NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2025 12 STC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 100TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE JUANITA COMMENCED her training at Shortwood Teachers’ College in 1968 and graduated in 1971, after completing a year of internship. She noted that the activities for the two residential years on campus prepared her for life as well as for her work in the Shortwood Alumni Association (formerly, Shortwood Old Students’ Association). She was the Editor of the Yearbook, active member of the Debating Society and President of the United Nations Student Club, which significantly helped to develop her leadership, organizational and social skills. Her working career started at Pembroke Hall Secondary School. There, she developed new skills as she prepared students for Choral Speaking in the Festival Competition, helping students to develop and hone skills they did not realize they had. After a year at Pembroke Hall Secondary, she pursued undergraduate studies at UWI, majoring in Geography. When she graduated from the University, she made the decision to work at a school in an inner-city community hoping to make an impact and to bring about change. That decision took her to Kingston Secondary School, where she taught English Language and Social Studies, but the greatest results, she noted, came from mentoring students, especially at-risk boys. She pointed out that during the year, the students’behaviour and attitude to work changed for the better and many of the girls started to think of life after school as they learnt more life lessons than the required academic work. Juanita’s next job took her to a school with a very active Old Girls Association and that turned her thoughts to her own alma mater – Shortwood , where she went full speed into assisting her former college. As President of the Inner Wheel Club of St Andrew North, she was able to donate three computers to the College, for use in the library. Additionally, as secretary to a charitable group, “Friends of Shortwood Teachers’ College”, she started a beautification project to add ornamental plants, which greatly enhanced the ambience of the campus. She eventually joined the Shortwood Teachers’ College Alumni Association in a very significant year- 2000, which was the 75th anniversary of the Association. During her tenure, she first served two years as assistant secretary, then a marathon twelve years as secretary, and was dubbed the Association’s “Permanent Secretary”. Juanita chaired the 80th and 85th Anniversary Committees. She was responsible for all the planning for the Annual General Meetings and Luncheon and the Annual Retreat. All the work that required graphic art – programmes, flyers, newsletters and invitations – was her responsibility. Each year, after the Annual General Meeting, she prepared and printed a Calendar of Events. In addition to the schedule for the year, the calendar provided information about all the committees and their members along with contact details for the executive as well as details for the College’s executive and other relevant members of the college. This really facilitated effective communication and planning. In a joint project with a former Vice Principal, they were able to replace all the old chairs at the front Profile of Carmen Juanita Swire, Class of 1971 Carmen Juanita Swire PLEASE SEE SWIRE, 13
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