Labor Omnia Vincit

Merl Grove High School was founded in 1924 by Nathaniel Speid

Former Minister of TourismH

Aloun Ndombet Assamba (Woods)

Class of '71 Merl Grove High School. Aloun

A trained lawyer and astute businesswoman, Minister of Tourism, Entertainment & Culture, Mrs. Aloun N'Dombet-Assamba, is one of the three women who will serve as Ministers in the Cabinet. 

She is known for her contribution to several areas of Jamaican and Caribbean life and has participated in diverse fields such as community and civic service, politics, government, law and business.

Moving from her position as General Manager of the City of Kingston Co-operative Credit Union where she won such accolades as the "Woman of the Year Award", Mrs. Assamba entered politics as a Government Senator.

Prior to her involvement in politics she held such positions as Deputy Chairman of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; Acting Chairman of the Fair Trading Commission; Member of the Jamaica Bar Association and Chairman of Moneague Primary and Junior High Schools.

Several organizations and institutions including the Heinz Foundation, which in 1991 named her the first Caribbean national to be awarded the prestigious Heinz Fellowship, have recognized her 'best' attributes.  In 1999 she was named "Woman of the Year", by the American Biographical Institute and appointed to the Professional Advisory Board.

She was also named "one of the Future Leaders of the Commonwealth" in 1986 when she participated in the Sixth Commonwealth Duke of Edinburgh Study Conference in Sydney, Australia, and in 2000 received the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Award from the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, for professional achievements in 2000.

Her history of community involvement includes holding leadership positions in many aid and service organizations such as United Way of Jamaica, Jamaica Cancer Society, the Dispute Resolution Foundation and the Association of Development Agencies.

Mrs. N'Dombet-Assamba was born on February 27, 1955, in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. She has one child. She attended Moneague Primary School, Fern Court High, Merl Grove High, Alpha Academy, the University of the West Indies, the Norman Manley Law School, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Institute of Management and Production.

Mrs. Denise Williams holds grade seven certificates in piano and theory of music from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. She is former vocalist with renown gospel group, the Grace Thrillers, backup singer for the Barbara Jones album Thank You Lord.and also for her latest CD So Much To Thank Him For (which was recorded and mixed at the ColeMusiq recording facility). Mrs. Williams is a full-time music teacher at Merl Grove High School.

Title: Si Mi Yah
Compiled by: Phyllis Ramsay- Mensah
Reviewed by: AW Sangster

SI MI YAH: A life Story is an Arawak Publication in 2004 and is an autobiography of one of Jamaica's pioneering social workers compiled by Phyllis Ramsay-Mensah.

As the writer explains in the introduction, the task of compiling the autobiographical material of Dorritt Bent was a challenge and an inspiration. This is also the message in the foreword by Dr. Maitland Evans the General Secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

He says: This book celebrates the wonderful ways in which Dorritt's presence as a community worker found favour and acceptance in the yards in Trench Town as well as the patios of the privileged.

In two years from the date of the publication Dorritt Bent will be an octogenarian, but it is the measure of this Jamaican icon to be very active in her retirement environment in Spalding as local Justice of the Peace, community leader, environmentalist, health activist, fitness buff and United Church stalwart.

Growing up in the country, Dorritt was the tenth child of Georgena and Egbert Bent, educators in the district of Carron Hall in the parish of St. Mary. Her father was the Principal of the local school and in addition was: lay preacher, letter-writer, agriculturalist, choirmaster and family counselor.

Dorritt growing up in a 'Teacher's Cottage' saw her father as the 'head cook and bottle washer in the community'. Her mother was equally involved in the work of the Church as Sunday school teacher and as supporter of the family connections to the Carron Hall Presbyterian Church (now the United Church).

This early connection will explain Dorritt's life long links with the denomination and in particular her strong later connections in Kingston with the Webster Memorial United Church.

In those early days without the benefit of telephones, television and other forms of entertainment, the children learned to entertain themselves and did a lot of walking, often in groups. The habit of walking has not left Dorritt who in life has climbed to the Blue Mountain peak and continues the practice in her retirement.

School in Kingston was first at the Half-Way-Tree Elementary School where Edith Dalton James made a strong impression on this bright and precocious little girl. Merl Grove High was next and she has fond memories of Gladys Allen who taught the girls English "how to sing properly".

The knowledge paid off as the school in 1935 won the three coveted awards of the Schools Singing Festival and Dorritt was one of the singers. School life was not easy as her mother had to struggle to find the resources to send and keep the children in school.

As a teenager Dorritt became involved in the fledging Webster Memorial Church and was one of the early pioneers as Primary Sunday School leader, helping in the club for "household helpers" then called "servants" and later to become a church leader and elder.

As Dorritt became more involved and drawn to social work, a one year course in Social Service organised by the Central Council for Voluntary Social Services provided the beginning of her lifelong commitment to service.

The course was more than staid lectures, for fieldwork and visits were a part of the programme. Here at the Hanson Home for lepers and the Child Welfare Centre she began to catch the vision of hurting humanity and what she could do about it.

She became a pioneer in Trench Town where the idea of community upliftment through social work and volunteerism were key elements in the vision to make a difference in the lives of -- in particular -- young women of an inner city community.

Trench Town at that particular time was seen as one of, if not the major inner city (Ghetto Community) area. Dorritt took the idea of developing a club centre in the area under the aegis of the YWCA, which was later to be known as the Trench Town Club Centre (TTCC).

In a chapter in the book titled: Self recognition at Trench Town, the story is told of how Dorritt sold the idea of the Club to the residents of the area. In the initial period of planning and preparation: Dorritt would walk by the open gutters teaming with stagnant water litter and organisms, past the dogs, the hawkers, scufflers and hustlers, the majority of whom were struggling to make a bread, so as to avoid having to go back to their rural homesteads or to end up in jail.

With her broad hat and bag in hand in those early pioneering days she was often asked, "What are you selling? Her prompt reply was "Good News". After walking and talking about the idea for many weeks the first meeting saw some sixty shy girls ranging in ages from six to twenty-five who came to see what it was all about. In the six months that followed some three hundred girls and women had joined.

Things were not always a bed of roses Dorritt reflected: "At the first keep-fit class which was held there were more people standing outside the room than inside. Girls stood without, some jeering, some laughing, others shouting, and some threw stones on the roof".

But Dorritt persisted and gradually the Centre took off in the community. Reflecting on the Trench Town Saga and the impact on the lives that she touched Dorritt remarked:
"There was talk about what I did for them, "how I showed them life" and "believed in them" and gave them "a break" so that they were able to develop into responsible human beings.

The potential was there, I only planted the seed - prodding, counseling, inculcating skills and being a role model - in fact they were the ones that made it happen".
Lady Sylvia Foot the Governor's wife in reflecting on the impact of the club wrote these comments:

"I see the faces of young women coming, those first nights, shy and hesitant, just to see, with little or no intention of returning. I feel the delight of seeing them return, of seeing them not only take part in all club activities but soon to become anxious to give a lead.

The sudden flowering of imagination and enthusiasm, the eagerness to learn to dressmake, to cook, to delight in dancing, the quick understanding of how to conduct meetings, the unexpected talent for speaking in public. Hidden talents revealed giving a splendid self-confidence and a fierce pride in the club which these young women had joined with indifference and suspicion".

Truly the YWCA Club Centre, located at the corner of Seventh Street and Collie Smith Drive, was a beacon of hope in West Kingston and it was a crucial time of self recognition for Dorritt. A two-year training period in Toronto was to fit Dorritt for her position as Executive Secretary of the Kingston YWCA.

She held this position for a year and then felt the call to work with the visually challenged and she accepted the position of Administrative Secretary for the Jamaican Society for the Blind, a position she was to hold for over fifteen years.

This position provided the opportunities for relationships with other organisations dealing with the handicapped in society. Visits to the USA and the UK were all experiences that broadened her horizons and gave opportunities to renew friendships or make new ones.

Quite apart from her formal social work which had a fundamental Christian underpinning, Dorritt was also formally involved with the Caribbean Conference of Churches. This connection led to a visit with a group to Russia and a number of other Eastern European countries. It was a hectic and informative tour and meeting with believers in those countries strengthened her own faith.

The year 2001 was a special year for Dorritt. It was the year when she received several special awards in recognition of her community service.

-First there was the National Award, the Order of Distinction (OD)

- Then there was the National Volunteer Award for Excellence that she received with four others from the Parish

- Next was the Award of Excellence for outstanding service in the area of social development and

- Finally, Dorritt was the recipient of the very prestigious individual award to mark the International Year of the Volunteer.

These awards were a tribute to her extensive involvement with a large number of volunteer organisations some for over some sixty years.

Retirement to Spalding has not been a sinecure, but rather has involved a significant amount of innovative community work as well as involvement with the local United Church. Never idle this Jamaican icon has won a name and respect for herself in her adopted community.

The book of over 180 pages is packed with good quality photographs. From time to time, the narrative is interspersed with homely and sometime amusing Jamaica proverbs and local wisdom.

Dorritt discusses men and marriage in a frank way and essentially choose the path of singleness as her way of service. It will be an inspiration particularly to many a young girl faced with the challenges of growing up in the Jamaica of today. But it is inspiring history as it records what one committed individual can achieve.

Commander Creary - New beginnings for a naval mom
published: Sunday | October 30, 2005

Denise Creary

Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer

"By doing what needs to be done right now, We make the most of each present moment."
- Anonymous

WITH HER dark, close cropped hair and a youthful, creamy complexion , few would make the guess that Denise McCallaCreary is a retired naval commander.

McCallaCreary was only 19 when she enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves in October 1973. Twenty-seven years later, she took her official departure from the service.

The Commander was sent out in an impressive ceremony on October 27, 2000 - after nearly three decades of service - to the strains of the ceremonial "piping over the side" and with accolades and awards from her peers and superiors and with family and well-wishers present.

Commander McCallaCreary's military awards and decorations include Joint Service Meritorious medal; Joint Service Achievement medal and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award.

She was also awarded the Navy Reserve Meritorious Service medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; National Defence Medal with bronze star in lieu of second award; Humanitarian Service medal; and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Outlook caught up with the Commander in Kingston recently and chatted about her efforts to start a home-based business as an independent sales representative, and her work with the Merl Grove High School Past Students' Association, north-east American chapter.

The Commander does not look her 51 years, but one would also never guess that the reason why she retired from the naval forces was in order to look after a very young family.

Married late in her career to Trevor Anthony Creary, formerly of Kingston, Commander McCallaCreary is the mother of Matthew Alexander, daughter Karlene Elizabeth, and middle child Christopher Anthony.

Wishing to spare her family the stress of moving from naval location to naval location and wanting to spend more time with her growing children, she departed from the naval services.

Born Denise Jacqueline McCallaCreary, the commander is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, whose family migrated to the United States after she passed the examination to attend Merl Grove High School.

Passion for the high seas

Denise enlisted in the Naval Reserves right after completing high school in the United States because, she said, she really did not have her mind set on anything else and the military seemed like a good option.

The young recruit served as an Aviation Storekeeper at Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois and also started on a programme of study that led to a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Spanish from Northeastern Illinois University by 1978.

In December 1978, she was assigned Temporary Active (TEMAC) duty with the Navy Recruiting District, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Recruiting District's community relation's petty officer where she earned the Recruiting Gold Wreath for her recruiting efforts. This tour was highlighted by her being selected to attend Officer Candidate School where she was commissioned an Ensign in November 1979.

McCallaCreary's first assignment was as the Public Affairs Officer at Naval Air Station, Bermuda. During this assignment, she earned the Chief of Information Merit Award for exemplary achievement.

In February 1982, she reported for duty with the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS), Washington, D.C. where she served as the Assistant Head, Family Housing, Plans and Policy Division. The division was responsible for administering Navy's housing programme worldwide.

Her studies continued and in July 1985, she was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Transportation Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Next she tackled Navy Transportation Management School in Oakland, California.

From December 1987 to April 1991, she served consecutively as the Administrative Officer and Director, Family Service Centre, Naval Air Station, Moffett Field, California. She transferred to Naval Station, Treasure Island, California as the Director, Family Service Centre until October 1991 when she assumed command of the Naval Transient Personnel Unit, Treasure Island, California, until March 1994. With a commitment to continuous development, Commander McCallaCreary went on to the Naval War College; Newport, Rhode Island where she was awarded a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies in 1995.

Steady growth

The next stop was the U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida where she served concurrently as the Navy/Marine Corps Branch Chief and the Navy Element Executive Officer.

Commander McCallaCreary became the National Security Affairs/Intelligence Curricular Officer, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California in May 1998.

On the nostalgic day of her retirement on October 27, 2000, a poem emblazoned on the programme for her retirement ceremony read:

By doing what needs to be done right now

We make the most of each present moment

As long as we are alive

we are always free to begin again

Instead of following an old worn-out habit

Make a fresh start this moment on the rest of your life

Each day is a new start

Each moment is a new beginning

- Anonymous

For her, retirement to look after her growing children and support her husband was the right thing to do in October 2000. She has turned to setting up a home-based business in order to facilitate this new dream.

Her time is now divided between her family and supporting her community through her work in various organisations.

Commander MCallaCreary is immediate past president of the Jamaica Association of Northern California (JANC)and continues to work with the body.

Life member

She is also very active in the Merl Grove Past Students' Association and remains a life member of the Naval officer's Association.

Currently, she is a s vice-president of the National Naval Officers Association - San Francisco Bay Area chapter.

This woman of new beginnings believes that the government of Jamaica is really not tapping into the resources available in the form of expatriate Jamaicans as much and as well as it should. Jamaicans abroad represent a resource that is vastly under-utilised.

She stands waiting, a part of a vast army numbering hundreds of thousands - who she believes are all ready and willing to serve.

This grade seven class is being taught Social Studies by student substitute teachers. Merl Grove grade 11 and grade 12 students can opt to be substitute teachers as a part of their community service requirement. (Photos by: Bryan Cummings) On the outside, Merl Grove appears to be your typical all-girls high school, but according to Senior Vice Principal Veta Rowe, Merl Grove is Jamaica's best kept secret. This is not only because of the dedication to the education of its 1,400 students but also the students' well being. Numerous studies have shown that students who consume breakfast in the morning perform well in school, and it is with this in mind that the administrators at Merl Grove, along with the school's Past Student Association, have established a breakfast programme, which benefits some 100 students.   WE ARE A CARING SCHOOL... Amy Allen, Principal of Merl Grove High School. The programme caters to students who may not have had the time to eat breakfast in the morning and individuals who may be travelling from outside the Kingston Metropolitan Area, and even outside Kingston and St Andrew, such as students from Portland and St Mary. These students are able to obtain a warm breakfast for $20.00. According to Principal Amy Allen, the price is so economical that some girls purchase two breakfasts, saving one for their lunch. Merl Grove also has a Welfare Programme, where bursaries of $10,000 are handed out by the Parent Teacher Association to assist students who have financial difficulties. The bursaries can be used to cover expenses such as school fees, bus fares and books. Last school year, 15 students benefited from the programme. "No student having problems has to fear whether or not she will be able to complete her education," said a proud Allen, adding, "We are known to be a caring school." Another programme which Allen and Vice Principal Veta Rowe believe is unique to Merl Grove is known as the Dental Lab. Dentists come in during the course of the school week to work at the lab. And through this facility, Merl Grove is able to care for the oral hygiene of its students and staff. Once again Merl Grove is in the news and the cheerleading team was crowned winner of the annual cheerleading competition for best chants, cheers and techniques.

TYRONE'S WATCH - Remember Shakara Harris? - Three years after fatal accident, crossing Constant Spring Road still dangerous
published: Tuesday | May 1, 2007

Alicia Fleming 

Alicia Fleming was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She attended Merl Grove High School. However, she migrated to the United States where she finished high school in Indiana. She attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio majoring in Foreign Languages and is currently pursuing her teachers license at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana to teach French, Spanish and ESL (English as a Second Language).

She currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and lives with her son Justin, who is very creative in his own right. She speaks French, Spanish, English and English Creole (Patois). She hopes to publish a collection of poems in Patoi some time in the future and also hopes to publish in French and Spanish. She has traveled to Europe and Canada. She has been writing poetry since she was about 8 years old and enjoys it very much. She first got exposed to poetry in the 2nd grade in Jamaica. Poetry for her is an extension of self. It is her passion...

When Caribbean fashionweek ended it was Pulse model Carla Campbell who emerged as the muse of all muses. Carla's very untypical model curves, her sensuality, knowledge of the clothes and most importantly, a knowledge of just how the designers wanted them worn, gained her much acclaim. All Woman caught up with this twenty-something-year-old after the show.

AW: What does Carla do when she's not modelling?

Carla: I am a graduate of Merl Grove High School and The University of Technology. At UTECH, I completed a diploma in Office Administration and Technology. Since I plan to open my own business one of these days I'm currently enrolled at Brooklyn College where I'm studying Business Management. In between modelling, and studying I love to do creative dancing.

AW: How do you keep that fab body in shape?

Carla: (Much chuckle...) I've never been to the gym. It's in the genes.

On things she can't live without: "My lip gloss. I think my lips are very sensual and I'd like to keep them that way. You look at my lips and you think: 'Whoa, I'd like to kiss that girl!'"

Carla Campbell was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She was discovered in 1997 when she entered a big model competition in Jamaica and placed in the top three. She has been shot for the cover of Esquire magazine and has appeared in Maxim, FHM, Cosmopolitan, and Victoria's Secret.

In the summer of 2005, she was inducted into the Pulse Fashion and Beauty Hall of Fame. Carla also appears in the 2006 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

(Text of the eulogy read at the service of thanksgiving for Pastor White)

Only Four Remained (an introduction)
We are here today because of what happened to Henry Alexander White seventy-one years ago in 1933. Henry White had a life-transforming encounter with the Living Lord, and it was never the same again. Only four relationships remained with him from then until now: the relationship with his sister Gladys who knew him from infancy; his relationship with Stanley Karram; his relationship with Victor Jones; and his relationship with Rehoboth. 1933 was before he took on family--which meant so much to him. His most immediate family (Sister Olive White, David, Treasure, John Paul) remain the deepest of his earthly relationships, and they have given me the signal honour of chronicling his life in this eulogy. All his relationships touched Rehoboth, and Rehoboth touched all his relationships, for Rehoboth is the one constant from 1933 until the present.

Henry Alexander White was born in Comfort Hall, Manchester on the first day of April in 1915. He was the third of four children born to Albert White and Christiana Gibson, his siblings being Gladys, Joslyn, and Samuel. He attended school in the area of his birth reaching third year Jamaica Local by age 16.

At 17, he came to Kingston and had a desire to be a teacher, but took a job instead at the National Water Commission. He learnt masonry, and worked in the building trade before going on his own as a contractor.

When we look back now, we are able to see that above everything else, Henry White was a churchman, a church statesman. His life could be eulogized in other ways--as a family man, or as a businessman. But across this nation, in parts of England, in parts of the United States and Canada, the name Henry Alexander White or simply Pastor White means churchman. His church life can be partitioned in three segments.

PREPARATION (1933-1946)
The first would be the years of preparation--from salvation in 1933 to 1946. Most of those years, Henry was hard at work for himself. The hard work took a toll on Henry's church life, not that it stopped him from attending. In fact, he never missed a meeting, Sunday or mid-week. But he was often sleeping during the meetings, so much so that a concerned brother told him it was better for him to go home and rest. Henry was undaunted. He shook the sleep off enough to reply that he "would rather be sleeping in God's house", than awake outside (White 1989-1993). Every ounce of energy that he was able to muster after a hard day or week was given to meetings. He learned all he could from his father in the faith, Brother Stanley Harris. He helped Brother Harris in every way that he could.

His last major move of preparation for life in this period was when he took Muriel Mae Manyan to be his wife on December 31, 1941. From that union came Joy, David, Treasure, and Heather.

PLANTING (1946-1964)
Suddenly, much was expected from the team of five (or six) men that assembled at the home of Pastor Stanley Harris in 1946. Pastor Harris migrated and left the future of the church, humanly speaking, to these men. Henry White boldly assumed leadership as only a man of his stature could. Under his leadership there was a flurry of fruitfulness in local church foundings:
1947 Grace (Richmond)
1948 Spring Village (acquired)
1948 Carmel
1948 Hebron
1949 Rocky Point
1952 Elim
1953 Nazareth
1956 Olivet (Rock)
1957 Calvary
1957 Bethesda
1959 Hope
1960 Marlborough (Hopewell)
1964 Spalding (acquired from United Brethren)
1964 Duhaney Park

Added to that were those churches that he helped to establish overseas: England (Roundwood, Brixton, Heather Green), and in the United States (Olivet, Glory, Shiloh, Faith), and Haiti. He had even had an idea for a church in Toronto.

PRESERVING (1964-2004)
After giving up business to concentrate on the work of the church and denomination which in 1959 had become vested through Parliament, he sought to preserve the work: through constant visits to the churches local and overseas, and through his writings. He almost single-handedly wrote the following publications: the Ebenezer Bulletin, the Ebenezer Messenger, and various church manuals. After the first draft by Pastor Clive Afflick, he wrote the three published editions of the AGA Handbook and Statement of Faith (1969, 1977, 1991). When the Ebenezer Bulletin was handed over to a committee in the 1980s, he waited to see the publications continue. And when they did not continue with the frequency that was necessary, he in the 1990s began the Missions and Evangelism Bulletin, which was in fact the Ebenezer by another name. He was going to be sure that the history was preserved, and information to the churches was disseminated. It was his calling from God that no one could take away. And what a blessing that he did continue, even to writing his autobiography Crossing The Eighties which so many have read.

Understandably, during this period, church plantings slowed while he concentrated on preserving what was there. Also during this period, close working partnerships developed with colleagues in the AGA such as Pastors Lloyd Bewry, Curtis Cole, and Gladstone Clarke.

The most significant move to take on the preserving of the work was marriage to Olive Lucille Anderson of Bethany after his wife of twenty-one years passed on. That union produced John Paul who grew up in the new Rehoboth at 77 Constant Spring Road after the mission moved across the street from 66 or what later became Springvale Avenue.
He retired from active service in 1999. His accident in 1998 slowed him considerably. He helped in starting the following churches during this period:

1965 Lloyds
1965 Light of Life
1967 Sharon (Contrivance)
1978 Exchange
1978 Portmore
1978 Treadways
1993 Lillifield

In the AGA, Pastor White held these positions during his time:
Overseer
Chairman
Director of Home Missions
Director of Missions & Evangelism
Coordinator of National Men's & Women's Fellowships
Life Member Executive Board
Producer of Gospel Gems Radio Programme

He also served a number of educational institutions in and out of the AGA:
Merl Grove High School, Board member over forty years
Dunrobin Primary School, Chairman many years
Dunrobin High School, Board Member
Dunrobin Prep School, Board Member
Edith Dalton James Comprehensive High, Board Member
Jamaica Bible College, Board Member

ORGANIZATIONS
Jamaica Association of Evangelicals, President; Founding and Life Executive Member
National Crusades (Billy Graham, Ralph Bell, Franklin Graham, Barry Moore, Louis Palau)
Source of Light Mission, Founding Board Member
Jamaica Theological Seminary
Kingston Keswick Convention
Beulah Home For The Aged (AGA), Board Chairman, Manager along with Sister White
Christ For Jamaica Evangelistic Association
International Missionary Fellowship (Jamaica's first missions-sending agency)

AWARDS and RECOGNITION
Order of Distinction (O.D.) from Government of Jamaica (1983)
School Management Award from National Council on Education (2002)
AGA 60th Anniversary Award
AGA Constitution (to be published) dedicated in his honour
The HENRY WHITE BUILDING at Merl Grove High School
The HENRY WHITE HOME FOR THE AGED ( an AGA institution)
Awards and citations too numerous to individually mention from: the Associated Gospel Assemblies, Rehoboth, churches in England, churches in the United States, AGAPE Education Foundation, Portmore Gospel Assembly, Merl Grove High, the Dunrobin Schools, plus literary and verbal decorations from significant church and para-church organizations and individuals.

There is one person who worked with him form the beginning but is not here today. Albert Karram and Henry White at one time came to be called the "Dynamic Duo" for they were the AGA unstoppables. Pastor White concentrated on the churches, and Pastor Karram on the schools by mutual agreement; but they teamed up in common endeavours each giving unmeasured help to the other. And they lived just about the same lifespan--Albert 89 years and 7 months, and Henry 89 years and 8 months.

Pastor White is survived by friends and colleagues and loved ones without number, across this land, region, and hemisphere; related families, the Browns, the Goombs, the Gibsons; sisters-in-law Joyce Lindo and Ruby Anderson; grandchildren Darrell Ford, Enjelique, Daijahnah, Nadine and Peter White, Kristian, Matthew and Rachel Dench; sister Gladys Francis; sons and daughters David & Shyvonne, Treasure, John Paul; and his beloved wife of forty-one precious years, Olive, Aunt Olive, Sister White.

A fitting reward awaits Him! 

On Saturday, June 30th, 2007, West Indian Times attended the 3rd Annual Reunion for Jamaican HS Merl Grove which was held at Unity Christ Church in Gaithersburg, MD. The reunion focused on the need of the organization to continue to assist the Board of Directors of Merl Grove High School in the pursuit of their goal towards furthering the welfare of the school through both financial and personal assistance.

The packed hall was continually entertained and enlightened by a full schedule of events which included:

Welcome by Paula Cole Howard

US National Anthem by Ashley Tracey

Jamaican National Anthem by Nathan Davis

Blessing of food and evening by Mary-Ann Nichols

Music by Steel drummer Wentworth Richardson

Welcome from MC Denise McCalla Creary

Message from Alison Champagnie ‘Lady Cham’

Message from President of Canadian Chapter Claudette Cameron Stewart

Fever sung by Ashley Elizabeth Tracey

Message from NEAC President Andrea McDonald-Black

Performances by Actress Nadean Rawlins

Denise McCalla Creary & The Merl Grove Chubblemakers

Also homage was paid to three teachers, who have together served the institution for 85 years. They are Vice Principals Veta Rowe for 26 years of service Norma Palmer 24 years and retired teachers Enid Robotham  37 years. 

Former Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations, Curtis Ward, was the Keynote Speaker for the evening and urged the Jamaican Diaspora to form partnerships with the government to help improve the country’s education system. "The reality is that no government in the history of Jamaica has ever been able to provide all of the resources needed to create the standard of education required to fulfill the educational needs and to take full advantage of the potential of Jamaica’s youth. "There is an urgent need for the Diaspora to join hands with the government to seriously look at ways to support the educational system, which in the long run, will be beneficial to our country," he stated.

One of the current projects that the Past Student Association is working on is the Shakara Harris Bridge Fund  which was developed out of the unfortunate death of one of MGHS’s first formers on January 23, 2004 by a speeding motorist on Constant Spring Road. This little girls premature death was the subject of much public debate with the NWA and other government agencies. The Board of MGHS gained its desired result when the NWA agreed to construct an overhead pedestrian bridge on Constant Spring Road to be named in Shakara’s honor. As part of the fundraising effort a portion of the proceeds from the sale of "The Merl Grove Story" by Dr. Alfred Sangster will be donated to the "Shakara Harris Bridge Fund." The Association is also funding full scholarships for 12 students at Merl Grove and the Association is calling on all past students, faculty and friends to support this fundraising effort by picking up a copy of "The Merl Grove Story." Inquires should be made to Dr. Sangster at asangster@utech.edu.jm 

Also in attendance at the reunion was Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Dr. Gordon Shirley who has stated that the Jamaican Embassy stands ready to work with the Merl Grove HS PSA to secure the well-being of fellow Jamaicans here in the Diaspora and at home.

The academic performance of Merl Grove seems to be reflective of the school's motto, as the school has a tradition of excellence in the Caribbean Examination Council Examinations (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) with over 80 per cent passes in the recent CAPE exams.

Merl Grove, since its inception in 1924, has been committed to promoting the high academic performances of its students. Students are given incentives, such as the Miriam Speid Award, which is given to the student who best encompasses the principles of lady-likeness, Christian character, a positive work attitude and excellent academic performance.

Merl Grove High School’s Quiz team proudly display the NUCS trophy for being winners of the National Co-operative Quiz competition.

HIGH TECH CROSSING SIGNAL ERECTED AT MERL GROVE HIGH SCHOOL

On Friday, September 3, Minister Robert Pickersgill switched on a new pedestrian signal at the Merl Grove High School on Constant Spring Road. The signal is the first of its kind in the island and comes equipped with a digital countdown clock

The Signal which costs $500,000.00 has been erected and is expected to prevent a recurrence of any loss of life such as that of Shekera Harris, a former student of Merl Grove High school who was killed in an accident in front of her school gate along Constant Spring Road.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Minister Pickegsill expressed sorrow at the loss of the student's life and told the students present that everything is being done to protect the lives of students on the nation's roads.

The signal works by means of a buzzer being pressed after which a counter appears which shows pedestrians how much time they have to cross the road. Pedestrians have eight seconds during which to cross the road.

The Crossing however is a temporary move as an overhead walkway is planned for the school. Principal of Merl Grove, Ms. Amy Allen says that she is looking forward to the construction of that facility as that would be the best thing for the long term and that it (the bridge) would not be impeding the flow of traffic.

Calabar stomps Merl Grove

By ANDREA DOWNER, Staff Reporter

CALABAR HIGH SCHOOL demolished Merl Grove High and sent them packing in their match-up yesterday in the Schools' Challenge Quiz Competition.

The boys from Red Hills Road, St. Andrew, conquered their female opponents in an embarrassing defeat with the scores registering 35-6 in favour of Calabar at the end of the match.

The Calabar team signalled their intention to win early in the match when they closed the first section with 9 points to Merl Grove's 3. They lengthened the lead in the second section which closed with Calabar on 23 and Merl Grove on 8 points.

At the beginning of the final round, it seemed the young men were intent on only one thing ­ sealing their victory. They continued to surge ahead and answered question after question in loud choruses.

The Merl Grove team looked shell-shocked as they virtually reeled under the attack, achieving the dubious distinction of losing two of their 8 points in the final round to end the competition with 6 points. At one point, with only a few minutes remaining in the match, it seemed the Merl Grove team simply sat and waited for the match to end.

Aldion Lee, captain of the Calabar team, told THE STAR that he felt his team played a "very good tactical game" and he was happy with the win.

Nichelle Muschette, one of the members of the Merl Grove team, attributed her team's loss in part to lack of concentration. She also said she felt some of the questions were difficult. She admitted however, that the better team won.

In addition to Aldion Lee, the other members of the Calabar team were Patrick Barrett, Nicholas Josephs and Andre Beadle. The other members of the Merl Grove team were Tashima Johnson, St. Theresa Allen and Tracey-Ann Taylor, the team's captain.