QUEEN'S College (QC) on Wednesday bade farewell to Headmistress Sharon Oonah Roberts at an impressive Valedictory Ceremony in the school's auditorium.
The ceremony was held under the theme 'Woman of Substance'.
Former QC students, heads and teachers, along with senior education officials, and head teachers of other city schools were among the hundreds who attended the function to bid farewell to Ms. Roberts, who served the school from March 1997.
The event included numerous glowing tributes and the presentation of tokens. There were also songs, dances and musical renditions from teachers, students, former students, Ministry of Education officials, relatives and friends.
Chairman of QC Board of Governors, Mr. Ronald Alli, in his tribute pointed to significant developments during her stewardship. Among them were the formation of a Board, outstanding achievements at CXC and GCE examinations and the award of Best Secondary School in the Caribbean.
He recalled the difficult days following the fire which destroyed part of the school in 1997 and noted that she handled the situation well and motivated her staff.
Ms. Gloria Croft, former classmate of Ms Roberts at Central High School, noted that she was privileged to see Ms. Roberts blossom from a student of substance into a woman of substance and described her as a bright girl in the face of stiff competition during their high school years.
Ms. Croft recalled the day Ms. Roberts got married. She said when her classmate discovered that the groom had not arrived on time, she simply laughed and went for a drive. She took another drive when she arrived a second time and the groom still was not there. The third time around the groom had arrived.
Ms Roberts' kind, good-natured attitude was echoed in every tribute that was made at the ceremony.
Deputy Education Officer, Ms. Marlin Jones, hailed Ms. Roberts' contribution to the development of education in Guyana.
President of the Queen's College Old Students Association (QCOSA), Mr. Laurie Lewis, brought greetings from Old Students chapters in Canada, United States of America and United Kingdom.
He also shared an experience with the captive audience about a case he was tasked with as a member of the Guyana Police Force.
According to Mr. Lewis, he was called to investigate an attempted murder charge. When he arrived on the scene, he learnt that a groom-in-waiting was about to murder his tailor.
The man was Mr. Roberts, he added, provoking much laughter from the packed audience. He never made the arrest, he confessed.
Her son, Aubrey, speaking on behalf of the family, noted that home was a place of research papers, letters and the marking of test papers.
He added that the manuscripts for the Biology Modules now used across the Caribbean were drafted on their dining table.
He also spoke of her active church life, her long hours and weekends at the office and her efficiency in balancing her responsibilities with family life.
Her son commended her for staying in Guyana despite the many challenges.
Acting Principal, Ms. Gem Rohlehr, described the outgoing head as a negotiator, seamstress, mother, wife, sister, writer and Minister.
Ms. Rohlehr stated that she learnt from talking to the Headmistress' mother, Mrs. Mavis Solomon, that from an early age she showed potential.
The acting principal noted that as they celebrate another rite of passage with her, they look forward to her continued assistance. It was her wish that the old doors remain open and new ones swing open for her.
Responding to all the sentiments, Ms. Roberts expressed her heartfelt gratitude and attributed her qualities to her mother who was also present at the ceremony.
"This is a celebration of good parenting. Mom worked hard to feed and clothe us and we had to attend church regularly," she noted.
She added that her mom taught her the values of life, ethics, being conservative and sharing, which she now pass to the younger generation.
"Thanks to you mom, you can see your child retiring as the Headmistress of Guyana's top secondary school," she said proudly.
Her words of counsel to students were: "Develop your spirituality: it is your powerhouse, be faithful and be the best you can be in every faculty."
While thanking the staff and teachers, she urged them to maintain the family-oriented environment that exists in the school and to remember that after parents, they are the most important persons in the life of the students.