178 GRADUATE FROM ST MARY HIGH AFTER ROCKY COVID START
“Embrace bravery, stay faithful, strive to be excellent, embrace godly and wise counsel, and go light your world.” These were the encouraging words from Justice Marva McDonald Bishop, President of the Court of Appeal, to the graduating class of 2025 at St Mary High School, Highgate.
Justice McDonald Bishop, a native of St Mary, who did sixth form at the school, was the guest speaker at the graduation exercise on the school grounds on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The graduating class, drawn from six eleventh-grade groups, numbered 178..
(Guest Speaker, President of the Court of Appeal, past student Justice Marva McDonald Bishop)
)Mrs Justice McDonald Bishop shared her struggles, after an introduction which highlighted the many accolades she has achieved, rising to the top levels in the country’s judiciary. “I came from humble beginnings in Retreat, Bamboo, St Mary, and I had my struggles,” the President of the Court of Appeal said.
(Valedictorians– Terrie Etana Thoms and Jai-Ann Danvers. Class of 2025 did well)
She shared that St Mary High was not her first choice to attend the sixth form. “After leaving Marymount [High] I wanted to attend a school in Kingston, Immaculate or Wolmer’s Girls. But I didn’t have the first cent to go into Kingston, and my grandparents got me into St Mary High.” She said that had turned out to be a good decision as the school had helped to shape the person she is today.
Justice McDonald Bishop said one of her greatest accomplishments at this institution was when she taught herself A-level Geography and was successful. “I don’t know if it was my tenacity or faith, but whatever it is, I didn’t give up.”
(Extending the welcome — Sadamia Thompson and Zachary Davis)
She recalled how she stumbled when she became pregnant after she left the sixth form. Her next step was challenging: with a three-month-old son and no job, she was accepted into university.
“I didn’t know how to care for a child, and I had no job. I went to Ocho Rios [in neighbouring St Ann] for a job and the bank manager said to me I’m too qualified for the job because I had passed all my exams. I cursed the man for life. How could he not give me a teller work at the bank? Today I thank him for not doing that because had he done it, I would not have discovered my true passion and my true potential,” she said.
She told the graduates that hardships will come, which will be the test of their courage and their faith.
“When times get hard, aim for excellence… each person has to find his or her own corner. That corner sets your goals, and where you set your ambitions and where you go with your passion and feed your dream.”
Acting Principal of the School, Major Christine Wright, congratulated the graduates who, she said, faced the uncertainties of COVID-19 and the changes brought on by the pandemic, yet soared to achieve much. (See full story of the Principal’s Report on the North Coast Times website). ST MARY HIGH GRADS HAVE SOARED – PRINCIPAL
The emcee at the function was Board Chairman Derrick Thompson.
Zachary Davis and Sadamia Thompson welcomed guests to the event.
The graduation class did two selections, ‘I Believe’ and ‘My Story’.
AS STUDENTS SAW IT
Valedictorians were Terrie Etana Thoms and Jai-Ann Danvers. They lauded their school for being one that didn’t only teach but inspired with a vision that transforms.
They spoke of the challenges of COVID-19, where teaching and learning were virtual. Admitting that many found excuses to log off or fall asleep during class periods, they said, despite the faults in the online classes, some students excelled. One in such in that first year was Pazari Powell.
It was in 2022 that they met as a full body for face-to-face classes, as a grade nine cohort with many challenges, and with then principal, Juliet Saddar, who encouraged and inspired them to be the best.
“But here we are standing today as proof that challenges do not define us but strengthen us,” they said. It was highlighted that they excelled in academics, with mention made of Chelsea-Rae Reynolds, Sherene Ramdon, Rayana Anderson, Terri-Etana Thoms, Segayle Johnson, Nickel Brown and Jai-Ann Danvers, who all maintained an average of 90 and above, topping their own individual classes.
(From left, Mayor of Port Maria Fitzroy Wilson; MP for Western St Mary, Robert Montague, Acting Principal Major Christine Wright; MP for Central St Mary, Dr Morais Guy, and Chairman of the school Board, Derrick Thompson)
As they reviewed extra-curricular activities, mention was also made of Rasheed Grant, who had dominated the Eastern Championships by breaking multiple records, including in 2025. Kaliesha Bell was also mentioned as one of the outstanding athletes.
Looking back at the excellent performance of the school in academics and extracurricular activities under the guidance and mentorship of the teachers, vice principals, and principals past and present, the valedictorians also thanked the parents for the support they had given for the past five years.
(A section of the graduates, and in song)
Desean Hutchinson and Kasheka Grant did the vote of thanks.
Special Class of 1996 Excellence Achievement Awards were presented to the guest speaker, the chairman, six teachers, and two grade supervisors.
The three members of Parliament for the parish – St Mary Central, Dr Morais Guy; St Mary West, Robert Montague; St Mary South East, Dr Norman Dunn – all brought greetings. Each pledged support for the school and encouraged the graduates to make something of themselves.
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THE GRADUATES IN SONG. WATCH:
