THE Class of 1982 from Dinthill Technical High School is on a mission to improve the academic experience for approximately 200 first formers at the institution by providing financial and social support up until sixth form.

Representative for the Class of 1982, Grace G McLean mentioned that there are several projects which have been launched for the first formers.

“This year would mark 40 years since the class of 1982 graduated from Dinthill. We had four days of celebration but the major thing that we did was adopt the class of 2027 for their duration of studies at the school,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“We will be tracking their progress, we will be assisting with their development and any other aspect such as physical infrastructure,” she said.

McLean said the first project will focus on the refurbishment of the first-year block. She said that project which will see the renovation of the second-form block once the students transition to second form.

Another project she mentioned was the establishment of a pig farm which is expected to assist past and present members of the Dinthill Technical High School community in achieving their personal, financial and professional goals.

“We intend to develop that farm to expand it to have poultry as well. The purpose of the farm is to serve as a welfare arm to generate money to take care of past students who have fallen on hard times,”she said.

“It could also be helpful for teachers — past teachers, past students, current students. It is a sustainable project; we will sell the animals upon maturity and invest it to take care of those needs,” she added.

At the same time McLean noted that a Citizen of the Year Award, which has been launched recently, was presented to 2022 graduate Simoya Taylor.

This award, she said, will be given annually to a student from each year who demonstrates dedication, strength of character, decency, service to school and community, with excellent leadership characteristics and outstanding academic achievements.