NEW JERSEY, USA — They journeyed from as far as Australia, England, Jamaica and Bermuda to join other alumni gathered in New Jersey for the 10th Annual Valentine’s Day Gala recently organised by the North America Chapter of the Cedric Titus Old Students’Association.

The event brought together just over 200 past students and friends of the Clark’s Town, Trelawny-based high school to Venue 518 in Bound Broad, New Jersey. The alumni honoured former Principal Elette M Fletcher, who gave over 34 years of outstanding service to the alma mater, Cedric Titus High School.

The tribute from Belver Williams-Niblett, who was the school’s first head girl, lauded the former principal, who was unable to attend in person, for the many ways in which she had served the school community. Fletcher joined that staff of Cedric Titus in 1977 as vice-principal and teacher of Spanish and was elevated to principal in 1995. She retired in 2011.

Tributes to the former principal underscored her role in creating and fostering an environment conducive to learning by all students, including reading rooms that she had built and equipped with technology, and furniture to assist the learning level of all students.

Also noted was Fletcher’s instrumental role in getting Cedric Titus High School equipped with a computer laboratory and other technologies to enhance learning, and how she had also launched a community skills training in conjunction with HEART Trust for past students who had left school without the needed qualifications.

Williams-Niblett hailed the former principal as the one who had initiated the past students’ association in Jamaica.

In the message she sent to mark the occasion, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks commended the alumni association for organising the annual fund-raising effort, aimed at providing scholarships, as well as school furniture, among other things, for their alma mater.

“Let me take the opportunity to congratulate the group of former students for becoming the catalyst in spearheading the formation of this august and well-needed organisation,” said Ambassador Marks. She described the association’s goal — to support the school financially and with scholarships for graduates pursuing tertiary education — as a worthy endeavour.

The ambassador commended the president, Dr Avril A Keldo, for her outstanding leadership of the organisation.

She praised the invaluable support of the organisation, saying the CTOSA members not only demonstrate a sense of patriotism, but also a commitment to the well-being of future generations, especially those who will attend the noble institution and have an opportunity to learn in a comfortable and inclusive environment.

Ambassador Marks also commended former Principal Fletcher for her outstanding contribution to education and for the role she played in nurturing the lives of many young people who are now making their contribution to society.

Meanwhile, the CTOSA president told the gathering that over the last 10 years the association had given over 21 scholarships, purchased much-needed furniture, computers and other equipment for the institution. She added that this year the association’s goal is to procure more furniture, and to expand the scholarship ,programme for the institution.