Once an Ace -- you're always an Ace, according to Aquinas College Principal, Shona Knowles -- who encourages all alumni of the institution to reconnect with the school as they gear up to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
"Our anniversary theme 'Ever the Flame of Faith' is indicative of the burning flame of faith which all Aquinas College (AC) alumni carry in their hearts and which continues to bind them to Aquinas College," said Knowles.
The principal says the upcoming celebration provides the perfect opportunity for alumni to reconnect to their school, former classmates and former teachers.
"Once an Ace, always an Ace. We invite alumni, former staff and teachers from all eras to join us as we celebrate this historic milestone," she said.
A number of events are planned to bookmark the milestone in the life of the historic and influential institution.
AC is a Roman Catholic School; therefore all of its teachings are in accordance with the spiritual and moral standards of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the philosophy of the school that all students should be concerned with their spiritual, mental, physical, social and educational growth. At the school they say it is paramount that they instill Christian principles and values in their students that would enable them to take their rightful places in Bahamian society and the world.
The kickoff event is scheduled for January 2017.
The official 60th anniversary logo was designed by 12th grade student Zahna Fisher; it was chosen because its depiction of the theme was simple yet strongly identifiable. Fisher won the competition that was open to all AC students. Her logo features the colors and key elements of the school's visual identity, including the torch and the spade. The torch has been a part of the school's history since 1957. The school's yearbook, which was established in 1970, was called The Torch. The final line in the first verse of the school's alma mater reads: "Proving words with Christian actions bearing on the Torch of Truth."
Aquinas College boasts a rich history and for years has made significant contributions to the community. At the invitation of Bishop Paul Leonard Hagarty, OSB, five Dominican Sisters, of Adrian, Michigan arrived in Nassau in December 1956 to begin preparations for a teacher training school. Aquinas College opened January 1957 in the old Hibiscus Inn on Montrose Avenue. In 1958, in addition to teacher training, the Sisters began giving evening classes in English, mathematics and business. Students took Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Royal Society of Arts (RSA) examinations, and those who were successful were among the first black Bahamians to assume positions of employment on Bay Street.
In an interview upon her return to the United States Sister Kevin, one of the five Dominican Sisters who established Aquinas College, was asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she responded, "I guess helping the first black Bahamians gain entrance into the business world."
The importance of Aquinas College to the history of the country and its legacy of providing quality education to individuals regardless of race, color or religion was described by the late Sir Etienne Dupuch: "Bishop Leonard was aware of the need of a school to train secretaries capable of filling responsible posts in banks and other places which had been closed to colored people."
Today Aquinas, located on Gladstone Road, offers a diverse curriculum that consists of academic, business, vocational, and technical courses. Numerous artistic, cultural, athletic and extracurricular activities are available to the approximate 500 students -- 95 percent Bahamians and five percent non-Bahamians. All students are prepared to take national exams -- BJC and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) and international exams -- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and SAT II, Advanced Placement (AP) and Pitman.
Remaining on the cutting edge of technology, the campus is fully Wi-Fi, and all parents are assigned a password to access Power School, the Catholic Board of Education's online grading portal.
Aquinas also has a strong arts tradition. Andrew Curry, the first Bahamian principal of the school, put Aquinas on the map as a musical center. Aquinas performances of "The Sound of Music", "The King and I", and "My Fair Lady" are remembered fondly by many; today, the famous Aquinas College Marching Band and bi-annual school productions continue the tradition of arts and excellence that defines Aquinas College.
Alumni can sign up to receive updates about Aquinas College's 60th Anniversary events at http://cboe.cec.edu.bs/alumni/reconnect/. Alumni are also invited to share a old pictures they may have as well as their experiences at Aquinas College by emailing aquinas60@cec.edu.bs.
"We invite alumni, former staff and teachers from all eras to join us as we celebrate this historic milestone," said Knowles.

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