St. Catherine High School, a Catholic co-educational school in Spanish Town, Jamaica, was founded in 1948 by Father Matthew Ashe, a Jesuit priest, and Sister Mary Mercedes Doorley of the Sisters of Mercy. Classes began on September 6, 1948, in a single classroom at St. Catherine Elementary on White Church Street. The founders set out to give promising children, who could not win places at the traditional grammar schools in Spanish Town and Kingston, a chance at a high school education.
That legacy was celebrated recently when the St. Catherine High School Alumni Association Northeast Inc., in association with the Kiwanis Club of Jamaica, Queens East Division, held its Gala Awards and Ceremony on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The evening was quite a success, with the highest honor of the night, the Philanthropic Award, going to Grace Spice Hamilton.
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Dwight Rosa served as Master of Ceremonies. Dion Barnes Robinson gave the welcome remarks, and Petal Scott delivered the invocation. The national anthems of the United States and Jamaica were sung. Greetings were brought by the Honorable Oliver R. Mayer, Consul General of Jamaica in New York, and by the school’s principal, Marlon Campbell. Guests enjoyed dinner and a live auction.
The Trailblazer Scholarship was presented by Cherise Francis and received by Mykela Alexander. The Sports and Academic Scholarship was presented by Helena Whitter, Chairperson of the Beryl Levi Foundation, Tower Isles and Vice President Tower Isles Frozen Food Company and received by Kwame Alexander.
The Awards
- Community Impact Award: presented by Clinton Phillips to the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation.
- Outstanding Alumni Award: presented by Consul General Oliver R. Mayer to Sydjea “CJ” Anderson.
- Founding Member Award: presented by Orrin Wint to Dr. Rosemary Lee Dawkins.
- Legacy Leadership Award: presented by Andrew Thomas to Clarence Brown.
- Philanthropic Award: presented by Garrett “Red Fox” Shelton to Grace Spice Hamilton.
The partnership between the alumni association and the Kiwanis Club of Jamaica, Queens East Division, reflects a shared commitment to service and to supporting young people and communities in need. The evening was a reminder that the values instilled at St. Catherine High School continue to shape its graduates wherever they settle.
The program closed with a vote of thanks from Wilbert Davis.
