner staged at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.
Under the leadership of board chairman Williams in 2006, JC began a strategic process of transformation of the school’s facilities, academics and sports, in a bid to return its former glory.
It started with the swift appointment of Reid as principal, who had a vise-like grip on discipline and education, while boosting the sports portfolio with the inclusion of Forbes.
Ten years onwards and JC boasts a plethora of facilities, accolades and scholarships, namely: half a billion dollars in infrastructure investments (gymnasium, auditorium, staff apartments, among others), fourteen Under-19 schoolboy football titles, one boys’ champions and 31 scholarships worth J$3.5 million in 2015 alone.
Reid said: “I’m honoured that my hard work is being recognised. JC has been an extremely supportive family and that is the recipe to the success, partnership and team work.”
He further added: “I could not have done it without Danny Williams and Ian Forbes. They have been my two most significant support systems.”
GREAT FEELING
Asked about the significance of the occasion, Forbes said: “It means a lot, I am truly honoured and humbled.” In relation to his role as chairman of the Sports Development Committee of JC, he said: “I started way back. I attended JC and went back and taught physical education and English.”
He further said: “Sports has transformed the lives of many young men and it is a great feeling, far greater than any money could make one feel.”
JC old boy and Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Chung, said: “I think that it is very appropriate. I was on the board when Danny was chairing, Ruel was there as principal and I’ve seen what Ian has done with sports. The leadership they have demonstrated has really put JC back on the map.”
In ensuring future excellence, the ‘True Blues’ have already drafted a strategic outlook for the next 10 years.