As part of its yearlong celebration of 175 years of excellence, St. George’s College recently hosted a dynamic day of storytelling events, highlighting the legacy, resilience, and vibrant spirit of the North Street institution.
The two-part event began with School Daze, a lively morning session in the school’s auditorium for lower school students. The event brought together notable alumni and educators who shared spirited and personal tales from their time at STGC.
There were impactful stories shared by Orane Shaw, head of the school’s science department and a physics teacher. A multifaceted educator, he also coaches the school’s robotics and volleyball teams, contributes musically to the STGC band, and founded the Agricultural Science Programme, establishing the school farm in the process.
Other speakers included English teacher and former basketball standout Simon Brown; vice principal Huntley Anderson, who shared a powerful story of perseverance through his days in rugby and track; and Kenneth Lewis, president of the South Florida Chapter of the Old Boys Association and law professor at the Shepard Broad College of Law. Lewis had the students roaring with laughter as he recalled a 13-0 Pepsi Cup victory in which he scored four goals, flipping the script on opponents who had dismissed his team as “soft.” When host Curtis Myrie, veteran journalist and marketing professional, asked how such a team could be labeled, the students gleefully shouted: “Porridge!”
The storytelling was enhanced by video montages of school life and spirited dub poetry performances by Christine Neil Wright, Charlie Bobus, Wise Wurdz, Cherry Natural, Myrie, and Malachi Smith, founder of the Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour. Second former and drama club member Jedani Sibblies summed it up best, calling the event “really motivational.”
Later that evening, the celebration continued with Toasts & Tales, a more formal reception held under the school’s iconic banyan tree before moving to the conference room. The event included a special toast to the tree itself, with principal Margaret Campbell and author Curtis Myrie presenting a jointly written poem in its honor.
The evening paid tribute to 1959 graduate and philanthropist Philip Wong, with the premiere of a documentary about his life and generosity. Wong, founder and CEO of Deltana Architectural Hardware in South Florida, marked the school’s milestone with a JMD$10 million donation. The funds, split across five key areas, will support teacher salaries, infrastructure improvements, sports equipment, technology, and scholarships.
Wong’s former scholarship recipient, attorney Jezeel Martin, delivered a heartfelt address, praising Wong’s mentorship and impact. The night concluded with select readings from Staring Into My Soul, the debut poetry collection by Myrie. Choked with emotion, he ended with the poignant declaration: “St. George’s College means everything to me.”
