The third staging of the Ardenne Alumni Foundation Optima 5K Run, set for Sunday, February 1, is shaping up to be the most consequential edition of the event since its inception.
More than a traditional fundraiser, this year’s run/walk is designed to deliver a dual impact, advancing wellness infrastructure at Ardenne High School while extending critical support to Westwood High School following hurricane devastation.
Launch signals expanded vision
At the official launch held recently on the Ardenne campus, organizers announced that proceeds from the event will be directed toward the construction of a long-planned wellness center. In parallel, a portion of the funds will assist Ardenne’s sister institution, Westwood High School, where several buildings, including boarding facilities, were severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa last October.
Flo Darby, Chair of the Ardenne Alumni Foundation, outlined the anticipated construction timeline, noting that early groundwork is expected to begin within the first quarter of the year.
“We hope to start building maybe in the first three months of this year. We hope that we will start something, not necessarily putting down the building, the foundation, but at least start it,” Darby said.
The wellness center is envisioned as a shared resource, serving not only Ardenne students but also students from outside the institution, expanding its reach beyond the school’s gates.
A centennial target
Darby also emphasized the symbolic importance of completing the project in alignment with a historic milestone.
“Ardenne will celebrate 100 years next year, so this will be a great celebration. We hope to complete the building for our centenary or at least at the end of our centenary year, which is next year. We need everybody on board to make this a reality,” she explained.
Meeting the financial challenge
Acting Principal Jacqueline Pinto expressed optimism that this year’s fundraising target can be achieved, underscoring the broader educational significance of the project.
“My expectation for this year’s 5K run/walk is that we can indeed meet the $64 million target that we need to commence and conclude the construction of a wellness center. This is really needed in our education system so that we can help our students to develop and become well-responsible citizens in Jamaica, so that they can contribute effectively to national productivity and development,” Pinto said.
Continued support for Westwood High
Pinto also reaffirmed Ardenne’s long-standing commitment to Westwood High School, noting that the relationship dates back more than two decades.
“Part of the proceeds from our run/walk is to our sister school, Westwood High. They were severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa, where their boarding facilities were also negatively impacted. So, we hope that we will raise enough funds to assist our sister school,” she said.
She added that Ardenne has provided support since around 2000, including hosting Westwood students in Grades 12 and 13 prior to the establishment of their sixth form, and accommodating displaced students during the first term following Hurricane Melissa.
Athletes champion mental well-being
Ardenne’s most celebrated athletics alumnus, Olympian Brandon Simpson, lent his voice to the cause, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support within schools.
“Initiatives like this are really powerful because I do believe that we don’t have a lot of support for students or athletes,” Simpson said.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure in the school system, especially for student athletes. I think it’s really important to find a solution for that. This is going to be an awesome solution for the pressure that athletes face, and students face as well.”
National athletes endorse the vision
Olympian Christopher Taylor, a Calabar High alumnus, also endorsed the initiative after attending the launch.
“When I attended this launch today, I heard that they are building a wellness center at Ardenne, in a high school. I am really big on wellness and mental health, so I am fully in support of this, and I am really looking forward to it,” Taylor said.
The Optima 5K Run will start and finish on the Ardenne Road campus, taking participants along Trafalgar Road before looping eastward back to the school. Organizers are targeting at least 1,000 participants this year, after narrowly missing that mark in 2025.
