ETTA Whiteman, sister of former Education Minister Burchell Whiteman, was among 16 retired educators honoured by the Jamaica Methodist District for their “sacrificial service” to Methodist-run educational institutions across the island.

The awardees were lauded Friday for their outstanding contribution to academic performance and development during a luncheon at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Those honoured were Lindo Wong, Mark Loague, Pearl Morgan, Sydney Fenton, Beverly Wilson, Alison Peart, Nadine Scott, and Claudette Cope from the Excelsior group of schools; Reverend Caswell Burton, Beverly Hawthorne and Esmie McLeod from York Castle High; Valerie Marshall Lodge, and Mohan Kumar from Morant Bay High School; and Whiteman, Ivin Logan and Eileen Piggott from Westwood High.

Lilieth Deacon, the evening’s master of ceremonies, told the awardees that they have made worthwhile contribution to the education sector and implored them to still find schools or children in need of assistance and help them.

Wong, a former principal of Excelsior High School, was recognised as the longest-serving principal, with over 22 years of service.

Others who served long, distinguished careers included Kumar, an English teacher for over 30 years, who left his homeland, India, in 1982 to join the staff at Westwood.

In 1971, Piggott joined the staff at Westwood as a chemistry teacher. During her tenure at Westwood, she played many roles, serving as a physics teacher, head of department, staff advisor to the Rangers and Girl Guides movement, grade supervisor, vice-principal and principal.

In 1987, Kumar joined the staff of Morant Bay High School where he taught for approximately 27 years. In 2014 he retired as the principal of Morant Bay High School.

 — Raquel Porter