Ardenne Optima 5K Launched to Fund Jamaica’s First High School Wellness Centre
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Earlier this week, the Ardenne Alumni Foundation, led by chairperson Flo Darby, proudly launched the second annual Optima 5K event on the grounds of Ardenne High School. As the paramount fundraising initiative for the foundation, the 5K run is instrumental in realizing their visionary project: Jamaica’s first-ever high school wellness center.
Scheduled for Saturday, November 16, at 6:30 am, the race will commence at Ardenne Road, weaving through some of Kingston’s iconic routes. Participants can expect a journey that will not only challenge their physical prowess but also contribute significantly to the welfare of Ardenne High’s student body, which exceeds 2,000 members.
Darby detailed the transformative potential of the planned wellness center, highlighting its comprehensive approach to health. "We are planning to build a wellness centre for Ardenne High School. A wellness centre for all kinds of physical health, (and) emotional health. We plan to have a space for a nurse where she would meet with students, teachers and so on as well as rooms for our guidance counsellors, part-time psychiatrist, psychologist and social worker," she explained. Set against a backdrop of increasing awareness about mental and physical well-being, this facility promises to be a groundbreaking endeavor for Jamaican schools.
The proposed $64 million center, which is expected to be operational in time for the school’s centenary celebrations in 2027, signifies a monumental leap toward enhancing the school environment. It aims to provide a sanctuary for students, equipped with a full-time nurse, guidance counselors, and mental health support staff including part-time psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers.
Renowned race manager Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis from Running Events Jamaica Limited has committed his team’s expertise to ensure a successful event. "We will try our best to execute and give persons the runner support that they need… this is a great initiative where this school is concerned and can be exemplary for all other schools to follow," stated Francis, underscoring the event’s potential to inspire similar initiatives across Jamaica.
The race route promises an engaging experience, beginning on Ardenne Road, traversing Trafalgar Park, Trafalgar Road, Lady Musgrave Road, and eventually returning to the school. Registration is available via runningeventsja.com, costing $2,000 for adults and $1,500 for students.
Terrence Ram, the head boy of Ardenne, emphasized the pressing need for the wellness center. "The Guidance Department here, the facilities they need to be expanded… The Ardenne Wellness Centre will give students a space, a safe place for them to relax, enjoy, interact with both guidance counsellors, share their opinions, develop personally," he articulated.
The launch saw enthusiastic participation from dignitaries including the school’s principal, Jacqueline Pinto, and Dr. Winston De La Haye, president of the Ardenne Alumni Association. The Ministry of Health and Wellness also lent its support through Takese Foga, director of health promotion and education.
Esteemed Ardenne alumni and Olympians, Brandon Simpson and Maurice Smith, graced the event with their presence and pledged to rally support from the athletic community. Their involvement further emphasizes the event’s significance and the wide-reaching network invested in fostering a healthier generation of students.
This ambitious project, propelled by the success of the Optima 5K, stands as a hallmark of Ardenne High School’s commitment to student wellness and a beacon for educational institutions nationwide.
