Antigua Girls High School (AGHS), one of Antigua and Barbuda’s oldest schools set up in 1886, recently celebrated its 139th anniversary. Several events were organized to commemorate the milestone.
One of the highlights was the presentation of awards recognizing academic excellence and contributions to the school community at a special service ceremony held at the Cathedral of St John the Divine on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Prestigious awards
Antigua and Barbuda’s Governor General Rodney Williams and Lady Williams were present on the occasion to give awards. The former presented the Alvin Morris Information and Technology Award, named after the late educator Alvin Morris, while the latter gave the humanitarian award, which encourages selflessness among young people. Both the Williams are award patrons.
Karen Mae-Hill, the Caribbean island-state’s ambassador to the United Kingdom handed over the Modern Language Award at the ceremony.
Other awards highlighting top performers included the AGHS Business Studies Award, Kathleen Flax Home Economic Award (after the school’s iconic teacher, the late Kathleen Flax), Brianna Anthony C-SEC English Award, Dr Delores H. Lovell Memorial Award, and Marion O’Reilly-Byron Musical Award, among others. There was also the Heather Doram and Bernard Richardson Creative Pioneers Award which recognized visual arts and the Principal’s Award to honour overall excellence.
What recipients and patrons said
Sophie Gilkes, one of the recipients of the awards, said it was a recognition of not only her efforts but also those made by her teachers and everyone concerned at the school. “I am just grateful in general,” she said.
Lilian Munoz, another awardee, also expressed her gratitude for the recognition. She thanked her teachers for motivating her and making her practise more so that her preparation was top notch. She also congratulated AGHS for completing the milestone.
One of the award patrons, Marion Byron said she was celebrating 25 years of involvement with CXC (Caribbean Examinations Council) Music and also as an education officer and it was a proud moment for her to give an award in her honour and as a legacy to not only the school but the entire nation.
Brianna Anthony, an AGHS alumni, said the Brianna Anthony C-SEC English Award was a perfect fit for the school. She said it is not possible for the government and educators alone to do it and so she decided to play her part to build on the legacy which has already been established and recognize the students’ hard work and dedication shown throughout the year.
The celebration also observed the institute’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence empowering young women for nearly 140 years.
The school has organized several other events over the week, including sporting activities (February 6 and 7), two evening theatres (February 8) and an all-inclusive tea party called ‘Timeless Tea’ (February 16).
Antigua Girls’ High School Honeybee Theatre, which is playing a major role in staging the celebrations, is also completing a decade in 2025.
