THE Hampton Old Girls Association (HOGA) has been working to, among other things, secure scholarships and bursaries for the girls at the St Elizabeth institution.

For 2012/13, the association was able to award $1.3 million in scholarships and bursaries to 50 students, in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of independence. This was funded through donations from and through old girls, as well as from fund-raising efforts.

“We have been encouraging year groups to donate their own scholarships or bursaries. We remain committed to aggressively pursuing fund-raising strategies despite the impact of the ongoing economic challenges and are now planning a 5k walkathon for May 2014 and four-day Caribbean cruise that sets sail on August 18, 2014 in an effort to raise funds for the 2014/15 school year,” HOGA president Dawn Ebanks said.

The association works from the belief that while the good reputation of any educational institution is fed by good exam results, co-curricular activities, environment and investments, there is one factor which only requires support and encouragement and brings strength and expansion to the institution’s reputation and progress — the alumni.

“With great alumni associations, students feel obliged and honoured to return the favours and successes, as well as the alma mater benefits, and [the school] grows enormously in terms of both academics and administration,” Ebanks said.

HOGA assists in developing financial and other resources for the institution, in a bid to preserve and keep the standards of Hampton.

It supports the school’s educational mission, preserves its heritage, promotes its advancement and assists the school to achieve prominence and maintain

its integrity.

“While we have seen some degree of success and an increased presence over the recent years, the challenge is to do even more — award more scholarships and bursaries, involve more old girls, preserve the future of the association through the infiltration of the young ones and keep the Hampton spirit alive,” Ebanks said.

Participation in school orientation activities is another way in which the sisterhood connects with the current student body, instilling traditional values and encouraging them to keep the school flag high.

There is also HOGA’s mentoring programme, another initiative aimed at supporting students who are in need of assistance to fulfil their maximum potential.

In this, mentors (old girls) assist their younger sisters by providing moral support and offering practical advice. It is the mentors’ aim to raise aspirations, tackle problems and help the students to achieve their true potential through a series of interactions.

The focus of the programme is currently with the sixth formers, to assist students through the transition phase from secondary to tertiary studies.

HOGA said it is proud of the consistently high achievement of the students at Hampton.

“Students are encouraged to be well rounded and as such, most students sit mathematics and English language at the grade 10 level. This affords those who have done well to do an additional subject in grade 11,” said Trevor Blake, chairman of the Hampton School Board.