Richard Chang, member of the St George's College class of 1959, drinks from the cup during Holy Communion at a Mass held as part of the reunion activities at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston yesterday. - photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
It has been 50 years since members of the class of 1959 said goodbye to high school life and hello to the real world, so the alumni of both St George's College and the Alpha Academy decided to do it big this year.
The class of 1959 of both schools are in the middle of a huge joint reunion which includes all sorts of activities. The festivities started on Thursday and end today.
Past students who live in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere have flown in for the reunion which is being held under the theme, 'Fifty Years of The Good and True for the Greater Glory of God'.
panel discussion
One of the highlights of the event takes place today. It's a panel discussion dubbed 'Jamaica Then and Now'. Heading the list of distinguished participants, all of whom are past students, will be Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Pat Anderson, Trevor Munroe and Jean Lowrie-Chin are the other panellists.
Ronald Thwaites will moderate the discussion, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Courtleigh Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard.
The big event tonight is an 'Ol' Times' party at the Liguanea Club with music by Bunny Goodison's Soul Shack Disco. Among the special guests will be the famous St George's Football Team that won the 1959 Manning Cup. The year 1959 will be recaptured in music, dance and fashion.
Two worthy causes will benefit from the proceeds of the various events. The St George's Class of '59 will make a donation towards the restoration of the iconic O'Hare building at the school. It is now in a state of disrepair because of hurricane damage and the ravages of time.
The Alpha Academy Class of 1959 will launch a 'Sponsor a Student' programme. This is in response to the challenges faced by students who do not have the tools they need to perform to their full potential.