Holmwood mourns popular student

Jevan James would have been looking forward to complete his fourth year at the Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester today, but that was not to be as he drowned on Monday afternoon.

Reports from the Corporate Communications Unit are that 18-year-old James, otherwise called Jay, was at the Blue Hole River in the parish with a group of friends at 2:45 p.m.

He got into difficulties while swimming and the police were called. The report further stated that on their arrival, he was seen floating. He was taken from the water and his body moved to the morgue.

Holmwood principal, Hadrian McKulsky, said that yesterday was a sad day for the school.

Guidance counsellors from Holmwood and other schools, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education, helped to calm down the students and staff members.

He said that the school is making accommodations for grade 10 students who were close to James to sit their missed exams tomorrow, as they were scheduled to do them today.

"When I walked the campus, I saw counsellors talking with students while exams were ongoing so I know for a fact that these persons would not have sat their examination," he said.

GOOD DANCER

McKulsky said James was a popular student who would be missed by teachers and students alike.

"He usually participates in extracurricular-activities because he had the skills of dancing, and so he, along with other students, would form their dance group that they would have used to entertain and participate in various activities when they would be held on campus. He was well known by many students; all the staff members know Jevan Jessie James," he said.

He added that in light of this unfortunate event, the school took the time to advise the students to be careful over the summer holidays.

"We had a general assembly this morning (Tuesday) where the leaders of the school addressed the students and spoke with them. We provided further caution and some advice as to how they can traverse the summer holidays without finding themselves in this kind of position," he said.