CLAREMONT, Hanover — Scores of community members, teachers and students of Claremont All-Age School in this rural community turned out on Sunday at Claremont Methodist Church to show their appreciation for retired principal of the school, Frauline Hall, who served as an educator for 42 years.

The appreciation service to mark Hall’s contribution to education was hosted by the board of governors of the school and the Parent-Teachers’ Association.

Among the groups and individuals who hailed Hall, who worked at the school for more than four decades, were the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), members of school board, teachers, parent teachers’ association (PTA), a number of churches, community members, past students and former Governor General professor Kenneth Hall, who is the cousin of Frauline.

An overwhelmed Frauline, who retired just over a year ago, told the gathering that teaching was her calling.

“If I had the opportunity to start life all over again, I would still be a teacher,” she stressed. “To be honest with you, growing up as a child, wanting to be a teacher was not my first preference. I liked the medical field, but when you start to do something… I have learned that anything that you are enthusiastic about, you will learn to do it well.”

President of the JTA’s Hanover chapter, Nadine Crosman, who brought greetings on behalf of the national body, noted that Frauline has given, “exemplary, extraordinary and outstanding service to the JTA, education, the communities of Claremont, Jericho, Hanover, Jamaica and by extension, the world.”

PTA president Tracy Ann Grant, said parents are grateful for the impact Frauline has had on their children.

“We the parents of the Claremont All-Age School’s PTA body just want to say thank you to Miss Hall for a job well done. We all agree that she did an exceptional job with our children, and we are grateful for the positive impact that she has left on our children,” said Grant, as she encouraged the retired principal to enjoy her retirement.

Deputy mayor of Lucea, Andria Dehaney Dinham, who is also the principal of the Maryland All-Age School in Hanover, in commending Frauline, noted that she was always there to guide and support her when she became principal of Maryland at a young age.

Board chairman Patricia Cockrane said Frauline “looks out for the best interests of the children, even after retirement.”

“You bring this school to what level it is now, and we congratulate you for that,” said Cockrane.

Following failed attempts to establish a computer laboratory at the school, Frauline was successful in getting the facility constructed after reaching out to Professor Hall and members of his family, who later constructed the laboratory, which was officially opened last year.

The retired principal has received many awards over the years from various institutions, including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Carlong Publishers, the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, the JTA and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Although the senior educator has retired, she continues to do what she does best through volunteering her time at Claremont All-Age, while remaining as a pillar to the Claremont community.