GoodHeart | Class of 1975 gives back for St Andrew High centenary
Published:Saturday | September 27, 2025 | 12:07 AM
Nearly 50 years after they walked out of the Cecelio Avenue gates with mixed emotions leaving their tunics behind, the Class of 1975 has returned to St Andrew High School for Girls to give back. In honour of their golden anniversary, the alumnae became the first cohort to donate towards the school’s centenary, contributing $3.5 million to the institution.
The story of this gift began with their reunion. In April 2024, more than 40 women from the Class of ‘75 gathered in Negril for a long-awaited reunion. For some, it was the first time seeing each other since high school; for others, it was an opportunity to strengthen ties that had endured for decades. “It was phenomenal,” reflected Camille Marr Facey. “The years seemed to melt away, and the reconnections were immediate.”
That reunion carried profound meaning. Just months later, the group lost one of their classmates, Ruth Alberga, who had attended the event. Her passing, while heartbreaking, reminded them of the fragility of life and the urgency of acting on the things that truly matter. “Her loss made us keenly aware that tomorrow is not promised. We must not put off until tomorrow what we want to do today,” said Facey.
It was in that spirit that the women made a collective decision to mark their 50th anniversary in 2025, coming together to give back to the school. The ladies has since rallied across borders, with contributions arriving from classmates living in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Belize, Panama, France, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, and, of course, Jamaica.
What unites them is a shared gratitude for the foundation the school has laid in their lives. Over the decades, they have become accomplished women in fields such as medicine, law, engineering, and entrepreneurship, to name a few.
Now, through their donation, they are passing that legacy forward. Speaking on the rationale behind this decision, Facey shared, “Our class thinks it is important to play our part in ensuring our school continues to grow from strength to strength.”
She added, “We are indebted to St Andrew [High] for the solid foundation on which we built our professional lives.” As the institution celebrates its 100th anniversary under the theme ‘A Century of Abundance’, the gift from the Class of ’75 is both a milestone and a message.
“This gift is our way of ensuring that future generations of young women will enjoy the same quality education and opportunities that we were so fortunate to receive,” said Facey. “We are proud to call ourselves graduates of St Andrew High, and even prouder to give back to the school that shaped who we are today and has enabled us to succeed in our chosen fields of endeavour over the last fifty years.”
She continued, “We hope our contribution inspires fellow ‘old girls’ to join us in celebrating St Andrew High and in supporting the school’s continued growth and success.”