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Untitled document
February 22, 2008
Dear Alumnus,
The organizing committee of “Happy Grove 110th Anniversary Reunion 2008, is requesting a contribution from you, which will be used to defray costs associated with the following:
1. Food and drink at the Brunch
2. Transportation to all functions
3. Food for the Cook-out at Innes Bay
4. Disco for music at all functions
5. Material for decoration at the Church and the Gala.
The committee has recommended a minimum contribution in the range of US$100 or Jamaica $6,000.
Pledges can be sent to the reunion e-mail happy_grove08@yahoo.com. Please make your pledge by March 20, 2008. You will be contacted after that is done to make arrangements for collection. We look forward to hearing from you.
Regards.
Sincerely yours
HAPPY GROVE 110TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION COMMITTEE
Clement Burnett
Chairman
Herman Alvin Pitter
Herman Alvin Pitter Herman Alvin Pitter, 72, a loving husband, father and friend, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Margaret Dozier Hospice House.
A memorial service in the manner of the Society of Friends (Quakers) will be at 5:30 p.m. EDT Monday, March 10, at First Presbyterian Church. Fellowship and a meal for guests will follow the service at the church.
Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Boys Choir of Tallahassee, c/o Earl Lee Jr., Director, P.O. Box 1182, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1182, or to Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104.
Herman was born April 3, 1935, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Josiah Constantine Pitter and Estella Marie Smith Pitter. He was educated at Happy Grove High School, a Quaker school, after which he attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, as well as graduate school at Kansas City, Mo., and Florida State University. His professional life included employment as an English professor in St. Joe, Mo., an adviser at Florida State University, a training manager at the Florida Department of Labor and a senior management analyst at the Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Retired in 2003, Herman was always involved in movements and work with individuals involved in peaceful solutions to conflicts, domestic or international, as well as being a consistent supporter of Quaker educational institutions.
Always a sports fan, he was a stellar force in the Jamaican soccer scene before moving to the states and continued to play with the Tallahassee Soccer Association upon moving to town.
He married his loving and lifetime partner, Gita Wijesinghe, in 1978 in a Quaker wedding and showed continuous commitment to family and friends. He was a devoted father who relished the successes of his beautiful and talented daughters, Sharmini, now pursuing a graduate degree at Stanford University, and Viveka, a sophomore at Lawton Chiles High School.
The many friends who knew Herman will sorely miss his camaraderie, laughter, insight and warm friendship. In addition to his wife Gita and daughters Sharmini and Viveka Pitter, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Yvonne Pitter; his brother-in-law, Geoffrey Wijesinghe (and wife Leela); cousins Vincent Thompson and his wife Beryl, Beatrice Crutchley, Beryl Thompson Perry, Joyce St. Marie, Dryden Evans, Dawn Anderson, Stephanie Henley, and Lorna Charles. Mr. Pitter also had nieces Pat Fleury and Audrey Pitter, nephew Michael Pitter and other cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. His brother, Leslie Pitter preceded him in death.�
Published in the Tallahassee Democrat from 3/7/2008 – 3/8/2008
THE 110 th ANNIVERSARY CHURCH SERVICE
SEASIDE FRIENDS CHURCH , APRIL 27, 2008 .
An exhortation to praise the Lord; an admonition to become a Caleb; a prayer of praise and gratitude to the Almighty; a wide selection of musical treats. These were some of the highlights at the 110 th anniversary church service which launched the week of celebrations on Sunday April 27, 2008 .
The cradle of Happy Grove High School, Seaside Friends Church, was filled to capacity as a turn-out of about four hundred persons attended the service.
The front of the church displayed the horticultural skills of alumnus, Ann Ramsay. This was the beautiful setting in which the strains of the Happy Grove School band filled the chapel. A soul — soothing musical prelude, with Marilyn Nugent-Dunbar and Jacqueline Anderson-Morgan on piano, permeated the atmosphere until the horticultural genius herself gave the call to worship
The Opening Hymn, “We Build Our School on Thee, O Lord”, brought back feelings of nostalgia as alumni and friends poured out their hearts and lifted their voices as they sang in praise. Loverne George was a prayerful inspiration as she expressed gratitude to God for having preserved Happy Grove as a great institution for 110 years and asked His blessing on the school for many more years to come.
Tedroy McNabb, President of the Jamaica Chapter of Alumni, delivered the welcome address. He expressed his gratitude to his executive committee, in particular to Monica Bigby-Milloy, whose responsibility it was to co-ordinate the church service. He reminded alumni that they are the beneficiaries of the past, the trustees of the present and the architects of the future. He had special words of gratitude to some alumni, both local and abroad, who have constantly given exceptional support to the efforts of the Jamaica Chapter.
The first lesson, Psalm 150, was read by Maudlyn Mason. This was followed by greetings from the Chairman of the Happy Grove Board of Governors, Mrs Joan Brown. The ever-faithful Pastor Eugene Wolfley brought greetings from the Friends United Meeting in The United States. Pastor Wolfley reminded the congregation of his special love for Happy Grove and said that although he now resides in The United States, his heart still resides in Jamaica.
More greetings followed from Lydia Grappine, Deputy- Clerk from the Jamaica Yearly and from Mr Lauriston Lindsay, Principal of Happy Grove High School. Mr. Lindsay prefaced his greeting with the announcement that on that day, Sunday April 27th, the positions of Principal and Vice Principal for September 2008, were advertised in the newspapers. He added that he knew that there was a thinking among some that he has not been a good Principal. To those persons, he offered his apology. In his greeting he expressed his gratitude to be serving as principal and wished the institution many more years of continued success.
More items of musical praise continued with renditions from Dave Williams, who sang his heart out to a very appreciative audience. A representative from the Worthington Friends Meeting, Donna McLean, gave a soul-stirring performance through song. But, it was the three members from the original six of the Ivy Chapel Sextet - Trevor Falloon, Rixon Richards and Randolph Gordon who took alumni back into the decade of the sixties with the lively, catchy singing of Negro Spirituals.
The second lesson from 2 nd Chronicles, Chapter 7, verses 1 – 10, was read by Devon Nelson—Phillips. Alumnus Keith Goldson invited all alumni present to rock the cradle as alumni moved to the singing of lively, reggae-beat chorouses which were sung by the representative from The Worthington Church. As alumni moved around the church in a meet and greet session, it was a joy to reconnect with people not seen in many, many years.
Rev Goldson then delivered his message under the theme, “Another Milestone, Time for Celebration“. He too offered thanks to the Almighty for preserving Happy Grove over the years and spoke about the many successes of the school. He urged his congregation to become like the biblical Caleb and to emulate Solomon in all his wisdom.
After the singing of the hymn, “All Things Bright And Beautiful”, there was a period of quiet meditation in keeping with the tradition of the Friends Church. This was followed by the offering and the closing prayer by Pastor Eugene Wolfley.
The final act of celebration at the church was the symbolic ringing of the bell one hundred and ten times, each in recognition of a year of Happy Grove’s existence. This was done by alumni who volunteered to participate.
The festive, homecoming atmosphere of meeting and greeting continued in the church yard as the Happy Grove family moved towards the dining room for Sunday brunch. This was provided by alumni and local businesses who contributed in cash and kind.
A sumptuous, delicious meal was served by members of the executive of The Jamaica Chapter of Alumni. Alumnus Devon Nelson– Phillips had the responsibility for catering to this spread, a wide variety from which to choose – the ever familiar curried goat, fried, jerked and baked chicken, rice and peas, white rice, macaroni salad, tossed salad, fruit punch and sodas among other favourites. Dessert provided more variety – potato pudding, gizzadas, fruit salad, different cakes and other sweet treats.
Sunday was an overall excellent day, the result of the hard work, planning and co-ordinating of the executive of the Jamaica Chapter.
Alumni to Whom President, Tedroy McNabb, Offered Special Thanks:–
The Executive of the Jamaica Chapter ( Elaine Neufville, Lorna Allen-Lowe, Pearline Carr, Rosemarie Lammie-Shirley, Clement Burnett, Glen Warren, Wavel Dale, Phillipia Phillips, Monica Bigby-Milloy, Joan Mason-Thomas, Devon Nelson-Phillips, Eileen Thompson), Ernest Ho, Patricia Hunter, Sonia Gray, Hugh Gray, Dr Lilieth Johnson– Whittaker, Maurice Mason, Maudlyn Mason: Dr Shirley Bailey, Ann Ramsay, Maulyn McNabb, Neil Glasgow, Denver Drysdale, Linston Lawrence, Andrea Wilkie, Jean Wilson-Stewart, Veena Nichols—McDonald, Carlton Brown.
Written by: Maudlyn Mason
Happy Grove School
Hector’s River, Portland , Jamaica W.I.
110th Anniversary Celebrations
May 2, 2008
Citation to Stanlie Parkins, O.D. – Patricia Hunter
Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to pay tribute to Stanlie Parkins, a former student, teacher and Acting Principal at Happy Grove School.
Mr. Parkins was a student at Happy Grove during the years 1939 to 1943. In January, 1946, he was appointed a History teacher at Happy Grove. Joining the school staff at the same time, was a Miss Fay Powell, an instructor in the Languages, especially Latin. Miss Powell would later become Mrs. Faye Parkins.
In 1951, he left to study at Wilmington College, Ohio, (a Quaker institution). His decision to study at Wilmington may have been influenced by Dr. Wendell G. Farr, former Registrar of Wilmington College, who also joined the staff at Happy Grove in 1946. Dr. Farr was also the minister at Seaside Church, and Superintendent of the Jamaica Yearly Meeting of Friends.
While at Wilmington College, Mr. Parkins majored in English and earned a Bachelor of Art degree. He returned to Happy Grove in 1953 as an English teacher. He would continue to work at his alma mater until 1961. His teaching career continued at York Castle High School, while his wife, Faye molded young female leaders at St. Hilda’s High School.
Mr. Parkins, I was too young to have had your influence as a teacher at Happy Grove, for as fate would have it, you departed prior to my enrollment there, yet I am one of the recipients of your stellar legacy.
Nonetheless, I have enjoyed a certain silent pride, just knowing that a noble and true son of my alma mater is among the illustrious pioneers that steered a school in its infancy to a place of pride among Jamaica ’s educational institutions. Ladies and gentlemen, I refer to his 1965 appointment as Principal of Morant Bay High School.
Mr. Parkins, not only were you a “Grovian” taking charge, but history will record that you were the first Jamaican to be appointed principal at that institution; as William Haydn Middleton, who you succeeded was a Welshman. By the time you left, (some 21 years after) you had taken that institution to one of high academic standards and good moral standing.
Despite attending universities in the United States and the United Kingdom, you always returned to your homeland to make your contribution. Happy Grove, York Castle , Morant Bay and St. Thomas Technical are the benefactors of your touch. You entered the teaching profession at a time when there was a severe shortage of teachers, due to the war, and I am sure there was little monetary compensation. I would like to think that your sterling dedication is based on the patriotic zeal infused in the education you received at Happy Grove.
Undoubtedly, one of your greatest pleasures in life has been to do the job you loved – teaching, and teaching in a place you love, your hometown of Morant Bay. That was an exciting time as you seized the opportunity to make secondary education available to many children in the Parish of St. Thomas.
In an important way, teachers set the tone for society. I am certain that all of us gathered here, can recall a teacher who made a difference in our lives, one who steered us in the right direction or showed faith in us early on, or encouraged us when things weren’t going well. I can remember so many.
To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, a great American poet and philosopher, life is but the angle of vision, and as such a man is measured by the angle at which he looks at objects. Life is but what a man thinks of all day. That is his fate and his employer. Knowing is the measure of the man. By how much we know, so are we. Mr. Parkins, you have been measured by your principled approach to education and your contribution to humanity.
You hold a critically important place in the life of our nation, not just because of the skills you imparted, though that would be sufficient, but because you shaped the students into the citizens they have become. …And you did this by being the kind of person that we would want our children to become. Calm, co-operative, conscientious and congenial, are among your finest attributes. You toiled with quiet confidence and little fanfare, not always receiving the praise you deserved. For the love of education, you gave up your first retirement to serve as Acting Principal of Stokes Hall Secondary, now (St. Thomas Technical).
Your kindness and the values you live by have echoed down the decades. To quote Henry Adams, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” In May, 1998, our own, Dr. Hugh Norton Duhaney expressed similar sentiments at the Centennial Anniversary celebrations. In reflecting on his high school years, Dr. Duhaney, proudly pointed out that it was under the tutelage of Dr. Kenneth B.M. Crooks (deceased Headmaster) and Mr. Stanlie Parkins, English teacher extraordinaire that he had an introduction to English Literature of the Masters.
Your commitment to service was not confined to the classroom, but to the community at large. You served as a member of the Hospital Management Board, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the St. Thomas Festival Committee and the Principals of High Schools group.
Throughout all your many contributions to society you have had the constant support of your elegant wife, Faye, a highly respected Latin teacher among “Grovians,” and the love of your children, Charles, Helen and Robert.
Mr. Parkins, you have been an exemplary Jamaican, of whom we all can be proud. I am proud to say, “Hail the man,” he is an alumnus of my alma mater. I now present this award in recognition of your contribution.
Patricia C. Hunter
Mrs. Retinella Jangalee
Mrs. Retinella Jangalee (Ms. Rety) mother of Happy Grove Alumni Barbara (McCalla) Lee and Desmon Jangalee, passed away November 4, 2008.
A Thanksgiving service for her life will be held at the Medowvale Seventh Day Adventist Church on November 19, 2008.
The church is located on Chancery St, Medowbrook.
Mr. Israel Guiness
Mr Israel Guiness former teacher and alumnus left us on Saturday August 2nd , 2008
Thanksgiving service was held at The Swallowfield Chapel on Wednesday 13th August 2008, at 2:00 pm.
Mr. Guiness had been a faithful Alumnus. He even attended The 110th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio on Friday 2nd May 2008.
Mr. Guiness taught Chemistry and Biology at Happy Grove from 1963 to 1966.
May his soul rest in peace.
HAPPY GROVE SCHOOL
HAPPY GROVE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
110 TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION
Date: April 27 to May 3, 2008
ACTIVITIES
- SUNDAY April 27, 2008
Service of Thanksgiving and Brunch
Service will commence at 10:00 A.M. at Seaside Friends Church. Tents will be erected complete with big screen television to take overflow from church.
The brunch will begin at about 1:00 P.M..
- TUESDAY April 29, 2008
School Open Day – Past/Present Students Interaction Day (8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Each class is expected to put its work on display for parents and past students. Session with past students will also be held.
At about 3:00 P.M Performing Arts show by the school.
- WEDNESDAY April 30, 2008
Cookout – Innes Bay Beach (11:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
- FRIDAY MAY 2, 2008
Reunion Gala – Ken Wright Pier, Port Antonio Marina
A ticketed event. Catering by Norma’s At the Marina
Dress: Business Suit.
Coctails: 7:00 P.M.
Dinner: 8:00 P.M.
Guest speaker
Persons to be Honoured – The oldest living Happy Grovian, The Jones Family
- SATURDAY MAY 3, 2008
Fun Day – Happy Grove Playing Field (9:00 A.M. – 5:00P.M.)
20/20 match between past and present students.
Football match
Final Fete – School Compound (9:00 P.M.)
For the service, transport will be provided from Kingston, St, Thomas and from Port Antonio.
Happy Grove School Alumni Association
June 27, 2007
Dear Grovians
Our Alma Mater will be celebrating its 110th anniversary in May 2008. The Jamaica Chapter of the Alumni Association along with the Board of Management, the Principal, Staff and students will be hosting a grand reunion celebration between April 27 and May 3, 2008.
This is a call to ‘Grovians”, all over the world, to plan to be at the reunion. The proposed activities can be viewed by clicking on “Activities”. Please let us have your feedback.
All activities will be held in Eastern Portland, with most activities in close proximity to the school. The exception is the Gala which will be held at the Errol Flynn Marina, in Port Antonio.
We would like to hear from you before October 30, 2007.
Regards.
Sincerely yours
Clement Burnett
Chairman Reunion Committee
President’s Report —–Happy Grove Alumni Association 2006 —2007.
Let me give thanks to GOD for allowing us to meet once more to plan for the continued viability of our Association . Another year has passed and I want to thank :
1. The members of the executive.
2. The Happy Grove Community ; including the Board , the students , the School administration .
3. Past students who live abroad (and especially those who continue to give of their time, effort and cash ) .Those who continue to play their role as Mentors and those who take time out to travel to Jamaica to attend our various functions.
4. Members of The Jamaica Yearly Meeting of Friends and Friends International who continue to support our School and to allow the association to use their facilities and to support our functions.
5. Members of Our Association who always give their support in cash and advice.
6. Sonia Gray ; who allow us to have all our executive meetings at Alhambra Inn , and allow us to have our annual dinner there at minimal cost ,even though the service is first class.
7. Mentors continue to support their mentees . Some are seeing excellent results.
May God continue to bless you all, may He strengthen those of us who are not as yet committed to the cause of Our Alma Mater.
Since our last A.G.M. on 11 th March 2006 , we have not been able to achieve all we set out to achieve , but we will not be daunted by things over which we have no control. It is a relentless struggle and a microcosm of life . Grovians ,it doesn’t matter what the half time score ,we will play TO FULLTIME. I am optimistic that you will continue to give your support , because we all owe a debt of gratitude to Happy Grove School ; whatever impediment there might be remember life’ s journey is full of ups and downs ,of hills and valleys ,of corners and bad roads ,but as our school motto says :ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR ACTION.
On Saturday May 27 th 2006 we had an oldies party at J.P.S. sports club on Ruthven Road in Kingston . The attendance was extremely poor and the association loss money.
Mentor Day 2006 on 10 th May 2006 was a flop . Only Clement Burnett and I attended.
Annual Christmas Dinner at Alhambra on Saturday December 9 th 2006 was a success in terms of attendance. 110 persons attended ; including 5 students who were honoured ,Board members , The principal ,The Wolfleys , and Spouses of alumni members . The three honourees were Tedroy Mcnabb, Sonia Gray and Violet Reid. Maurice Mason was the guest speaker; he invited and thanked his former teacher Mrs. Lowe ;who was his form teacher and taught him Spanish. Our M.C was Valton Barrett . Pat Hunter brought greetings form the New York Chapter Maurice , Valton and Pat came to Jamaica to attend the function . The Endowment Fund was launched and pledges for $285000 was received.
The principal Lauriston Lindsay brought greetings , and 5 students were honoured for achievement ; Roy Forbes for football , Akino Ming for track and field, Sherry – Gaye Green for conduct and deportment ,and Vendell Gordon and Dexter Barrett for academic excellence. Ann Ramsay reminisce on 1950’s . We had a great night. Pictures taken can be seen on the website gallery.
We have still not collected all the returns, but we have paid Alhambra.
In January 2007 we read a citation to Revs. Eugene and Frances Wolfley and presented them with a gift for the wonderful services they gave to our School . This was at a farewell function which the Jamaica Yearly meeting held for them . Pictures taken and a copy of the citation was sent to you by email. The Citation was laminated and presented to them at our annual Happy Grove Sunday ,which was held on Sunday April 15 th . We intend to continue this event.
December 9 th 2007 is set and booked for Annual Dinner this year.The new Executive will plan and execute.
We continue to support the School’ s sports programme, but we are not satisfied that enough is being done to allow the students to achieve their true potential.
The Mentorship programme is in limbo. We need to revive it , with more help from the School. . Please make suggestions on the way forward.
Karen Johns ; a past student who lives in the U.S.A .and hails from Kensington has given a scholarship grant to aid 3 students who live in Kensington for 2007—2008 school year.
I have been having discussions with persons from K.C (since we have similar blazer) to provide a School Blazer.
In 2008 our School will be 110 years old . Persons have made the request for us to stage a REUNION in 2008. This is an excellent suggestion. It could be a week of activities ,but will be a massive endeviour , involving a lot of work; ;marketing, advertising, logistics, finance , public relations, etc. We need suggestions and volunteers.
An alumni directory was done , but I think it is inadequate . I have taken on the responsibility to get a proper one done; where you can make changes to your copy without any problem . This will be ready and sent to your emails within the next two weeks. Those of you who do not have email will be able to get a copy for a small contribution.
I am proposing that we have meetings in Morant Bay and Portland to motivate past students in those areas to feel more part of the association ,and become more active. We will discuss this at the meeting.
There is a proposal to increase the annual dues from $ 500 to $1000 You can give back to the school by leaving an Insurance Policy in trust for your school. This is how it works;
Purchase a policy on your life and make the school the beneficiary. The policy will provide a guaranteed payment of cash to the school when you die. It can be protected by Govt. regulations ( FSC ACT). The funds can be professionally managed.
Participants will be honoured by having the fund named after them.
Finally ; I would ask that we propose to manage Sports within the School .What do you think.
Grovians ; I believe in term limits ; None of us have all the answers to all the problems of the world or in this case ,our school . I have served for a long time as President and I am willing to work with others. Let us step up to the plate , it is high time we choose new leadership for our association. Many thanks for the support .
Tedroy Mcnabb ( president).
Winning Martin Luther King essay depicts ghetto life
Roland Henry, Observer staff reporter
Thursday, April 26, 2007
The United States Embassy in conjunction with the Observer TEENage magazine yesterday awarded the top four entrants of the Martin Luther King Jnr Essay Competition, at a function held at the Observer’s headquarters in Kingston. Here (from left) runner-up in the 17-19 years category Britni Henderson of Immaculate Conception High School student; 17-19 years category winner Tsarita Brown of Meadowbrook High; Glenn Guimond, US Embassy public affairs officer; Brenda LaGrange Johnson US Ambassador to Jamaica; Edward Khoury, CEO of the Jamaica Observer; Ardenne High School student Chrishauna Christie, and Happy Grove student Wayne Scott, winner and runner-up in the 13-16 category, respectively pose for the camera following the presentations. (Photo: Michael Gordon)
Four Jamaican students were yesterday acknowledged as the top performers in the annual Martin Luther King Jnr (MLKJ) Essay Competition – a joint venture between the United States Embassy and the Observer TEENage magazine. Chrishuana Christie of Ardenne High School placed first in the 17-19 age category and Meadowbrook sixth form student Tsarita Brown second in the 13-16 age category. Happy Grove High School student Wayne Scott (13-16 years) and Britni Henderson (17-19 years) of Immaculate Conception High School were second prize winners. “The competition, in its third year, wholistically encourages both secondary and tertiary students to read, research and write, all of which are activities that embody the spirit of Journalism,” said Jamaica Observer CEO Edward Khoury. He noted too, that youths’ initiative to interpret Dr King’s teachings and apply it to their respective lifestyles was something laudable. “This indicates to us that the era (in which Dr King lived) may be different but the principles (he taught) are still the same.”
US Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson concurred, noting that this year’s contest focused on “Dr King’s conquering of self-centerdness” and that, “his life was inspiration itself”. “You don’t have to be a Dr King to make a difference,” she argued, adding that, “the Jamaica Observer deserves commendation for not only providing information for citizens but for supporting the development of the nation’s future through TEENage.” “The focus on the word ‘citizen’ is a call to take responsibility in creating a just world, not only for one’s self but for everyone,” said Glenn Guimond, public affairs officer at the US Embassy. He added that the over 70 participants shared what embracing the full meaning of citizenship could do to help create a just and free Jamaica for all. “Dr King devoted his life to a future where the dignity of every person is respected and where the hope of a better tomorrow is in every neighbourhood,” he said. At the presentation, Christie read her winning essay, which depicted life inside her neighbourhood, in the often-volatile community of Grant’s Pen, St Andrew. She highlighted unemployment, crime and violence and lack of proper parenting/mentorship as three things that plague Jamaica, especially the inner city. “Many times on my way home from school I have seen the results of unlawful activities… on Friday, January 19 of this year, a woman was shot and killed in cross-fire while on her way to work, an innocent victim, a mother shot while trying to earn a living,” Christie wrote. In her speech, she offered skills training, community policing and youth clubs as viable programmes that might alleviate some of the problems in Jamaica. “It is time that we stop blaming others and take responsibility…Grants Pen has improved over recent years and this is because residents have also taken responsibility and helped others.” Tsarita Brown also read, highlighting “respect for others and a desire to be caring” as traits of good citizens. She pointed to Dr King’s desire to improve the lives of black people not only in America but throughout the world. “I, like Martin Luther King, can choose to empathise with others so that there will always be a humane aspect to my work. a better Jamaica is only possible if each person becomes aware of what his or her role is,” she added. TEENage Writers’ Club president Brandon Allwood lauded the winning essays, describing them as “clear, concise and poignant”. The winners received a one-year subscription to the Observer newspaper, CXC Lecture Series books, $20,000 as well as print and electronic literature on Martin Luther King Jnr. The runners-up were also awarded with a one-year subscription to the Observer, CXC Lecture Series books, $10,000 as well as print and electronic literature on Martin Luther King Jnr. The competition, which opened last November, celebrates the life and teachings of King who is honoured in the United States as not only a black activist but a humanitarian. In 1964, he received the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and was one of stalwarts of the African American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. He was fatally shot by an assassin in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. The US marks Martin Luther King Day on January 15 each year
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