BH to celebrate milestone with Vere Tech

October is the date tentatively set as the School Improvement Month with projects for beautification.

Michael Boyd, general manager of BH Paints, said Vere has earned a reputation as a school of excellence with great achievements in academics and sports.

"Like Vere, BH paints has won several awards locally and internationally for outstanding quality in our paints. It is for this reason that we at BH and Harris Paints International welcome the alliance of both BH Paints and Vere Technical as two world brands."

BH Paints, which has a marketing presence in 23 countries, was acquired by Harris Paints of Barbados in 2006 and is now part of a Caribbean company with production distribution facilities in Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia and Dominica.

Richard Bowen, MC for the launch and director of Laribo Marketing and Consultants, revealed that Vere Technical has a world record of producing the most Olympians from any one school.

He said after his extensive research, it stands at 38 students from Vere, which is a remarkable achievement for a school formed in the 1960s.

"For Vere Technical to be formed in the 60s and sending a representative to the highest level in the mid-60s, it speaks volume," said Bowen, a former Kingston College student.

The great Merlene Ottey heads a list that includes, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Debbie Ann Parris, Omar Brown, Aileen Bailey, Merlene Fraser, sisters Inez and Evette Turner, Steve Mullings, Collin Bradford, Albert Lawrence, Michael Blackwood, brother and sister Michael and Beverley McDonald, Maureen Bradshaw, Lacena Golding-Clarke, Claudine Williams (who went a s a 14-year-old), Charmaine Howell, Madrea Hyman and Catherine Scott, just to name a few.

Dr Henritta Stewart, principal of Vere Technical, said her school is truly honoured to have BH paints drawn into the 50th anniversary celebrations.

"We want to thank you BH for partnering with us... when you visit the school you will say it's money well spent," said Dr Stewart.

"A physical environment must be conducive to learning and I believe that this re-painting of Vere Technical... will serve as a distinct motivation to enhance the teaching and learning process," she added.

As part of Vere's 50th anniversary celebrations, there will a a Thanksgiving Ceremony set for October 31; Community Outreach Day for December 8; Founder's Day service on January 2011; Culture day on March 4, Ben Francis Invitational on March 18 and culminate with an Awards Banquet at the Pegasus Hotel in April.

Several sporting events including football and track and field between several schools will also be a part of the activities.