The second they got back together, it was like nothing at all had changed. These women say they are sisters for life and share a bond that they are all too eager to show-off.

"It's a real joy to be with these ladies. I feel like a schoolgirl again!" said Hilary HoSang, beaming with glee.

It was the 50th reunion of the Convent of Mercy Academy Alpha (known by most as simply Alpha) class of 1959. It was hard to believe, but the women gathered at Kingston's Holy Trinity Cathedral for a special reunion service, were all members of the same graduating class of 1959. The women were back together for a few days to reminisce on old times. Some flew in from Europe, others from North America to help keep the bond they formed half a century ago, strong.

"We've been talking about things like our old school dances and so on. It really has been a trip down memory lane," said HoSang.

During the three-day whirlwind reunion, the Alpha old girls worshipped together, had a sit-down discussion with the prime minister and also dropped legs at an oldies party with the men from St George's College, class of 1959. Some even turned up at the party in full school uniform.

The women recalled days of being lectured in and out of the classroom by a strict group of teachers who instilled in them the value of carrying themselves with pride and dignity.

The walk

Gloria Thompson Braham (in Alpha uniform), Ronnie Thwaites (centre) and Najat Khourieh Levy (foreground) three 59ers, on the dance floor at the Ol' Times Party, which ended the joint Convent of Mercy Academy Alpha and St George's College Class of 1959 Reunion activities recently. - Contributed

"I think our teachers were the ones who developed what has become known as the 'Alpha walk' all over the world," said Jean Wilson, another member of the 1959 class.

The 'Alpha walk,' as the old girls of the school are always eager to explain, is the purposeful, confident gait the young girls at the school are taught early during their tenure at the school.

"They (the teachers) would always tell us that there was meaning behind how we carry ourselves. I think that this has stayed with all of us," said Dixon.

"Even today, you can spot an Alpha old girl in a crowd just by the way she walks," Dixon laughed.

Other memories involved school dances where the young women were allowed to mingle with the often nervous boys of the nearby St George's College.

Here, the Alpha girls learned to dance and socialise with the opposite sex in a setting heavily supervised to help ensure the highest level of decorum was maintained.

It was a fun-filled reunion for all and at the end if it, the bond among the women of Alpha Academy's class of 1959 was as strong as ever.

"

We've been talking about things like our old school dances and so on. It really has been a trip down memory lane. - HoSang.

HoSang