THE WEEKLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 17, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | 8 IT WAS a sold-out event and an elegant affair as over 250 persons packed into the Garden City Casino & Tennis Club on Saturday, March 22, to attend the Union of Jamaica Alumni Association Primary School team’s inaugural Spring gala. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, anticipation, and optimism, as the energetic and engaging emcee Sharon Gordon opened the event, created a welcoming atmosphere, and set a positive tone for the night. This was followed by the opening address from Evelyn Godden (UJAA’s dedicated Primary Schools Team chair) who welcomed the audience and outlined the mission of UJAA and the work of the UJAA’s Primary Team in impacting the success of their respective alma maters. The audience was also addressed by the president of UJAA, Donovan Wilson. One of UJAA’s fundamental missions is to promote academic excellence at all levels of schools in Jamaica and in particular to improve education in basic and primary schools. It was therefore fitting to have as guest speaker, the outstanding leader and UJAA’s immediate Past President Lesleyann Samuel who delivered a message that reinforced the importance of success through collaboration, commitment, consistency, and community. The core message was conveyed with clarity and resonance and left a lasting impact on the attendees from the many schools and organisations that came out to support the event. AWARDEES One of the highlights of the night was to recognise and honour individuals for their outstanding contribution to the respective Alumni Associations. Awardees were Melbourne Smith (Beulah), Dr Yvonne Simpson (New Day School), Darien Mason (Pike past student ), Everton Graham (Friends of Port Maria), and Walbert Clarke (Shortwood). The Primary Schools Team and UJAA family also thanked and showed their appreciation to Lesleyann Samuel for her years of leadership, dedication, and service to education. The air was infused with magic as the crowd was serenaded by the talented saxophonist and soloist, Keith Marratt as they dined on a scrumptious meal from The Door restaurant. After the drawing of prizes, surprises, the organisers thanked the sponsors, attendees, and everyone who played a role in the success of the event. In addition to the primary schools, UJAA Primary Team would like to recognise the many high schools, tertiary institutions, and other organizations that were in attendance. The night ended with dancing to the pulsating music from talented DJ Prentice who kept an electric vibe throughout the night, and showed his musical genius with selections drawn from all genres. The event was a resounding success, the mission was achieved, and from the delighted faces of attendees as they filed out of the venue, the message of ‘see you next year’ was clear. See pictorial highlights: UJAA Primary Schools Spring gala – a resounding success UJAA award winners gather for photos. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Awardees share in the special moment. Honourees delight in the moment at the Union of Jamaica Alumni Association Primary School’s Team Inaugural Spring Gala. NEW YORK, NY: FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025, the penultimate day of competition for the ISSA Boys & Girls Athletics Championship, provided the perfect backdrop for a major development with Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB), Jamaica’s junior athletes and the University of Technology (UTech). The development provides a dedicated student with hands-on experience in hospitality management, culinary arts, and event logistics while contributing to the continued success of TJB’s operations and fundraising programmes The announcement was made by Irwine Clare, Sr, OD, chairman/founder of the welfare initiative in 1994, noting that the programme will run through 2026. “We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) Hospitality Internship Programme in collaboration with the University of Technology, Jamaica’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, beginning in 2025.” “As an organisation committed to excellence in hospitality services for Caribbean athletes at the annual Penn Relays Carnival, this internship will reinforce our mission by integrating new talent, fresh perspectives and innovative approaches into our operations.” The programme is structured over two years, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience that includes both observation and hands-on implementation of enhancements to the organisation’s hospitality initiatives. “We are thrilled to introduce our inaugural intern, Kerisha Green, a third-year student pursuing a bachelor of science degree in culinary arts and management at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Ms. Green will be actively engaged in our hospitality operations, including food service, medical support coordination, transportation logistics, and event planning for our fundraising initiatives.” While underscoring the benefit of the programme to both TJB and the student/intern, Clare, Sr., urged the community to show its support when called upon to do so, citing challenges to the core mission of providing for the athletes especially during competition at the event in Philadelphia, PA. The welfare programme includes, but is not limited to, ground transportation, accommodation, meals and performance incentives. Team Jamaica Bickle announce new internship program with UTech From left: UTech intern Kerisha Green; TJB Chairman Irwine Clare, Sr, OD; Frank James, CEO of GraceKennedy, and Karen Wilson-Robinson, Esq, vice chair/TJB. CONTRIBUTED FEATURE
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