NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2025 8 anniversary, we are proud to highlight our strong partnership which has contributed significantly to the continued growth of our academic programmes designed to empower the next wave of leaders and innovators. You will be pleased to know that our offerings continue to be customised to meet the need for relevant degrees, professional development, caring teachers, and other emerging specialised training to support the ongoing success of our nation. As you continue to inspire, your college family salutes you in this your centenary year! Your success is a testament to our motto“Committed to Growth and Enlightenment.”Best wishes as we continue our symbiotic relationship with you our esteemed alumni. Certainly, together we will continue to strategically reposition ourselves for the advancement of knowledge and opportunity many years to come, for our citizens and country . NADINE MOLLOY, JP Principal Shortwood Teachers’ College FAMILY CONTINUED FROM 7 STC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 100TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE THE YEAR 1925 was of major importance to Shortwoodites as it marked the establishment of Shortwood Old Students’ Association now known as Shortwoood Teachers’ College Alumni Association. Edgar B. Rodgers, the then President of Mico Old Students’ Association, suggested to his colleague Mary Morris Knibb that a similar organisation would be an asset to Shortwood Training College, as it was then called. The preliminary work was done by a steering committee guided by E.B. Rodgers and chaired by Mary Morris Knibb, the first Treasurer, Keturah Myers, the first President, Eva Bowen, Ethlyn Rhodd and Edith Dalton-James. The first meeting of old students from the Corporate Area and its surroundings was held at the now defunct Wesley Primary School and May 1925 saw the genesis of the Shortwood Old Students’ Association. The Early Meetings were held at the MICO until the late Norma Darlington, then Principal of the college, insisted that meetings should be held on the Shortwood campus. Originally the Annual General Meeting was held on Holy Thursday and attendance was compulsory. At present the Annual General Meeting and annual luncheon are held alternately at the College or at a hotel in the Corporate Area. Luncheon activities include honouring octogenarians, identifying batches that are celebrating significant milestones and placing the name of illustrious members on the Honour Roll. In earlier times the Half Yearly Meeting was held during time allocated by JTA during their annual conference held in August. The Half Yearly Meeting morphed into a Half-Yearly Retreat which is held at hotels throughout the island on a rotating basis. They still provide an avenue for fellowship and the workshops concentrate on health and wellness. The workshops were introduced by Elsie Webber, President 19891990 and have been a source of vital information. A tradition that has been maintained is worship at a church in the area where the Retreat is held. In 2012, President Dr. Beverley McKenzie added a new dimension to the weekend – a visit to a basic school in the community and a presentation of a gift package consisting of school supplies. Most meetings are business oriented, but every effort is made to encourage fellowship and social interaction. In recent times as part of the Retreat, a cruise in alternate years has been added. For many years an Annual Valentine Tea Party was held first at Kingston Technical High School, then the St, Andrew Church Hall. Attendance outgrew those venue and the event was moved to the Poui Lawns of the College. The restrictions placed on public gathering by the COVID pandemic during the years 2020-2023 presented a challenge. There were no Retreats or Tea Party, and regular meetings were held online. The Christmas Social has been a highlight of the year. This event allows us to invite and interact with Shortwoodites on staff at the College and the student leaders from all year groups. The STCAA supports the College by attending the activities during Founders’Week, especially the Thanksgiving Service and the Norma Darlington Founders’ Day Lecture. “Once a Shortwoodite, always a Shortwoodite” but the annual fee must be paid to be a member of the Association. Final Year students can become members by paying a reduced annual fee. In the past there were active links locally in Manchester, St. Catherine and Portland. Overseas Canada and New York also had active links. Manchester is still very active, and a highlight of the year has been the Annual Prayer Breakfast. The fledgling Portmore link has seen an increase in numbers. Although the number of active links has been greatly reduced, technology has provided a new means of communication, and seven groups have started WhatsApp groups. They focus on fellowship and fund raising to help the College. The Batch of 1975 has donated chairs and fans to the Marjorie Myers Hall and outdoor furniture. However, their focus is on providing scholarships for students. On Facebook there are more than two thousand members on the Shortwood Teachers’ College Alumni’ page. Growth, Enlightenment, Service is the motto of the Association and through the years it has endeavoured to remain true to its ideals. Members of the Association have provided leadership in various organisations for the good of the nation. Seven of the JTA presidents have been Shortwoodites, namely Edith Dalton-James, Ellorine Walker, Dorothy Raymond, Rose Marie Vernon, Dr. Nadine Scott, Ena Barclay and LaSonja Harrison. A logo designed by Vera Watson was created and is used on stationery and pins – the first set was sponsored by the Canadian Link. In 1998, the Shortwood Old Students’Song was composed by a group of past students from the 1955 Batch. Ever since our return to the College for our meetings we have had discussion with different Principals regarding our desire to be allocated space for a designated office. In 2022 the Vice Principal, then acting as Principal, herself a Shortwoodite gave us a small room. Through the years we collected and invested funds for this project, so we quickly outfitted the space. The Shortwood Teachers’ College Alumni Association’s office was officially opened on February 3, 2023. Another significant change was made in 2015 when in response to the students’ concern about the word ‘old’, the name of the Association was changed from Shortwood Old Students’ Association (SOSA) to Shortwood Teachers’ College Alumni Association with the shortened form being Shortwood Alumni Association. The Association has always been aware of its responsibility to mentor and support students and to extend help to the wider community. As a result, scholarships are given to college students with good grades and financial need. In addition, scholarships have been awarded to primary and secondary school students. Previously, students at Franklin Town Primary and Shortwood Practicing have received benefits. Donations were sent annually to the St Andrew Settlement, the YWCA, Can Save and Hope Valley Experimental School. Assistance is given to sick and elderly members through the Care committee. The Association can be contacted at STCAA100@gmail. com. Shortwood Teachers College Alumni Association continues to fulfil its mission and to uphold its motto, Growth, Enlightenment, Service’ A history of the Shortwood Teachers’ College Alumni Association The Association has always been aware of its responsibility to mentor and support students and to extend help to the wider community. As a result, scholarships are given to college students with good grades and financial need. In addition, scholarships have been awarded to primary and secondary school students. Previously, students at Franklin Town Primary and Shortwood Practicing have received benefits. Donations were sent annually to the St Andrew Settlement, the YWCA, Can Save and Hope Valley Experimental School. Assistance is given to sick and elderly members through the Care committee.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUzNTI=