Rhoden-Wiggan Analee Bernard, Correspondent
Black River, St Elizabeth:
Past vice-Principal of Black River Primary School, Dorris Rhoden-Wiggan, wears many hats. From sportswoman to educator to cultural leader, her contributions to the quiet parish capital are immeasurable.
Loving her profession at which she worked for over 35 years, she not only taught at several schools in St. Elizabeth, but extented her services to St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. James.
A former volleyball player, she represented her parish well at the national level. Her involvement in sports was recognised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports thus giving her an opportunity to help build the Institute of Sports. She was the only female member of the organising team of this body.
Involvement in culture
Although dedicated to academics, Rhoden-Wiggan was also heavily involved in the cultural side of things. She trained, entered and judged students in music and dance for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) competition and earned many gold, silver and bronze medals for the school.
Civic and religious groups have also benefited from her range of talents. She has given voluntary service to the Jamaica Cancer Society, the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation, the St. Elizabeth Horticultural Society, Black River Keswick Convention and the Bible Society of the West Indies.
Ardent church worker
She is an ardent church worker, serving in the capacity of organist, choir director; Sunday school superintendent; florist; church committee member and deputy enrolling member of the Anglican Mother's Union at St. Barnabas, Crawford, St. Elizabeth; public relations officer of the Crawford Benevolent Society; and she now serves as president of the St. Elizabeth Horticultural Society.
Among her many awards are outstanding teacher for the parish of St. Elizabeth in 2002; The Jamaica Teachers' Association 25th Anniversary Award for outstanding service; JCDC citation for outstanding service; National Heritage Week Award for outstanding service in the field of culture and sports in St. Elizabeth and the Keswick Award for over 10 years of invaluable service to the Black River Convention Choir.
Her love for her profession as a teacher and culture has led her to serve for over 35 years in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. James and St. Elizabeth as resource person and educator. She also represented Jamaica in the field of volley ball.
Mrs. Rhoden-Wiggan attributes her success to a 'good father' Hance Rhoden, of Joint Wood district in the parish. She is married to the Reverend Wesley Wiggan for 27 years and is the mother of two sons.
