The recognition of 17 members of staff, who have worked at Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) for more than 10 years, was the highlight of the school's recent annual Founder's Day Service.As it celebrated the past, school Principal Stacey Bobo told the students that they have much to look forward to in the future, including the expansion of the secondary school, the implementation of the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program, a new website and learning management system, and in May, the graduation of their ninth senior class."Perhaps more importantly, we look forward to watching you, the students of LCIS continue to grow along with our school," said Bobo.She told the students that their teachers are responsible for educating, supporting, guiding and nurturing them, and that they in turn will become leaders of the next generation.Bobo thanked the LCIS staff for their hand in shaping the students. She told them that they met challenges with grace, embodied a positive spirit, helped the school achieve its goal and maintain its status as a premier educational institution.The staff honored included Dala Smith, who served as an instructional aide and library aide. Smith, the longest-serving employee of the school joined the school in 1989.Colleen Kemp was the only other 20-plus year recipient. She worked there for 24 years.Other honorees included Sharon Capron and Carole John (19 years), Monalisa Stuart (18 years), Wendy Pugh, Isadora Blyden, Tracey Farquharson, Stephanie Rolle and Craig Massey (17 years), Rose Taylor (15 years), Kym Scavella, Denize Markham, Kenya Colebrook, Lynden Taylor and Bathsheba Fernander (13 years) and Markso Almerus (11 years)."If Mr. [Edward Plunket] Taylor were here today, I think he would be extremely proud of how far our school has come and be delighted that our traditions have been firmly established in the hearts and minds of us all," said Bobo.LCIS was founded by Taylor in 1962 for children of employees and nearby residents in his property venture on the western side of New Providence. The initial enrollment was just nine students and two teachers. By 1981, the number of teachers matched the initial number of students, nine, and by then there were 147 students enrolled. The school undertook one of its biggest developments in 1993-1994 when it opened up the Early Learning Center, followed by an expansion to the elementary school. Between the years 1994-1997, the school increased its student body from 100 to over 200; the grade levels went from nursery to grade nine, and the staff number expanded from 16 to 30.Today LCIS's staff complement is 44 full-time teachers, 34 support staff and 345 students enrolled from Early Learning Center to twelfth grade. It received International School accreditation in 1998 and work was completed on the new secondary school building in 2003."Within our multi-cultural and multi-national environment, we endeavor to create an atmosphere in which curiosity and openness are the norm. Our commitment to excellence, projected through E.P. Taylor's vision, continues to evolve, ensuring that our students are provided the opportunities and resources to become life-long learners and internationally minded citizens," said Bobo.

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