On Saturday, September 15, 2012 Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) Alumnae, Florida Chapter and friends, gathered for their fundraising “Come to Jamaica” raffle drawing and luncheon. The well attended event was held at Genesis Lounge and Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.
The room was decorated in black green and gold, with displays of Jamaica Tourist Board scenery and showcasing Couples Resorts, Caribbean Airlines and other raffle prize donors. The menu was of course Jamaican fare.
The event started with a beautiful blessing written and read by Maxine Lee Fatt. A letter of thanks from the ICHS Vice Principal Miss Brigette Pinto was read by Jennifer and a summary of the excellent ICHS CSEC/CAPE results for 2012 was given. Jennifer asked all ICHS alumnae to let everyone in the room know our school motto and what it meant: “Ad Astra per Aspera” -Through difficulty to Excellence. She went on to quote Miss Pinto, “our exam results were indeed BEYOND EXCELLENCE!” The alumnae cheered with pride and the cacamaraderie was palpable.
Background music was provided by pianist Maroon Wong.
Alumna Bridgette Waldemar conducted an exciting live bidding for an Alphanso Blake painting. ICHS alumna Mrs. Sylvia Shand McLarty was recognized as the Florida chapter’s oldest alumna and the vivacious Mrs. McLarty recounted recollections of her days at ICHS through her graduation in 1945.
Several gate prizes were selected by Aston Lue and other contributors, leading up to the big raffle drawing. The grand prize was drawn by Mrs. Kaye Chong of Caribbean Airlines. The first prize of air travel for two on Caribbean Airlines and one-week stay at the all-inclusive Couples Tower Isle was won by Camile Moo Young. The second prize of a weekend at Half Moon Resort was won by Phillip Lyn, and the third prize of 4 nights at any Breezes Hotel was won by T. Murray.
The ICHS Alumnae Association event was to raise funds to provide scholarships to current ICHS students recommended by the school administration. These scholarships provide most of the essential needs for attendance at ICHS, such as school fees, exam fees, uniforms, regregulation shoes, school tie and pin, lunch costs and book rental.
The school’s population has grown to over 1600 students with the sixth form having a combined total of 380 students. Sixth form continues to grow as the girls continue to do well in the CSEC Examinations. For the 2011 – 2012 year, two students received eleven grade 1’s; a total of fifty-five students received seven or more grade 1’s; and more than twenty CAPE students received four ones. A few who sat for five subjects successfully received all ones. This year over thirty girls were accepted to read for the degree in medicine on the strength of their exam results.
The Florida chapter expresses heartfelt thanks for the support of Couples Resort, The Half Moon Hotel/Rock Resort, Breezes Resort, Caribbean Airlines, the Jamaica Tourist Board and all our supporters for helping us provide these scholarships for our next generation of ICHS alumnae.
