Immaculate Hall of Fame Benefit banquet

The biennial Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) Hall of Fame benefit banquet is now one for the history books.

Held recently at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, under the patronage of Senator Don Wehby, group chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Limited, with the theme 'Learn, Lead, and Lift', six outstanding alumnae were inducted along with one recipient of the inaugural Hall of Fame's G. Raymond Chang Award.

About 500 guests attended the sold-out event - many from the overseas chapters of the ICHS Alumnae Association family, and hundreds from the local chapter, including past and present faculty members, members of the clergy, including the Reverend Kenneth D.O. Richards, archbishop of Kingston; Minister of Health Christopher Tufton and his wife, Naedeen; and past honorees, including Sister Maureen Clare Hall, Thalia Lyn and Rita Humphries.

According to Hall of Fame chair Donette Chin-Loy Chang, the Hall of Fame is the school's largest fundraiser and has grown since its inception in 2013 to being a signature event on the social calendar. While it recognises extraordinary alumnae, it also raises well-needed funds for the next generation who might otherwise have not had a chance at tertiary education. About five students have received scholarships since the inaugural event. She noted, "Our great thanks to lead sponsor GraceKennedy and other sponsors - Barita, Stewart's Auto, Select Brands Limited, Betco Premier Limited, BCIC, Supreme Ventures, CPJ, Cafe Blue, J. Wray & Nephew Ltd, The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Ann Marie Wyss and the extraordinary planning committee from Canada, the United States and Jamaica."

Wehby stated in his address, "Quality education for the children of Jamaica must be a number one priority for each of us. We are proud to honour such stalwarts in the community, some who have gone on to shine on the world stage."

This year's recipients were:

- Jeanne Meany, Class of 1943, for volunteerism.

- Sister Maureen Avril Chin Fatt, Class of 1958 for religion education and volunteerism.

- Carole Jean Sinclair, Class of 1961, for volunteerism.

- Dr I. Antoinette Sutherland, Class of 1962, for medicine and volunteerism.

- Justice Norma Wade Miller, Class of 1964, for law and public service.

- Karlene Largie, Class of 1967, for education and volunteerism.

- Gary 'Butch' Hendrickson, the inaugural G. Raymond Chang Awardee, for business and philanthropy.

Past recipients include Mary Anne Chambers, Thalia Lyn, Sister Maureen Clare Hall, Dr Dorothy Anna Jarvis, Lisa M. Narcisse (deceased), Valerie Levy, Rita Humphries, Patsy Lyn (deceased), Yvonne Lyew, Jennifer Hoyes, Sister Grace Yap, Beryl Williams (deceased).

Immaculate Conception High School has been a leading and well-respected educational institution in Jamaica and worldwide for more than 150 years. Its committed faculty and staff have educated thousands of young women in Jamaica and from around the world, many of whom have gone on to make an indelible mark in their respective fields.