Micheal Davis - 2016 Honouree
“Staths Olympian”

Michael Davis born July 21st 1959, is one of the finest sons of St Andrew Technical High School. Ever since he set foot through the gates of STATHS at Bumper Hall in 1975 Michael's life was destined to be transformed. His Journey through St Andrew Technical was coloured by hard-work, careful attention to detail, and his disciplined sharpened by the presence of Stafford Wycliffe Isaac Henry who was principal at the time. Of Course with a principal like ZAK Michael had no choice but to walk a straight line. Michael was outstanding in academics and was one of 24 students to be successful in the then England based City and Guilds Draft Man's Examination. That was the start of greater things to come for Michael.

Outside of the Class room, his love for track and field was nurtured, and his natural talent as a sprinter blossomed, where he would later represent STATHS at the Annual Boys Athletics Championship. He would compete in the 100 and the 200 metres and while he was able to wear the Blue Burgundy and Gold, he was not able to walk away with any medals from his events. However, that would not deter Michael as he continued in Track and Field after leaving STATHS in 1979, and that love and determination for sprinting landed him in the national colours and on the big stage a year later in 1980, when he made the Jamaican team to the Moscow Olympics.

Rubbing shoulders with the likes of another STATHS Olympian Peter Aldridge, as well as having the distinction of being on the Jamaican team with the legendary Merlene Ottey, Rosie Allwood, Lelith Hodges, Bert Cameron, Cyclist David Weller and Donald Quarrie. With a personal best time of 10.19 seconds set in Oslo, Norway……… Michael was blessed enough to be on Jamaica's Olympic men's 4x100 meters relay team with Quarrie, Colin Bradford and Albert Lawrence. Michael's 4x1 relay team ran their hearts out, but missed the final after finishing fourth in their semi-final in 39.71 seconds, and would perhaps made the medal podium had it not been for the injury that Lawrence suffered earlier in the championship.

As a graduate of STATHS, he relishes his experience at the institution, which he said was instrumental in how he operates now as a professional trucker in the United States and Jamaica. His four years at St Andrew Technical gave him a tremendous Technical background, and he owes his entrepreneurial skills to the precious period at STATHS.

In his own words Michael said that he is happy that there is now a Track Meet named in honour of Isaac Henry a fitting honour that Mikey said should have come earlier.

As a graduate of the Spanish Town Road based school also known as the Oasis in the desert Michael has never turned his back on his Alma Mata, standing by STATHS in every shape and form possible…. and today we say thanks. Today we recognize and salute you Michael Davis for your outstanding contribution to the rich tradition of St Andrew Technical.

It is said that service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on earth and in that regard Sir ……This plaque is in honour of your excellence, your diligence and the unselfish service that you have given to Andrew Technical High School, and again we say thank you.

MICHAEL FRAY - 2015 Honouree

“Staths first”

Who attended St. Andrew Technical 1961 - 1965, announced himself as a future global standout when in 1964 as a first year Class 1 sprinter he finished 6th in the 100m at the Boy's Athletic Championship. In 1965 he returned to "Champs" finishing fourth at 100m and then captured the 200m silver medal to cap a fine championship. Fray also captained the Manning Cup team while at Staths.  He completed a year at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (today's UTECH) before continuing his tertiary studies abroad, attending Mesa Community College in Arizona and then the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP).

On the track in 1966 he was a member of the Jamaican silver medal winning 4x100m team at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games held here in Kingston. Earlier that year he was a member of the sprint relay outfit that had mined gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games.  In 1967 he competed at the Pan-American Games in Winnipeg, Canada his first of three representation at this event. Competing at the 1968 Junior College Championships, Fray was a double-individual sprint medalist at the Junior College Championships, then went on to  finish seventh in the Mexico City Olympic Games 200m finals. Still in Mexico, he ran the second leg on the historic Jamaican 4x100m team that equaled the world record in the heats then lowered it in the semifinals before their fourth place final finish. Fray ended the year ranked #10 in the half-lap courtesy of Track & Field News magazine.

Lingering injury issues greeted Fray in 1972 but the “Bumper Hall Buzzsaw”  gained his second Olympic assignment this time to Munich and going half the distance four year on, he finished fifth. Interestingly, in our nation’s rich Olympic sprinting history, he is one of only six Jamaican men to have made the finals in both sprint events!

His final major international representation was at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City.

St. Andrew Technical High School is proud to salute its first Olympian, Michael Fray at the inaugural S.W. Isaac-Henry invitational. Honor, Diligence and Service!

RUTH WILLIAMS-SIMPSON - 2015 Honouree

A “Fray” find!

Attended St. Andrew Technical 1964 – 1968.  The path that would take her from Retreat Primary in St. Mary then to Staths and on to globetrotting status began when Mike Fray, a third year student, innocuously walked into her first from class and asked, “those who are in Holmes House stand” then singled out the “tall, long-legged girl” and said “you look like you can run”. Her Games Mistress Association Girl’s Championship career can be best described as “under the radar” as she had no medals or final placing to show for her efforts this despite her being the top sports woman at the school. It was while at Mico Teacher’s College that her track career really took off. She ran her way on to the 1971 Pan American Games team winning a 4x400m bronze medal then in 1972 she made the first of three Olympic Games team competing in the 400m and 4x400m in Munich. She graduated from Mico and continued her athletic training while doing teaching duties at various junior secondary schools in Kingston. In 1974 she competed in the first of her two Commonwealth Games (1978 being her next Commomwealth foray) finishing fifth at 200m.  In 1976 she won the 200m/400m double at the 1976 Jamaican Olympic Trials and competed in the 400m and 4x400m at the Montreal Olympic Games reaching the semi-final stage in the latter event.

Simpson received a scholarship to Texas Women’s University graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s in Education degree. She also holds a Master’s In Education Leadership from Bank Street College of Education.

Ruth is married to Wallace Simpson and they are the proud parents of two children, Shelly-Ann and Sean. She is by profession a teacher in the New York City Public Schools system. We salute you Ruth Simpson! Honor, Diligence and Service!