Thursday, October 8, 2009

On the afternoon of Friday, October 2, 2009, the Excelsior family gathered in the school’s auditorium for the official handing over of the refurbished science lab project by The Digicel Foundation, working in conjunction with Excelsior Past Students Association.

In January 2007, Mrs. Merline Bardowell, Executive Director of the National Commission on Science & Technology, and Excelsior High School alumna, had done the honours in breaking ground for the upgrading of the Science Lab. This had capped the year-long 75th Anniversary commemoration of the school’s founding.

                                   Major General Robert Neish (c.) Executive Director of The Digicel

                                   Foundation  shares a light moment with (l-r), Christopter Honeywell, President,

                                   Excelsior Past Students Association, Karen Williams, Public Relations Officer,

                                   EPSA and  Phillip Paulwell, former Minister of Industry & Technology, during

                                   the official handing over exercise for the renovated Science Block.           

A project conceptualized by the Excelsior Past Students Association (EPSA), the overhaul of the science facility  was scheduled for completion within four (4) months; however, due to unforeseen circumstances mainly in the form of additional but necessary work (a perennial problem with renovation work) the restoration was only completed at the end of September. Though the old adage says “delay is danger”, today, everyone in attendance was able to bear testament to the contrary when they toured the new facility

During a tour of the newly renovated facilities, senior teacher of physics and chemistry, Ms. Hyacinth Frater who was unable to contain her excitement, expressed how comfortable the surroundings are and how much more conducive they are to learning.

Echoing the same sentiments was Yackob Brown, a sixth former who was appropriately dressed in lab coat also provided by Digicel.  According to Yackob “I am very eager to do my labs now in these comfortable surroundings and will encourage respect and care of the facilities”.

The science block which had existed was fast deteriorating and the EPSA recognized that, a better facility was needed in order to increase the schools capacity to produce a cadre of analytical minds dedicated to scientific research in an increasingly innovation-driven world.

The EPSA energetically undertook the mammoth task and adopted a very professional approach in its efforts to source the requisite funding.  Answering the call directed to corporate Jamaica was The Digicel Foundation.

Significant contributions were made by other notable Excelsorians including Mr. Phillip Paulwell and Mrs. Wyvolin Gager. Corporate sponsorships were also received by the First Caribbean Foundation and Capital and Credit Merchant Bank

According to EPSA President, Christopher Honeywell, “The Association thanks The Digicel Foundation for believing in and backing this project and it is clear that the students and teachers have embraced and will optimize the use of the new and improved laboratories”.

He stated further that the goal could not have been satisfactorily achieved without the tremendous support of the members of the EPSA Executive, who ensured that the project proceeded according to plan.

Responding to the generosity of the Digicel Foundation Association, Principal of the institution, Mr. Deanroy Bromfield, who moved the vote of thanks, lauded the organization its contribution to community development in general and for the enormous contribution to the Excelsior High School’s Science Block Project.