Even after spending one day at Saint Andrew Technical you should have met him - about 5 ft. 11 ins. tall, dark - some may say, a "handsome" young man with a wide almost permanent grin, advertising a single gold tooth. That is Narval. Oh, sorry! That is, Mr. Narval W. Sherman a member of the canteen staff of STATHS.

He hails from Chapelton, Clarendon, but 'grew up' in Kingston after leaving his place of birth at age 10.

Through the instrumentality of Mrs. James, another long-serving member of our canteen staff, Narval joined the staff of STATHS on September 18, 1967, after leaving Denham Town All Age School.

When I asked Narval what were his responsibilities as a member of the staff he said, "Miss, Everything! Everything!" And that is exactly how it is with Narval. He is very active in almost every sphere of our school family life.

He arrives for work about 6:00 a.m. each day and leaves between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. His workday is broken only by lunch and break or an occasional respite when he pauses to watch a football or cricket match taking place on the school's compound or a quick chat with his co-workers.

I have never had the opportunity of seeing Narval sad. He is forever grinning away and sometimes teasing his female co-workers. One wonders what Narval finds to smile about as he chops away at those cold chunks of meat in preparation for another day's lunch. I asked him what it was that kept him so cheerful and he himself is unable to account for this 'medicine' in his life. His rapport with both the adults and students of the school community is extremely good but he confesses that it was really his work with, and love for the students of STATHS that has kept him going over twenty years. He cannot even recall being really upset with the students.

I mischievously queried about any plans for him to leave STATHS and he sincerely replied that it would be terribly difficult to leave but, he hesitatingly squeezed in, "if a much better opportunity comes with better pay". (Narval we understand.)

I am sure you would want to know if Narval is married so I was "fass" enough to find out. The answer is, 'no'. He says he is not 'ready for dem sort of tings yet'. Despite his not being 'ready', he has two children - a 13 year-old son who attends a High School in Clarendon and a daughter, 10+ years who lives in St. Elizabeth. After such a good start, I am sure the Rector of a certain Parish Church, where Narval insists that he is a member, would be willing to 'tie the knot' for him.

With a 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. workday, one wonders how Narval finds time for recreation and leisure, but he does. He finds time in the evenings and weekends for dominoes, a little cricket, (though he watches most times) and horse racing, (never wins anything of worth but still hopes to).

On six occasions he has had the invaluable privilege of accompanying the school to the PENN relays - three times as the guest of the school and three times at his own expenses. The worth of these trips will serve as sufficient stimulus for him to go again.

Narval, the STATHS family wishes to say thanks for your service and to congratulate you on this your 20th Anniversary at STATHS.

Ps. This article was written in 1987.