MAY PEN, Clarendon — After 39 years as an educator at May Pen Primary, Dyrene Gayle used the next 19 years after retirement to serve the Clarendon Scout Association where she worked to shape the lives of young boys.

On Monday, she was one of seven awardees recognised for service above self during the Clarendon Heritage Week Heroes’ Day Salute and Awards Ceremony held at the municipal corporation’s parking lot.

It was a perfect opportunity to reflect on the work she has done.

“It’s many years of service, over 30 years of service focused on positively impacting and developing the lives of boys. I got to like the boys because of a former principal. I am happy that I took that path as I have touched the lives of so many of them because some of them have come back to serve the group,” a proud yet humble Gayle said.

“It’s always good when your service is recognised because I did it without expecting anything but blessings. I feel good and I’ll continue to serve as long as I can. I have never been awarded in this way before so I am happy and I will continue to assist once I’m well enough,” she added.

Her years of service are well known. She dedicated 23 years of her life to the May Pen Primary Scout Club, where she represented and served in the Clarendon Scout Association and Clarendon Scout-LA. She also assisted in several parish cubs’ scout camps and activities, and was one of the leaders who chaperoned clubs from the parish as they participated in several camps overseas. Gayle is still an active member of the Clarendon Scout Association and has assisted with the establishment of the Pleasant Valley Cub Pack, which she helps prepare for parish and national activities. Her hard work was recognised by Scout Association of Jamaica.

Among all the much-appreciated accolades, one of her most treasured memories was being selected, as a student many years ago, to represent the Jamaica 4-H Clubs abroad for six months.

On Monday, her daughter Karlene Gayle shared in the excitement of seeing her mother being lauded.

“I feel delighted, blessed and humbled witnessing her being recognised for her years of service, not only in the classroom but as a long-serving member of a service club. We’ve always thought these things only happen at King’s House where we see these great awards being given out for tremendous service to the community, entrepreneurship and others. This is the first time we are coming to something like this and that makes it all the better especially now that our youth, especially our young men are at risk of forming or being recruited into gangs,” said the younger Gayle, as she marvelled at the work her mother has been doing with young men.

“The role that she plays in moulding young boys into men is commendable and I encourage every young boy to join cub scouts,” she urged.