Monique Hines (right) with her friend, Daniella Fenton, at the event which saw Montego Bay High School girls out in their numbers at the venue in Ironshore Montego Bay, on Saturday, September 12.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Beverly Rowe has several grandchildren and she said she loved them all, "but you Monique, I want you to settle down and focus on your school work".

The grandmother and mother of three had put on a sweet-16 party for her offspring, Monique Hines, a student at the Montego Bay High School, at a family member's residence in the upscale Ironshore community in the resort city.

Education is the key

A shy Hines, excited by the night's activities, listened keenly to the instructions. "Education is the key to success, just promise me you will walk good, you are on a journey, just keep a steady head," said Rowe.

Hines was flanked by a host of her female peers as well as a number of young men from the school on the hill beside the sea made famous by the talented young men who have passed through its doors, Cornwall College, of course! But it was all under the watchful eyes of parents and guardians.

From Left: Sharae Lodge, Denise Sinclair and Deon Campbell in a huddle at Monique Hines' sweet-16 birthday party.

Feeding their faces are (from left) Brandon Ten-Fah, Michael Mullings and Maurice McCurdy.