Alumni Reflections
Rev. Dr. Paul Gardner, ’79
Academic & Theologian
I arrived at Cross Keys in January 1977, halfway through the year, and quickly learned what it means to enter a space where relationships and routines were already formed. With the help of friends like Patrick Brown and Orette Dawkins, I found my footing. What could have been an isolating experience became a lesson in observation, adaptation, and humility. Teachers like Mr. Evans and the two who ensured I had a ride home after relocating to Mandeville showed me a level of kindness that has stayed with me and shaped my ministry.
Cross Keys was a place of order and beauty—manicured lawns, quiet corridors, and clubs that helped shape character. The library became my window to the wider world, inspiring travels to more than forty-five countries later in life. As the school celebrates 50 years, my hope is that it continues producing leaders of integrity—nation builders who strengthen both community and country.
Stanley Broomfield, ’80
Agronomist & Educator
I started at Cross Keys in 1976 and was immediately surrounded by students from different communities and backgrounds. At first, I stayed close to familiar faces, but teachers and peers encouraged me to expand my circle. A teacher once pulled me aside to redirect me from the wrong crowd—an act of care that changed the course of my life.
My love for the arts grew at Cross Keys, and it eventually led me to return as the school’s first past student teacher. Agriculture classes taught me practical skills and a scientific way of thinking. The limited subject offerings pushed me to pursue GCE studies in the evenings, which strengthened my resilience and resourcefulness. After Cross Keys I attended Elim Agricultural School and Passley Gardens Teachers College now College of Agriculture, Science and Education. I further studied Environmental Science at Knox Community College.
As the school reaches its 50-year milestone, I hope to see renewed community involvement and a return to the practices that once made Cross Keys a model of school–community partnership.
Milton Thompson, ’80
Retired Police Officer
I was part of one of the first groups to enter Cross Keys, when everything—from the teachers to the classrooms—felt brand new. That experience taught me how to adjust quickly, stay focused, and build relationships in unfamiliar territory. The discipline and confidence I gained there followed me into the police force, where a quote learned during training— “Never say die, up man and try”—became a life motto, first shaped in those early Cross Keys years.
Looking back, I see how the school helped ground my manners, character, and belief in myself. My hope for the next generation is that they embrace kindness, discipline, and respect, values that never go out of style.
Ian Virtue,’80
Former Private Security Supervisor, ALCAN
When I entered Cross Keys in 1976, I stepped into a blend of cultures and backgrounds that shaped me in lasting ways. I began by staying close to my friends from Woodlands, but the diversity of the school pushed me to widen my circle and adjust to new ways of thinking. Cross Keys taught me to be focused, hardworking, and adaptable.
The arts—visual arts, debating, English, and quiz competitions—ignited something in me. I admired the students who excelled in those areas and wanted to grow in the same direction. The school’s emphasis on learning independently prepared me for a world that rewards initiative and self-discipline.
As we celebrate 50 years, I hope to see greater support for tertiary pathways and a more active alumni presence strengthening the school’s resources and opportunities.
Lenford Williams, ‘80
Educator & Coach
My time at Cross Keys fills me with gratitude. It was there that I discovered my strengths, learned discipline, and began to understand the importance of character. The teachers who believed in me played an important role in shaping who I became—an educator committed to lifting others.
The school’s structure and sense of community helped me build confidence and purpose. Teachers like Mr. Watson—firm, committed, and inspiring—taught me how to approach challenges with determination.
As the school turns 50, my hope is that future students embrace discipline, good conduct, and perseverance, and that alumni and community partners continue working together to help the school thrive.
Rosemarie Preddie ’83
Administrative Services Professional
I discovered one of the great joys of my life—baking—inside the Home Economics Department at Cross Keys. What started as class assignments quickly became a passion. The skills I learned there followed me into adulthood, shaping not only what I do but how I approach life: with creativity, patience, and care.
The teachers nurtured us, friends uplifted us, and the environment encouraged us to grow. Everything from time management to resilience was woven into our daily routines. Looking back, I see how those lessons prepared me for every stage of life that followed.
As the school marks its 50th anniversary, I hope it continues fostering environments where talents emerge, partnerships flourish, and students receive the support they need to thrive.
Veronica Thomas Anderson
Medical Surgical Nurse, Emory University Hospital
When I think about my years at Cross Keys High School, my memories are filled with gratitude and pride. I remember the steady leadership and deep commitment of Mr. and Mrs. Walters, whose dedication to students shaped the tone and direction of the school. I remember the simple joys of recess, the excitement of sports days, and racing the 200, 400, 800 meters and relays for Mars House. Graduation remains one of the most emotional milestones of my life — a moment of celebration and transition surrounded by friends who had become family.
Cross Keys played a defining role in shaping who I am. It strengthened my confidence, sharpened my academic discipline, and grounded my moral development. The values instilled there — integrity, honesty, respect, punctuality, teamwork, and leadership — have guided both my personal and professional journey.
Education was deeply valued during my time at the school. We were focused, driven, and encouraged to grow. In hindsight, I appreciate even more the structure and expectations that prepared me for life beyond the classroom. Cross Keys equipped me not only with knowledge, but with resilience, critical thinking skills, and the mindset to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
As we celebrate 50 years, my hope is that Cross Keys continues to build on its legacy of excellence while embracing the possibilities ahead. I would love to see stronger partnerships within the community and expanded opportunities for students — so that future generations can experience the same sense of pride, purpose, and possibility that shaped my life.
Jerry Griffith,’86
Mathematics Educator, Cross Keys High School
Cross Keys was full of possibility from the moment I arrived—not just for the students, but for me as a teacher. The eagerness of the students, their potential, and their trust inspired me to pour my energy into helping them master Mathematics. I wanted them to see that the subject they feared most could become one they conquered with confidence.
Working with the students taught me discipline, patience, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. Preparing them for CXC and offering extra lessons strengthened my calling as a teacher. Their successes remain some of my greatest rewards.
As the school celebrates 50 years, I hope it continues building strong academic foundations and strengthening collaboration between the school, alumni, and the wider community.
Ian Crawford, ’88
Principal, New Broughton Primary School
Some of my earliest memories at Cross Keys revolve around the moment I was asked to serve as Head Boy—an unexpected honor that changed how I saw myself. That role pushed me to speak up, step forward, and let go of the shyness that once held me back. It was in those years that leadership first made sense to me, not as authority, but as responsibility.
Cross Keys was a disciplined, orderly place, shaped by Principal Walters’ firm but steady hand. The structure we sometimes resisted was exactly what grounded us. Teachers cared deeply and expected our best, and that foundation carried me far beyond the school gates.
As the school turns 50, my hope is that it continues instilling the values that shaped me—discipline, respect, and ambition—and strengthens its bond with the community that has supported it from the beginning.
Dufield Reid, Jr., ’89
Entrepreneur
When I look back on my time at Cross Keys, the word that comes to mind is discipline. It guided everything—how we moved through the corridors, how we behaved in class, and how we learned to carry ourselves. At the time, I did not always appreciate it, but those lessons became the backbone of my adult life.
The habits I formed there—structure, responsibility, accountability—guided both my personal and professional choices. I sometimes wish I had taken even greater advantage of the opportunities in front of me, but Cross Keys gave me a solid foundation and a standard to live by.
As the school commemorates 50 years, my hope is that it continues to uphold the principles that shaped generations before me, helping students understand the power of discipline and excellence.
Faithlynn Boothe-Miller
Head, English Department, Knox College
My time at Cross Keys is filled with memories of warmth, belonging, and the kind of mentorship that stays with you for life. The teachers were not just educators—they were guides who built a safe space for us to grow. The sports program shaped who I became. It taught me discipline, teamwork, and a love for physical education that eventually led to my career.
Cross Keys was a place of focus and aspiration, a school where distractions were few and the sense of community was strong. Programs like the three-week work experience pushed me into unfamiliar spaces, giving me confidence to face the real world.
As Cross Keys celebrates its 50th year, I hope it steps boldly back into its legacy of excellence, especially in sports. I want students to wear their uniforms with pride and to choose Cross Keys as their first option, not their fallback.
Debbie Hutchinson, ’89
Principal, Grove Town Primary School
My memories of Cross Keys are intertwined with a deep sense of pride and purpose. The school had a rhythm of excellence—clear expectations, strong values, and a culture that quietly demanded your best. Those early experiences shaped how I lead today: with discipline, intention, and a belief that success comes from consistency.
Cross Keys taught me that achievement is a team effort—teachers, students, and staff working together. That collaborative spirit helped me embrace opportunity and understand the importance of lifelong learning.
As the school moves into its next 50 years, I hope it expands its programs to meet the needs of today’s learners and becomes an even stronger anchor for the wider community.
Raheem Williams, Community
Development Advocate, US Coast Guard Trainee
One of my clearest memories of Cross Keys is failing a test I had studied hard for and the disappointment I felt. It was a painful moment, but at Cross Keys, we learned early that failure is not final. I just had to try harder the next time, and I did. I learned what resilience meant.
The friendships I formed there became just as important—they shaped my values, my identity, and the way I move through the world today.
Cross Keys instilled in me a commitment to teamwork, honesty, and perseverance. It was truly a second home—a place where I felt supported and encouraged to do better, try harder, and grow deeper.
As the school celebrates its 50th year, I hope it continues cultivating leaders, creatives, and community builders who carry forward the same sense of belonging that shaped me.
Jason Solomon,’10
Teacher, Chemist, Novelist, and Songwriter
My memories of Cross Keys High School include chilly early morning shift classes, hands-on agriculture sessions for CSEC Agriculture, and the excitement of science competitions. These experiences taught me discipline, the value of productivity, and the importance of extracurricular involvement.
The leadership of Principal Joseph left a lasting impression on me. He was never afraid to enforce discipline and maintain high standards. Serving as student council president, prefect, and class monitor taught me responsibility and shaped how I treat others when placed in positions of authority, with respect and fairness. Cross Keys also strengthened my confidence through academics, sports, and extracurricular activities.
Today I serve as a Chemistry and Integrated Science teacher at Norman Manley High School. My academic background includes studies in applied science, natural product chemistry, and education, and my work focuses on science education. I am also a novelist and songwriter, and I have published the book Adventures of Ortu Solis: Whispering Forest.
As Cross Keys High School celebrates 50 years, my hope is that the institution will continue to promote academic excellence, strong athletics, and meaningful student engagement through extracurricular activities that help students discover their strengths and develop confidence.