THE Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College family recently paid glowing tribute to retired faculty member, Veda Barrett, who gave 26 years of service to the institution.

Barrett was lauded at a dinner in her honour at the Day O’ Plantation Restaurant.

According to vice principal Lorna Stephenson, who read and presented her with a citation, from her first day on staff in January 1976, Barrett had shown exceptionally high levels of commitment and had skillfully executed her talents in the area of home economics.

Barrett stamped her professional trademark in the secondary schools she served, including St Elizabeth Technical High, Savanna-la-mar Secondary, Mannings High and Petersfield Secondary.

As someone who gave meticulous attention to detail, she was described as “the Michelangelo of human ecology, in particular apparel technology. She was credited with “lifting the perception of home economics from sewing and cookery for the academically incapable”.

While at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Barrett served as warden and dean of residence and was respected as a disciplinarian. She also served on the college’s personal development committee and contributed to the personal development of the staff in areas such as grooming, etiquette and social graces.

Having gained the respect of the entire college community, Barrett was elected academic staff representative on the Board of management, she was appointed senior, then principal, lecturer and acted as vice principal from September 1997 to April 1998.

Trained at St Joseph’s Teachers’ College, Barrett also studied at Western Carolina University and earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Education.