Roxroy McLean, Gleaner Intern

Yvette Smith (second left), principal of St Hugh's High School, and Olympian Aleen Bailey (second right), march with students around the school compound on Tuesday. - Contributed

St Hugh's High School students Micara Vassell and Kemoy Christie have described, as something special, the life lessons handed down to them by Aleen Bailey during a function held at the school on Tuesday.

Bailey, who represented the successful Jamaican Olympic team to Beijing, China, stressed to the students that it is important to get an education while participating in sports.

"I want to tell you, keep focused and be the best that you can be," she said. "But also stay focused in school, it's a 50/50 effort. No, in fact, give 60 per cent to school and the other to sports, 'cause school is more important."

Great experience

Bailey, a 2004 4x100-metre relay gold medallist, said the experience was great, given the reception she got from the students who paraded around the school with her.

"It was fun. I didn't know they were so excited about me," she told The Gleaner. "Everyone wanted to get little papers signed, it was really fun."

Christie and Vassell, who live in Spanish Town and Portmore, St Catherine, respectively, said they were delighted by the day's proceedings.

"Personally ... having Aleen here was encouraging. What she said today really inspired me and also enhanced my knowledge," said vice-captain of the track and field team Christie, who is currently studying communication studies, sociology, visual arts and food and nutrition.

"Throwing the discus and shot put is my key to a scholarship ... she [Aleen] said sociology is fun, I'm doing it ... that inspired me to continue doing my studies," said Vassell, who is studying economics, mathematics, communication studies and sociology.

Thesseca Grant, acting head of the history department, said the function, under the theme 'Our Jamaican Olympians', was geared towards highlighting the achievements of the athletes who went to the Beijing Olympics in August.

Annual heritage week

"Every year, there is a heritage week, so this year our activities are geared towards the Olympians who made us proud," said Grant.

The school honoured former Olympian and past students Dr Cynthia Thompson - a pioneer of Jamaican women's sprinting - and Nigella Saunders, who gave 12 years to the sport of badminton.

March

The students, along with Bailey, marched around the school's historical buildings and presented different pieces from the music, drama and dance clubs, in a one-hour span.