By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a celebration marked by pride and nostalgia, St. Joseph Secondary School Ex-Pupils Association Freetown Chapter observed its 158th Foundation Day with the launch of the “Decade Badges” initiative on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The event, held at the school’s Brookfields premises in Freetown, was graced by alumni, students and well-wishers, highlighting the school’s enduring legacy and commitment to excellence.
In her address, Ms. Rufina Adjivon-Tucker, Chairperson of the 160th Anniversary Committee, delivered a passionate keynote address, underscoring the importance of the initiative. “It is with immense joy and pride that I stand before you today as we once again make history with this one-of-a-kind Decade Badge project,” she said.
She described the initiative as a tribute to the generations of alumni who have contributed to the school’s legacy, weaving excellence, faith and resilience into its rich history. The badges, representing different decades, serve as symbols of the shared memories, milestones and unshakeable bonds of sisterhood that have defined the school for 158 years.
Ms. Rufina Adjivon-Tucker emphasized that the launch was more than a celebration of the past; it was a call to action for the future. “Today, we honor our past, celebrate our present and inspire the future to carry forward the legacy we are creating,” she stated.
The Decade Badge launch also marked the beginning of a “once-a-year investment fund vision drive” and a decade-based competition designed to unite alumni and bolster support for the school’s upcoming 160th anniversary. “Let this initiative serve as a powerful reminder of our collective strength and a call to unite even more as we march towards the 160th year of our school,” she urged.
She concluded with a spirited acknowledgment of the alumni’s unwavering support and contributions. With chants of “Esto Fidelis” echoing through the grounds, the celebration reinforced the school’s enduring motto of faithfulness and unity.
Marie Angele Betts, President of the St. Joseph Secondary School Ex-Pupils Association, Freetown Chapter, emphasized that the flag-raising and badge launch mark the commencement of preparations for the school’s 160th anniversary. She highlighted the Association’s pivotal contributions, notably the construction of a modern building that enabled the current one-shift system.
She pointed out that their next target is to complete the school hall by 2026, ahead of the 160th-anniversary celebrations. She also acknowledged the Association’s global network, underscoring its role as the school’s backbone through unwavering support and resource mobilization.
Closing the ceremony was the official unveiling of the decade badges by various distinguished grand chief un-veilers of the various decades.
As St. Joseph’s Secondary School looks forward to its 160th anniversary, the decade badges launch and collaborative efforts of the ex-pupils Association demonstrate a steadfast commitment to preserving its legacy and enhancing the institution’s future.
