The Vanterpool Brothers and Mrs. Althea Hodge
Teachers, students, officials in the Ministry and Department of Education, and members of the East End community, held a special celebration at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School on Wednesday morning, June 17.
The event was organised to honour and extol the late “phenomenal” Principal, after whom the school is named, by unveiling a portrait and inscription of him along with the motto of the school. Mr. Morris Vanterpool served as Principal of the East End School from April 1959 to February 1976.
Called a dedication ceremony, the event was aptly chaired by Teacher Wreneth Brooks who led the students in a mainly religious presentation before the actual commencement of the programme.
Principal Michael Skellekie, set the tone for the unveiling ceremony. “Some months ago, we decided that, as this school is named after Mr. Vanterpool, we all should give him much more recognition than he is getting,” he said. “For example, a photograph of him must not simply be tucked away on the Principal’s office wall, far removed from the eyes and knowledge of students, teachers, parents and visitors…Hence, we have affixed two large photographs of him on the school walls for all to see. We also stage a short programme annually on the first of June, his birthday, or someday close to that date…Like today, that event will be on our calendar as Morris Vanterpool Dedication Day.”
Tribute was paid to Mr. Vanterpool by Mrs. Sylvene Petty, who taught with him at the school where she later became Principal. She recalled that Mr. Vanterpool “persevered and pushed for excellence in spite of many difficulties, and the East End Primary School, under his leadership, was renowned for excelling in the common entrance examination.”
Mrs. Petty continued: “In fact the East End Primary School was the only school to receive 100% passes in the common entrance exams to The Valley Secondary School. Back then, this school also excelled in sports and singing. As regards singing performances, the East End Primary School was noted for holding the best concerts among the primary schools.”
She also spoke about Mr. Vanterpool’s first love for music that led him to start a community choir as well as a group of serenaders. He also served as a Lay Reader in the three Anglican Churches. “What a phenomenal man!” she exclaimed. Mrs. Petty was grateful to Mr. Vanterpool’s son, Teacher Lennox, for taking his father’s love for music to the highest level.
She continued: “The Mr. Morris Vanterpool, of whom I speak, was short in stature, but he was a giant educator, a giant musician and a giant in the struggle to improve the life of his community in particular and Anguilla in general. He contributed greatly to laying the foundation on which present and future generations of Anguillians can build. It was for this reason, among many others, that this school was named the Morris Vanterpool School on 27th February 1986. It was the first primary school in Anguilla to carry the name of a principal. I was the school’s principal at that time, and felt that it was indeed a fitting tribute to the life of this beloved son of the soil.”
Permanent Secretary, Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, said in part: “I want to start by commending Teacher Michael and all his staff for having this ceremony. I think it is a very fitting tribute to Mr. Vanterpool and it ensures that all our students know quite a bit about the person after whom this school is named. I also want to say to the family who are gathered here that while Mr. Vanterpool is no longer with us, you can be assured that the fact that he is honoured in this way, his legacy continues to live on; and for time to come he is going to impact generations.”
She went on: “To you, the students, he had very high standards and we expect the same from you. We expect that any student who graduates from the Morris Vanterpool Primary School knows about working hard, dedication, excellence and service to the community. He was all of those things. He set high standards; he wanted the school to excel and he gave back to his community. That is exactly what we expect of every student who is in this school now, and every student who is going to be at this school in years to come.”
Mr. Vanterpool’s two sons, Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. Patrick Vanterpool, and Teacher and Musician, Mr. Lennox Vanterpool, represented the family. Lennox said among other things: “We want to say thanks to the organisers and to the students for doing such a wonderful job in recognising and keeping the flame alive, with reference to the contribution that our dad made to education here in East End and, by extension, throughout the whole of Anguilla. We think it is a very fitting activity and we support this 100%.”
He added: “The one thing I want to leave with you – and will go a long way in keeping the legacy alive – is that motto: ‘Never Say Fail’… The best way to continue this legacy, and to honour the memory of Mr. Vanterpool, is to work hard; stay focused; be courteous; and try your best in every situation. And whatever you do, never, ever, say fail.”
Dr. Patrick Vanterpool assisted Teacher Wreneth Brooks in unveiling his father’s portrait, the inscription and the motto of the school.
The closing remarks were delivered by Mrs. Althea Hodge, President of the Parent/Teachers Association. “I think it is important for all of us to recognise and understand the significance that Mr. Vanterpool played in this school in education and the wider community,” she commented. “I hope the information we gathered can be documented somewhere because we all learnt a lot. I feel very proud to be associated with this school.”
