A third-form student was this year’s recipient of the St. Georges College Class of 1976 Scholarship, honoring John T. Rupley.
Triston Turner was presented with the scholarship award by Jamaican music scholar, Clyde McKenzie — of the St. George’s class of 1976 — during the year group’s orientation at the school on Sept. 6. The award included full tuition and expenses in addition to an electronic tablet.
The event was a culmination of a year-long effort to fund and execute the Class of 1976 Scholarship, honoring John T. Rupley.
“Speaking for members of the Scholarship Planning Committee, Triston’s appreciation expressed at the event yielded an enormous sense of accomplishment for us,” said Michael Hanson, a member of the St. George’s Old Boys Association and part of the scholarship planning committee.
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“As we ponder our golden years, Mr. Rupley’s legacy, and the legacy that we will be leaving, the opportunities being presented to future scholarship recipients strengthen this legacy.”
John T. Rupley: A beloved teacher
John Thomas Rupley, a former math teacher at the school, was one of the most beloved educators at the institution.
Rupley received his formal education at Xavier University in Cincinnati, completing a B.A. and M.S. in mathematics, and an M.Ed. in Administration/Counseling.
Triston Turner listens on.
With his education, he began his 40-year career as a math teacher in various venues around the world. His first teaching post was at St. George’s College, where he stayed for 17 years. After that, he taught for the U.S. Department of Defense on navy ships in the Mideast, in South Korea, and in Guam. Then he took a brief assignment at SUNY New Paltz, finishing his career at Pikeville College in Kentucky, a 9-year stay.
Rupley died on April 23, 2023.
“John’s devotion to his students and his effectiveness as an excellent math teacher is attested to by the number of them who have maintained warm contact with him over the years, by those whom he has helped in their university careers, and by his St. George’s boys who have established a scholarship fund in his honor,” his obituary read.
In a 2017 interview with the Jamaica Observer, Clyde McKenzie said Rupley was one of the best teachers he encountered at St. George’s.
As of Sept. 30, the old boys association has raised US$ 140,000 towards our goal of US$ 200,000 with the help of the the Florida Chapter of the STGCOBA.
“We encourage classmates who have been considering contributing to do so and help us to meet our goal. We look forward to updating the amount raised over the next few weeks as commitments from additional donors are received,” Hanson said.
