About Us The Canadian chapter of the Merl Grove High School Alumni Association had been a dream of Immediate Past President, Claudette Cameron-Stewart, since 1994. She tried on a number of occasions to form the association and, through the years, encountered many difficulties.
Instead of giving up, Claudette was determined to conquer the seemingly impossible task of forming a past-student association.
The Chapter was officially launched in 1999 with the help and advice of J. Barbara Martin and with help from a few other founding members.
Instead of giving up, Claudette was determined to conquer the seemingly impossible task of forming a past-student association.
The Chapter was officially launched in 1999 with the help and advice of J. Barbara Martin and with help from a few other founding members.
It is with pleasure that I say a warm and heartfelt welcome to all as the newly-elected President of the Merl Grove High School Past Students’ Association (Canadian chapter).
Having been an active member of this association since 2002, I have had the privilege, under the leadership of my predecessor Claudette Cameron-Stewart, to experience first hand all the intricate details that are involved in making an organization successful.
Through the years, I have developed an unyielding passion for our alma mater in general and for this alumni association in particular.
Ms. Cameron-Stewart had a dream and through her dream came the birth of this association. Our aims and objectives are to continue to maintain our mandate of granting a scholarship each year in the name of our late mentor, J. Barbara Martin.
Over the last 10 years, we have given more than 25 scholarships and bursaries, and have donated over J$2.5 million to the Merl Grove community. We have indeed been blessed and, despite all the challenges we have had to face, have managed to rise and continue to strive.
There is strength in numbers. It is my hope that all the past students in and around Toronto will join forces to make the MGHS-PSA (Canadian Chapter) a force to be reckoned with in the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA).
Having been an active member of this association since 2002, I have had the privilege, under the leadership of my predecessor Claudette Cameron-Stewart, to experience first hand all the intricate details that are involved in making an organization successful.
Through the years, I have developed an unyielding passion for our alma mater in general and for this alumni association in particular.
Ms. Cameron-Stewart had a dream and through her dream came the birth of this association. Our aims and objectives are to continue to maintain our mandate of granting a scholarship each year in the name of our late mentor, J. Barbara Martin.
Over the last 10 years, we have given more than 25 scholarships and bursaries, and have donated over J$2.5 million to the Merl Grove community. We have indeed been blessed and, despite all the challenges we have had to face, have managed to rise and continue to strive.
There is strength in numbers. It is my hope that all the past students in and around Toronto will join forces to make the MGHS-PSA (Canadian Chapter) a force to be reckoned with in the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA).
Grove's Alumni Association going, despite the small number of past students residing in Canada.
She has fully demonstrated to us, by example, that Merl Grove High School's motto does ring true: "Labor Omnia Vincit - Hard Work Overcomes All Difficulties".
The Merl Grove High School Alumni Association is indeed a growing success. The Jamaican chapter is well established and the North Eastern American Chapter was launched in July 2004. They held their first reunion dinner & dance July 2005...Photos
She has fully demonstrated to us, by example, that Merl Grove High School's motto does ring true: "Labor Omnia Vincit - Hard Work Overcomes All Difficulties".
The Merl Grove High School Alumni Association is indeed a growing success. The Jamaican chapter is well established and the North Eastern American Chapter was launched in July 2004. They held their first reunion dinner & dance July 2005...Photos
It is also my dream that every past student will be an active member of this association. There are those who have lost interest for whatever reason and some have moved to other countries. I pray that you will begin to feel my passion and come back to the fold; return to help us to achieve our objective which is to support our younger sisters at Merl Grove from Grade 8 to Grade 11 with funds for school books, bus fare, lunch, and to survive on a daily basis.
The students we have sponsored so far have indeed made us proud. There is Danielle Watson, who got accepted into the University of the West Indies, Omelia Gordon who just completed her CXC exams and for those who were present at our function this year you will remember Annestta Samuels, who brought us all to tears when she stood to say “thank you” for the support she has received over the last four years. She was chosen to be head-girl for the upcoming school year.
To the Principal and teachers at Merl Grove, the School Board, our sister Chapters - the Jamaican PSA and the North Eastern American Chapter (NEAC) - we will continue working together to make the dreams of our students at Merl Grove a reality.
To our sponsors who have been with us over the last ten years - Air Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica National Building Society, Jamaica National Money Services, Jamaica Tourist Board, Mirabel Travel, Victoria Mutual Building Society, and others - a hearty thank you for being there for us.
I can assure you that every dime that you have invested in our association has been used as a stepping-stone for our bursary and scholarship students to better themselves. The association welcomes your continued support.
To our ardent supporters, our functions would not be a success without you. Your support will always mean the most to us and I look forward to more successful years with you.
The students we have sponsored so far have indeed made us proud. There is Danielle Watson, who got accepted into the University of the West Indies, Omelia Gordon who just completed her CXC exams and for those who were present at our function this year you will remember Annestta Samuels, who brought us all to tears when she stood to say “thank you” for the support she has received over the last four years. She was chosen to be head-girl for the upcoming school year.
To the Principal and teachers at Merl Grove, the School Board, our sister Chapters - the Jamaican PSA and the North Eastern American Chapter (NEAC) - we will continue working together to make the dreams of our students at Merl Grove a reality.
To our sponsors who have been with us over the last ten years - Air Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica National Building Society, Jamaica National Money Services, Jamaica Tourist Board, Mirabel Travel, Victoria Mutual Building Society, and others - a hearty thank you for being there for us.
I can assure you that every dime that you have invested in our association has been used as a stepping-stone for our bursary and scholarship students to better themselves. The association welcomes your continued support.
To our ardent supporters, our functions would not be a success without you. Your support will always mean the most to us and I look forward to more successful years with you.
On Saturday, May 27th, 2000, the Canadian group held its first annual reunion dinner and dance. Those of us who attended can attest to the fact that it was a big success. Our guest speaker was Mrs. J. Barbara Martin, past student, teacher, principal.
It was a treat to watch the past "girls" of Merl Grove finally having the courage to speak boldly (and with respect) to Mrs. Martin. From anecdotes, to thanks, Mrs. Martin was regaled with the lasting impression she had on all our lives.
Instead of allowing her dream to die, Claudette has continued her work to keep the Canadian chapter of Merl
It was a treat to watch the past "girls" of Merl Grove finally having the courage to speak boldly (and with respect) to Mrs. Martin. From anecdotes, to thanks, Mrs. Martin was regaled with the lasting impression she had on all our lives.
Instead of allowing her dream to die, Claudette has continued her work to keep the Canadian chapter of Merl
I look forward to an excellent working relationship with the members of the Board - Althea Hamilton-McKenzie, Carolyn Goulbourne-Warren, Miriam Esaau-Chung, Joan Hutchins, Sharon Hamilton and Claudette Cameron-Stewart, in making this MGHS-PSA (Canadian Chapter) a success for the years ahead.
In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal and nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude”.
Labor Omnia Vincit……. Everytime!
In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal and nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude”.
Labor Omnia Vincit……. Everytime!
We will always hold the memory of our mentor, J. Barbara Martin alive in our hearts. After all, she is one of the main reasons our organization came to fruition.
Our first scholarship recipient did us proud in her excellent achievements at in her CXC examinations. This, along with the strive for excellence of our current recipients, motivates us to continue working hard to keep the organization going and to continue keeping the memory of J. Barbara Martin alive.
Our first scholarship recipient did us proud in her excellent achievements at in her CXC examinations. This, along with the strive for excellence of our current recipients, motivates us to continue working hard to keep the organization going and to continue keeping the memory of J. Barbara Martin alive.
Her Memory Lives On!
President's Message
Suzette Lawrence-Hermitt
