On January 16, 1961, Diego Martin Government Secondary School opened its gates to approximately 106 students. The Principal was the late Samuel Thornhill. Almost five decades later, thousands have had the opportunity to gain a sound education, and experience what many past students would describe as a great learning experience. On January 16, 2011, Diego Sec, as it is affectionately called, will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and the school's newly formed Diego Martin Government Secondary Alumni Association is taking the milestone seriously. Celebrations are taking place months in advance, starting with a Gourmet Evening on the Greens on the school's compound tomorrow.
The occasion promises to be an evening of fun, good friends and good food. The diverse menu will be prepared by 40 chefs, including top celebrity chefs Andre Rocke, Eldon Thompson, Rennison Pierre, and Alberto Sham Poo–all graduates of Diego Sec. They will be aiming to satisfy the palates of patrons with Indian, Creole, Mediterranean, and creative Topical dishes. Events co-ordinator of the association, Judy Greene, said Saturday's event will be only the beginning of bigger and better things to come.
Leading members
From doctors, to lawyers, to successful athletes, Diego Sec has produced many great men and women over the years, some of whom have gone on to become leading members of the society. They include Dr Ivor Gloudon–a top athlete and the association's interim president; Labour Judge Albert Aberdeen; well-known musician Geraldine Connor; Island People's Derrick Lewis; and media personality and vocalist Raymond Edwards. Meanwhile, current students such as Hezekiel Romeo and Alena Brooks, continue to make the school proud. Romeo, a fifth former, captured gold and set a new record in shot put at the Central American and Caribbean Games, while Brooks, a scholarship winner and track and field athlete, was a gold medalist at the Carifta Games in 2009 and 2010.
Diego Sec is also a school which takes initiative. Long before the Education Minister's announcement that form one students would be given laptops, Diego Sec–the first school in the country to do this–has been offering Computer Literacy classes to its students since 1984. The students themselves had raised funds to purchase the computers. The school was also the first to introduce Agricultural Science as an official subject. A joy Greene, who has been working with the alumni for the past 20 years, said the association worked in collaboration with the school's principal, Gayle Khan; former principal, Paula Daniel; the school Board; and the Parent Teachers' Association.
She said the alumni would continue its work to raise funds through special events in order to facilitate the advancement and upgrading of the school. "Our Retro Cooler Fete held in June was a huge success and attracted more than one hundred past students. We will definitely make it an annual affair," she asserted. She added that the association hoped to stage a Christmas/pastel party before the grand anniversary celebration on March 12 next year, which she said would take the form of a gala dinner and dance. The anniversary celebration, Greene said, would be open to all graduates, both local and foreign-based. "The feeling you get knowing you went to the same school, it's like a joy you know?"
Alive and vibrant
To help keep the alumni vibrant and improve the school for present students and teachers, Greene said the aim was to get younger past students on board. High on the agenda, she said, was to have enough fund-raisers to finally construct the school's hall, which has been in the making for many years. 11111111111111"I want to see that hall. It's hurtful when you see that school now. The rooms are deplorable," she said, passionately. "Diego Sec means to me my heart. If it wasn't for Diego Sec, we won't be where we are today. I have a love and passion for my foundation."
