A musical selection warmed the ambience as Mrs. Hyacinth Baker, retired vice principal of Knox College (High) in Clarendon made her grand entry to the ballroom of the Mandeville Hotel on the arm of Mr. Richard Mullings, (Class ’85), Manager of Juici Patties-Spalding. It was a cool, beautiful evening on Saturday April 14th. Representative members of staff, former colleagues, school board, Ministry of Education, Parent/teachers’ Association, (PTA) Past Students’ Association (PSA) and classes of different years, gathered at the Mandeville Hotel to honour Mrs. Baker for 26 years of sterling service dedicated to the Clarendon High School.
Reverend Lennox Scarlett, chaplain of the Knox complex of schools evoked God’s blessings on the occasion and on the honoree; after which Mrs. Jennifer Haffenden, acting principal of Knox welcomed all, made formal introductions and extended the usual courtesies.
Mrs. Althea McKenzie-Morrison of Power 106 FM took the chair and ably guided the function through the various formalities. Mrs. Dorothy Miller (Board Chairman), Mr. Reuben Gray (Ministry of Education), Mrs. Nicole Brown (PTA) and Mrs. Sandra Simmonds (PSA) brought greetings before Rev. Tara Tyme of the Spalding United Church, affiliate of the school offered grace for dinner.
Having partaken of a scrumptious meal, the group re-assembled for the other segment of the function. Senior teacher, Brenton Rattigan introduced the Guest Speaker, Rev. Gary Harriott (Class of ’83) who spoke admirably of the honoree and how she molded students at Knox and set them on a path to success through discipline. Having been one of them, he spoke with authority.
Tributes came from former principal, Dr. Barbara Buckley-Jones, former vice principal, Mrs. Barbara Chamberlain, acting vice principal, Ms Maxine Josephs, present staff member, Mrs. Faithlyn Gooden and representatives of classes ’82 and ’90. Staff member, Patrickson Joseph spiced things up with the rendition of a beautiful song for the lady of the evening. This was well received by all present.
The citation to Mrs. Baker was then read and was presented with an appreciable gift to which she responded gracefully and thankfully. A representative of Class of ’94 registered the vote of thanks bringing the curtains down on a most splendid occasion in appreciation of a great lady, Mrs. Hyacinth Baker- past vice principal of Knox College…educator extraordinaire.
