Mrs. Mercedes Ebanks (Miss Ditty) has now retired from active service at the Sandy Bank Primary School where she helped to mold the lives of many young minds of the children of the Treasure Beach community.

The staff and students, therefore, wish to show their appreciation to her for her long and unbroken service. We are, therefore, asking all past students and well wishers to make a contribution in cash or kind towards a function planned in her honour.

Donations can be forwarded to the Principal, Mrs. Norma Moxam at the Sandy Bank Primary School, Calabash Bay P.A., St, Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies by March 18, 2005.

Your contributions will be highly appreciated.

In addition, if anyone would like to leave a message for Miss Ditty here, please do and we will make sure she receives it.

Happy retirement Miss Ditty. Thank you for your encouragement and excellent teaching skills during my last year at Sandy Bank Primary. You were the last teacher I had before leaving and your were the best. God bless and best wishes for the future. Enjoy your retirement because you have worked hard in educating all your students over the years.

Miss Ditty i hope you have a very happy retirement .you were are great teacher thanks for teaching me.

Ms. Ditty I would like to thank you for your contribution to the foundation of my education. You were a very positive influence in my life. I wish you God's speed and a happy retirement.

Also, can Mrs. Moxam please confirm if contributions can be sent to her attention via Remittance Services.

God bless.

Miss Ditty,
You are not only a role model to your students (including me) on whom you have left an indelible mark, but you are truly one of the jewels in our "little" Community.

I hope you enjoy your well-deserved retirement.

Priscilla

Miss Ditty,
I hope you have a happy retirement. Thanks for all that you have done for me, and i just want you to know how much i appreciate it. If it wasn't for you i would not be where i am today. I'm happy that you decided to retire after i leave Sandy Bank Primary because you sure are a kind and loving teacher. I hope you enjoy your retirement because everyone knows you deserves it.

God bless you and your family.

Sophia

Ms. Ditty,

You are one of a kind. People will often talk about a teacher who touched their life in a special way and inspired them. For me that teacher was you. Thanks for being you.

Happy Happy Retirement!

Christine

Happy Retirement, Miss Ditty. Time for you to relax now. Thank you so much for your contribution to my education, but more importantly, for the life lessons you taught me, i'm a better person today because of the way you taught us to live towards each other even outside the classroom. All the best for life, health, and happiness.

Hi Aunt Ditty wishing you all the best on your retirement. You were an excellent teacher, but most of all an extraordinary, loving and devoted aunt. You inspired me from early childhood through adulthood and for that I thank you. You were the best teacher and the greatest aunt at the same time. How many people have the pleasure of having a teacher and an aunt, who is so great?

The lessons you have taught me over the years have been inspiring and beneficial in all my endeavors. Gods richest blessing and all the best on your retirement. With heartfelt love your niece Christine.

Miss Ditty
I wish you a happy retirement
I was one of your student
God Bless
Andrea Ebanks-Davis

I want to put my 2 cents in here...I first met Miss Ditty when I helped set up Sandy Bank's computer lab and she was one of my 'students' to elarn how to use the machines to teach the children. And I've always enjoyed seeing her on my return trips

What a wonderful person you are! Always a smile, always a laugh.

Congratulations on your retirement and good luck with your future.

-Eric

Miss Ditty!

What an inspiration you have been to us all! Your love, support and dedication to Sandy Bank and to Treasure Beach has certainly left an indelible impression on the entire community. And I must say, you always put a HUGE smile on my face every time I see you! Thank you for your warmth and kindness while I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer...

Congratulations on your long, successful career! Enjoy your retirement!

All the best,
~ Miss Amy

Miss Ditty,
You are truly a loving, kind and understanding person and has certainly touched the lives of most if not all of your students. You have been a positive role model and a fantastic teacher.
Wishing you God's blessings and a happy and well-deserved retirememt.

Love always.
Monica Hill-Ogilvie.

Miss Ditty,

Frankly, you were one of the best teachers we've had the great pleasure of knowing. My sister Kathrynn and I will always remember you for the kind, affectionate person you were/are, and for the values you've instilled in us.

The best part, of course, was being friends with Dayne and Dionne (sorry if misspelled) whom we regret not staying in touch with.

We wish you a very happy retirement and it is our hope to visit you when we come to Treasure Beach soon.

Always,
Kirk & Kathrynn Campbell

Miss Ditty,
You were not only one of the best teacher at Sandy Bank school, but you were my favorite. Even though I left before finishing your class my experience as your student was incredible wonderful thank you. Have a great retirement.

Trace Moxam (NY)

If anyone is interested in making a donation for the function to be held in honor of Miss Ditty and would like to send it via remittance services, please contact Mrs. Moxam at 876-404-4952.

Thank you.

The funtion honoring Miss Ditty has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 26.

Please have all donations in by March 15 so we can appropriately plan the event.

Thank you.

Mrs. Mercedes Ebanks (Miss Ditty)was honored in fine fashion on Saturday evening at the Sandy Bank Primary School. What a great retirement party!

The decorations were in place . . .



and the party began.

Mrs. Sheila Hamilton MC'd the affair and anyone who has ever attended a function MC'd by Miss Sheila knows how skillful she is at this. She is always entertaining!



Former students recited a wonderful poem written just for Miss Ditty, which brought tears to her eyes.



Speeches were given by representatives of the PTA, School Board, Jamaica Teacher's Association, and past students.



The guest speaker was Dr. Thompson, principal of Bethlehem Teacher's College, who gave an inspirational talk on what attributes make up a good teacher.



The teachers of Sandy Bank Primary sang a song.



Miss Ditty was presented with a beautifully written citation read by Miss Zane.



Gifts of appreciation were given by many.



And the festivities came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem. With over 100 persons in attendance, the event was a major success. Special thanks must go to Mrs. Moxam, principal of Sandy Bank Primary School, for organizing this whole event. Well done!

Miss Ditty's first students.



Mr. and Mrs. Ebanks



We will miss you Miss Ditty. Thanks for all you have done for us and enjoy your retirement!

Miss Ditty!
I would like to say happy retirement. It's a shame that the younger generation wouldn't get the opportunity to experience the loving and kindness that you show your students like I did.

Enjoy your retirement

Your Student
Shantel Taylor

Wow!!! I was just surfing the different topics you have listed, and almost 2 years later I am reading of Ms. Ditty's retirement celebration! I'm sorry I missed out on this one. Ms. Ditty, "Old teacher" as she was called by me after I moved on from grade 2 to grade 3, and still whenever I see her, was such a delightful teacer. She was beautiful then and from the pictures posted still is beautiful. Ms. Ditty, how can I forget your smiles? As far as I can think back I never saw you with a frown. I know it's been some years since I have last seen you, but you are down in my book as one of my best teachers at Sany Bank Primary. Thanks for being a part of my educational pathway, it's been a solid foundation that I have been able to keep building on. May you now enjoy life to its fullest as you sit back and receive all the blessings from the seeds that you have sewn. Love you Ms. Ditty "Old Teacher" Enjoy!!! As always..