School pride is still at all time high at Temple Christian HighSchool following their historic third-place finish at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) Track and Field Championships. The achievement is a remarkable one that reflects positively on the school and its athletics program.

According to Mr. Perry R. Cunningham, the high school's principal, "Finishing third inthe BAISS championships is no small feat, and it is something that should becelebrated and recognized by the entire school community. This accomplishment isa testament to the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes, coaches, andstaff who have worked tirelessly to prepare and compete at the highest level."

“Our High School's achievement sets a new standard of excellence for future athleticteams to strive for. It demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and commitment,anything is possible. The school community is proud of the student-athletes, coaches,and staff who have brought honor to the institution.”

Reflecting on the journey to this point, he said, ” The team faced several challengesleading up to the BAISS track and field championships, including Covid-19, injuries,lack of equipment and staff, limited financial support, and balancing academic workwith athletic training. However, they were able to overcome these obstacles throughhard work, dedication, and the support of their coaches, parents, staff, andcommunity.”

Looking to the future, the principal added, “To maintain and build on this success,the school's athletics program has several goals, including identifying new talents,improving facilities, implementing a physical conditioning program, invitingaccomplished athletes to motivate student-athletes, implementing a mentorshipprogram, participating in more competitions, increasing athletic scholarship awards,and gaining more parental support.”

Coach Kenya Culmer is the Head of Physical Education and Head of the Track & FieldProgram at Temple Christian High School. She has been with the school for six yearsand has a background in track and field as a former athlete. She attended TempleChristian Elementary and was introduced to high jump by Coach Demeritte.

After high school, she was awarded a full track scholarship at Southern IllinoisUniversity, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. In 2012,Culmer made history as the first Bahamian woman to jump over 6 feet, becoming thenational high jump record holder. She originally came to Temple Christian to help outon a short term basis, but six years later, she is still with the school, making asignificant impact on its athletics program.

Coach Culmer credits the team's success to a rigorous six-month training programthat focused on endurance, strength, and technical aspects of each event. "Ourstudents and coaches sacrificed much time into the preparation for the B.A.I.S.S.competition. We took the time to test each athlete and identify their strengths, whichallowed us to put them into events where they could excel. The athletes themselvesdeserve much of the credit for their consistency and dedication, leaving everythingon the track and field in each event."

She added, "The athletes handled the pressure exceptionally well, with not oneexpressing fear of competing against larger, more dominant schools. We taught themhow to be confident and most importantly to believe that they can do all thingsthrough Christ who strengthens them.”

Coach Culmer leads a team alongside Coach Marvin Darville and Coach KevinArmbrister. An experienced coach, Armbrister was instrumental in the developmentof C.H Reeves’ track and field program for over twenty years, a high school who weredominant school in the government school track and field sector for many years.Marvin Darville has been Head Coach of the SunBlazers track and field club fornineteen years, specializing in the sprints and hurdling events. Culmer credited thisexperience in this area as strong factor to the Suns success in the hurdles events atthe BAISS event.

She continued, “As a team, we were able to achieve this success through strongcollaboration between the coaches and athletes. In addition, we were fortunate tohave the support of dedicated parents and volunteer coaches, all of whom workedtogether to make this achievement possible. As we always say, 'teamwork makes thedreamwork.'"

Principal Cunningham added, “By recognizing and celebrating these achievements,we can inspire and motivate future generations of athletes to strive for greatness andcontinue to build a strong athletics program at Temple Christian High School.

This historic achievement shows that with the right resources, support, and guidance,even a relatively small student population can achieve great things. It is a reminderthat hard work, dedication, and teamwork are the keys to success, and that anythingis possible when we set our minds to it.”

Cunningham concluded, ”This achievement is a testament to our school'scommitment to excellence and the development of well-rounded students. Thisaccomplishment is not only a victory for the athletics program but for the entire schoolcommunity, and it should serve as inspiration for all students to strive for greatness inall aspects of their lives.“

Photos
• Mr. Perry R. Cunningham, Temple Christian High School Principal
• Group Photo L-R are TCS Coaching Team Marvin Darville; Kenya Culmer;Kevin Armbrister.
• Coach Kenya Culmer, Head of Physical Education and Head of the Track &Field Program at Temple Christian High School