Dundee Hewitt recieving award from JTA president Sadie Comrie

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Former Secretary General, Eric Downie , Retired Regional Officers, Dundee Donald Hewitt and Ewart Smythe, were honoured by the JTA at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. These three distinguished educators served for many years and excelled in their respective fields.

In a beautifully decorated ballroom with blue and white balloons and flowers representing the colours of the JTA , the ambience was truly depicting the excellence associated with these gentlemen . The function was attended by teachers from all the JTA Regions, representatives of the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture and many friends and well wishers of the honourees.

Guest speaker at the function, Senator Noel Monteith, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture gave a chronology of events which occurred during his various stints with each of these gentlemen. These anecdotes led to outbursts of laughter. "These three men are very good examples of what responsible lives should be," he concluded.

"Educator, Historian, Secretary General, President and Deacon, Community Activist", Mr. Eric Downie is all of these and much more. He was hailed for his long and distinguished career as an educator at several institutions including Mico Teachers College from 1965-1991. He was promoted to Vice Principal and retired in that position. He was educated at Mico Teachers College and the University of the West Indies where he received the Bachelors and Masters Degree in History.

After his sojourn at Mico Teachers College he was employed to the JTA Housing Co-operative as Deputy General Manager in 1993, a position he held for one year. He joined the staff of the JTA in 1994 as Secretary General. He held the position with dignity and pride. Under his leadership the office operations were computerized, staff members were trained to use the technology and the JTA computer Laboratory was established. He received numerous awards including the JTA/Berger Roll of Honour Award and the Mico Old Students' Association Millennium Award.

Downie was described as a community activist who participated in many activities including service to the church.

Ewart Gladstone Smythe hails from Carey Park, Duncans, Trelawny. He is a graduate of Mico Teachers College , the University of Montreal, Canada, with a B.A. Degree (History) and earned two Masters from McGill and the University of the West Indies respectively.

Smythe, a former parish President in Trelawny, was recognized for his significant contribution to the establishment of the Caribbean Examinations Council(CXC). He was chief examiner for history from the inception of the Caribbean Examinations Council(CXC). After retiring he was appointed the first Regional Officer for the North Eastern Region of the JTA which comprises the parishes of Portland, St. Mary and St. Ann.

He too was regarded as a Community activist and is very active in the church.

"An activist, outstanding past president twice, Regional Officer extraordinaire, a life dedicated to quality service is the remarkable Dundee Donald Hewitt (O.D.)" He is a graduate of Mico Teachers College, the University of the West Indies, Mona and London University. He has a B.A. Degree in Economics, History and Sociology. He retired from the teaching profession in 1989 and joined the staff of the JTA as the first Regional Officer for the South Central Region. He held the position with distinction . His tenure at the South Central Region was "characterized by the highest professional standards. He approached his task with seriousness and commanded the respect of the teachers in the region and was admired by his colleagues throughout Jamaica. He was organized, informed and totally committed to duty. A smiling face often masked the tough and determined core that makes the man."

He has received numerous awards including the JTA Roll of Honour Award . He is a community activist and is also very active in his church.