While most Jamaicans may be familiar with Andrew Holness the Education Minister, or the man who was last week pushed to the front in becoming the new leader of the JLP in line to becoming the country’s youngest Prime Minister in history, many do not know Holness, the schoolboy with only one dream — to become a politician.

Sunday Observer tracked down a number of Holness’ past classmates and got some insights into the life of Andrew at St Catherine High school in Spanish Town, where he spent seven years.

1. (PIC Bryan Hastings)

Funny it was, in the excitement of high school challenges and victories, there was this boy, from where I don’t know, who always present himself as the leader of our pack.

Even more dramatic, he always did so with little or no opponents, most saw him as the one who wanted to represent us in the beautiful traumas of student life — from the field, classroom and school.

The voyage was good.

Bryan Hastings

Manager

Information Systems

Jamaica

2. (pic Georgia Lawrence)

I have always known Andrew Holiness to be a very intelligent, articulate and determined person. From his early high school years and throughout he displayed some good leadership qualities which were further strengthened by his roles as form leader and headboy. Andrew was always politically inclined — no debate about that! He was destined to be a leader and a good one I know he will be.

Georgia Lawrence

New York City Department of Education

Maths Teacher

USA

3. (Pic Howard Taffe)

I met Andrew in 1984 after being placed in the same class. A class of students which evolved into what we can describe as a family. From earlier on, I perceived Andrew to be the quiet pleasant little boy.

However, he was a giant in the making.

He was not the rowdy type or always involved in mischievous antics, but got very excited when it comes to academic activities such as debates, professional clubs and student leadership roles. And it was no surprise when he later became head boy and valedictorian.

I was particularly impressed with his involvement and successes in the Junior Achievement Program at Saint Catherine High.

There was a tree to the rear on the right side of the school compound, where us boys would often sit on or under and talk about anything — from politics to break dancing.

These are occasions where you would get a glimpse into Andrew’s mind and what he would want to see of Jamaica’s future. Now he has a greater chance to help make it a better one.

Although our class was really like a FAMILY (not exaggerating on the word family),

I remember one occasion some of the guys In class debated and eventually teased Andrew about his ethnic makeup. Andrew alone tried to defend himself, but later broke down in tears. I guess at the time as young kids, we forgot about Jamaica’s motto.

Andrew loved playing money football. Thinking about it now, I wonder if it was the game he loved or just the idea of coming out on top.

Now it’s time for him to win the financial battles for team Jamaica.

Well Andrew, you will soon have the reign to help make Jamaica and it’s people live up to their true potentials.

Now is the time to use all of life’s lessons, vision, wisdom and guidance from the Almighty to achieve this.

Wish you great success and praying for you

Howard Taffe

HACT Technologies Ltd

United Kingdom/Canada

4. (pic Carl Rowe)

Over the last couple days the country has been abuzz with the news that Andrew Michael Holness has now become the heir apparent to replace Prime Minister Bruce Golding as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party and Prime Minister designate. It may have come as a surprise or even shock to many persons that someone who is relatively so young would be given such a huge responsibility, but for us who knew him and grew up with him, it was not a mater of if but when.

Andrew and I grew up in the same community of Ensom City in Spanish Town, ironically the PM was our Member of Parliament & we both went to St. Catherine High together and we were in the same class together for about six or seven years. Where he is at now, most of us who knew him well could have told the nation back then that this would have happened.

He is a natural leader, from automatically being named class prefect almost every year, to being the head boy in his final year at school; Andrew has always been very active in most of the schools societies and clubs, displaying a level of maturity way beyond his years. I once even went as far as nominating him for a Key Club post in his absence from school one day. I knew he wouldn’t object to it because he loved serving in any capacity, a character he displayed from way back then.

He had a passion for table tennis, probably the only sport he could beat me at and we usually played it almost on a daily basis during our summer breaks down by the community centre and listening to his favourite entertainer Shinehead. He would engage us in vigourous political debate in class back then, displaying a grasp of awareness in such matters as economics and social policy. I can vividly remember some of those debates we had amongst ourselves with Lennon Lesley, Donald Martin, Stafford Knight, Garfield Gordon and Robert Taylor.

We were a very close knit class having been together as a group from Eight 1 straight through to sixth form and I know that the graduating class of 1988, Eleven 1 especially and the entire school community, must be very proud of him for what he has already achieved in his relatively short political career so far. Andrew has always been a brilliant student, very disciplined and level headed, traits that I am quite sure that he will bring to his new post and I will go as far as to say ‘Jamaica the best of him is yet to come’ and we are all fortunate to be witnessing a defining moment in Jamaica’s History.

Karl A Rowe MBA, Bsc. (Hon.)

Senior Accountant

Seprod Limited

Jamaica

5. (pic Karren Dunkley)

I am fortunate to be acquainted with Andrew as a schoolmate, childhood neighbour, colleague, and friend.

Here are a few stories that illustrate the Andrew Holness I know.

Andrew and I grew up together. We both attended the distinguished St. Catherine High School and lived in the residential community of Ensom City, Spanish Town. As schoolmates, we participated in many of the same clubs and student leadership programs, most notably debate, drama, and student council. We knew and developed relationships with each other’s families, and shared several friends in common, including his beautiful wife Juliet.

As a teenager, Andrew was tall, slender, and very opinionated. In Ensom City, I lived on a street called Fulmar Drive that had a street light directly in front of my house. I vividly recall memories of Andrew standing under that street light, accompanied by several of our peers, and continuing to argue a point from our debate practice or competition at school. He would reiterate his arguments, utilising examples to illuminate his point, and I remembered always thinking, “this guy can sure debate”. Under this street light, we discussed our philosophies, shared our dreams, and planned our destinies. From early on, it was clear that he lacked neither passion nor persistence.

As Head Boy at St. Catherine High School, Andrew displayed tremendous discipline and a no-nonsense leadership style. He was always prepared with an agenda for our student leadership meetings and if you were a member of student council, then it was expected and required that you attend these meetings on time.

However, what I most admire and respect about Andrew is that he genuinely cares about and values people. At St. Catherine High School, we had a lower and upper grade campus. Andrew would visit the lower campus, with his shirt crisply pressed and his tie perfectly in place, to check on and give words of advice to the younger students.

Yes, Andrew was always a man of principle and protocol.

Worthy of note is that we won the 1987 Drama Festival Award, receiving a silver medal at the National competition. Andrew was the leading actor.

Andrew’s mom still keeps his medal proudly displayed today; reminding us of the invaluable support of the right circle of friends as we aspire and achieve. So yes, Andrew was an award-winning actor.

Yes, Andrew has a subtle and distinct sense of humour.

I wish Andrew continued success and remind him of the words of our school motto, “Prayer and Work Conquers All.”

These are some of my fond memories of Andrew Holness: a diligent student, a courageous leader, a loving son, brother, husband and father. In short, an amazing person and a genuine friend.

Karren Dunkley

Deputy Chief

The School District of Philadelphia

United States

6. Leonie A. (Dixon) Stovall

Having attended one of the largest high schools in the Caribbean with the future Prime Minister of Jamaica is indeed an honour. Being in the same classes with Andrew Holness from grade eight through to sixth form was a very competitive atmosphere. Our class was comprised of very smart students, the cream of the crop, who today are successful individuals. However, when it comes to the “Great Debaters” Andrew stood out. As early as then Andrew was insistent that he was going to become a politician! Even the Mathematics class with Miss Johnston turned out to be a debate as he would dissect and question the rationale behind each formula. Andrew was destined for politics as he exhibited leadership qualities throughout the six years we spent together in school. Not only did he exhibit leadership qualities but his commitment to execute, seeing things through, made him exemplary. I knew that Andrew would become a successful politician as he was very persistent and always sought to make a difference. As the Head Girl working alongside Andrew, it was a great experience. Andrew Holness has exemplified the St. Catherine High School motto “Prayer and Work Conquer All”.

Having attended one of the largest high schools in the Caribbean with the future Prime Minister of Jamaica is indeed an honour. Being in the same classes with Andrew Holness from grade eight through to sixth form was a very competitive atmosphere. Our class was comprised of very smart students, the cream of the crop, who today are successful individuals. However, when it comes to the “Great Debaters” Andrew stood out. As early as then Andrew was insistent that he was going to become a politician! Even the Mathematics class with Miss Johnston turned out to be a debate as he would dissect and question the rationale behind each formula. Andrew was destined for politics as he exhibited leadership qualities throughout the six years we spent together in school. Not only did he exhibit leadership qualities but his commitment to execute, seeing things through, made him exemplary. I knew that Andrew would become a successful politician as he was very persistent and always sought to make a difference. As the Head Girl working alongside Andrew, it was a great experience. Andrew Holness has exemplified the St. Catherine High School motto “Prayer and Work Conquer All”.

Leonie A. (Dixon) Stovall

(former head girl)

Manager/Vice President

Financial Institution

New York, USA

7. (Pic of Garfield Gordon)

Andrew and I have been together from grade 7. We were all very participative in some classes — especially in one particular class — not so much because we found the subject interesting, we didn’t like the subject but we definitely liked the teacher!

From grade 10 we used to chat a lot of politics and chat about any matter that was worth debating. There are even certain things that we would debate on that were not mainstream!

We would walk home from school in the evenings and sometimes we would stop and visit his grandmother on the way just to find out if she was OK.

Andrew was the type of person who took care of his friends. He was always taking care of his little sister. I remember one evening he almost got into a fight with one guy because Andrew felt he was encroaching upon his sister.

In sixth form meetings Andrew was always opposing the majority and everyday at lunch time a group of us guys would sit in the classroom and play chess. And on weekend and sometimes after school we played football and table tennis at the community centre.

Back then we nicknamed him ‘Snoopy’, a name that stuck with him throughout high school.

I remember too that a number of girls loved him off but he was not interested in them at all. In fact, he and Juliet (wife) could not get along right up to grade 10. But after that they became high school sweethearts.

Progressively as we got older we gained more responsibilities and those came to the forefront. His participation is student council and being junior prefect solidify the direction he wanted to take in terms of becoming a politician.

Garfield Gordon

(former deputy head boy)

Territory Systems Engineer

Cisco Systems, Inc.