West St George Secondary Marks 22 Years of History, Growth and Legacy 

By S.Browne. Updated 12:18 p.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

West St George Secondary School in Belair marked its 22nd anniversary on September 16, 2026, with a thanksgiving service that brought together past and present members of the school community to reflect on the institution’s history and legacy.

The school, which opened its doors on September 16, 2004, held the service under the theme “Our Past Our Present Our Legacy”, with past and present students, former principals and deputies, teachers, deputy principals and principals gathering for the milestone.

Among those present were the school’s first principal, Alinda Hypolite; second principal, Asfo Stephens; and third principal, Dianne Williams. Area Representative Kashaka Cupid and Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation Phillip Jackson also attended.

The service featured reflections from former students, school leaders and officials, with speakers encouraging students to learn from the past while remaining focused on their future.

The sermon was delivered by Troy Archibald, a 2016 graduate and former student of the school.

Archibald spoke about his own experience of failing the then Common Entrance examination and said that experience led him to change his attitude and apply himself more fully to his schoolwork.

Using the life story of Moses, Archibald encouraged students to use their past as a foundation, their present as preparation and their future as a realisation of their success and potential.

Principal Afi Martin reflected on the early beginnings of the institution and paid tribute to her predecessors.

Martin said the school’s “misunderstood beginning” was transforming into a “beacon of holistic triumph”.

Cupid encouraged students to make optimum use of their learning opportunities and work towards making West St George Secondary the best learning institution in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He also pledged to assist the school in every way possible during his tenure in office.

Jackson, in his remarks, told students about Government initiatives to pay their Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) sign-up costs and reduce St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College fees by up to 50 per cent.

Jackson told students that while the Government is working to help ensure they have a bright future, they also have a responsibility to do their part, describing education and learning as a partnership.

The feature speaker was another former student, E. Allison Davis, a member of the class of 2017 and its valedictorian.

Davis told students not to allow negative public opinions about the school to stop them from learning or achieving their fullest potential.

She candidly recalled that when she learned she would be attending West St George Secondary, she was unhappy and did not want to attend. She said her mother helped her to see the situation differently.

Davis told students that success does not come solely from the school they attend and that they can be successful at any school if they are willing to work hard and remain committed to learning.

The 22nd anniversary service brought together those who have been part of the school’s history with current members of its community, as West St George Secondary reflected on its past and looked towards its future.

The school’s anniversary message called on its community to move forward with gratitude for its past, enthusiasm for its future and a commitment to the legacy being created in the present.

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