Citation for Andrea Keizer-Bowman on her retirement

by Michèle Clavery

There is no denying that the St Vincent Girls’ High School (GHS) is and has always been Andrea’s pride and joy. The obvious reasons might be short-listed this way: her mother was headmistress and Andrea and her two sisters are all graduates of the school. GHS shaped them all.

Evidence of this moulding is observed in the way Andrea has ‘run’ the school. Run is used deliberately, for a perusal of that three-letter, seemingly benign word, would highlight my choice of word and would also shed light on Andrea’s tenure as headmistress of the GHS, our Alma Mater.

I choose seven interpretations of the word run to highlight Andrea’s tenure as headmistress of the GHS. These interpretations are as follows:

Run –

1. to continue in force, operation, or production;

2. to pass from one state to another;

3. to tend to produce or develop a specified quality or feature;

4. to lie in or take a certain direction;

5. to go in pursuit of;

6. to run a tight ship;

7. to accomplish or perform by or as if by running a great race.

Andrea Keizer-Bowman’s tenure at the GHS showed that she continued, in full force, that which her mother Norma Keizer, started. But, of course, in recognition of the fact of the changing times, Andrea knew that she had to pass from one state of operation (her mother’s way of operating), to one which serviced the needs of today’s millennials. And that she did! Here’s how Andrea did that.

Andrea recognized that today’s millennials would have to compete in a world that is rapidly changing; that they would have to compete with the best and the brightest. Therefore, it was Andrea’s aim to produce a student/citizen of the world that was world-class. In this regard, Andrea ensured that her ‘daughters’ were more than simply achievers. She pressed them. She pushed them – demanded that they met and surpassed standards set by the Caribbean Examinations Council. The GHS developed a specified quality or feature: that of gaining subject passes in the double digits. That became something of a signature feature at the GHS.

Under Andrea Keizer-Bowman’s tenure, the GHS was well on its way towards a certain direction; the course had been charted.

Always, always, Andrea was in pursuit of excellence. There is no denying the achievements of those who passed through the portals of that grand centenarian, GHS, under Andrea’s tenure. Be it known, though, that those achievements did not come quietly and/or with lukewarm effort.

Andrea Keizer-Bowman ran a tight ship! Of course, no ship is without its attendant shipmates. Thanks must also spread to all the able teachers with whom Andrea worked, and who worked with her. That, in large part, allowed her to execute in the way she has.

Finally (though much more can be said), Andrea Keizer-Bowman accomplished and performed by running a great race. The records and awards, the achievements and accomplishments are all present and permanent for the public’s perusal.

God-speed, Andrea. The GHS thanks you; Norma thanks you. You have done well.