GoodHeart | ICHS track hosting soirée to support programme, hurricane relief
Published:Saturday | November 29, 2025 | 12:06 AM
The Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) Track and Field Team, known proudly as the Wolves, are trading spikes for all-white as they gear up for Soirée en Blanc on December 6. The stylish 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. event, to be held on the compound, aims to raise funds to support the school’s track programme for the season while also contributing part of the proceeds to two primary schools hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.
Franz Forde, the track and field team’s head coach and technical director, spoke to GoodHeart on Friday from the school’s St Andrew campus as they prepared to head to Hanover today for relief efforts. He said that as the team prepares for the season ahead, it was important for the girls to also play their part. “We’ve been in the [parish of St Elizabeth] already, and we actually saw what [the hurricane] has done and how the kids really don’t have it, and we wanted to share the love,” said Forde, adding that this giveback is an extension of work already being done by the Wolves and the school.
Patrons attending Soirée en Blanc can expect a curated experience with performances from talented students, Coppeshot’s Marc Chin, Craig Ross, Swatch International Sound, and violinist Jheanelle ‘Yinga’ Owens. Food is included, prepared by PeppaThyme, and the dress code is casually elegant with a white theme.
The ICHS track team, their families, and alumni have rallied to make the event a success, spreading the word and buying tickets to support the young ladies. Principal Stacy Reynolds has also offered her full support.
Currently, the track team consists of 94 girls and, according to Forde, is the “biggest that we’ve ever had”. The needs of the programme range from nutrition to equipment. “As we know, track and field is very expensive, so everything does add up,” he added.
Beyond the event, the Wolves have several fundraising initiatives planned for the school year. They do monthly Bad Dawg sales and sell slushies and popcorn to their schoolmates. There is also the sales of the ICHS Wolves Jibbitz for Crocs and 1IMMAC water, one of their jubilant catchphrases emblazoned on bottled libations. “We have the 1MMAC water, one of a kind, and it is bottled by Purewater, who is also a major supporter of this programme and also for Immaculate Conception High in itself,” said Forde. Events such as the Immaculate Conception school fairs, where the Wolves have a booth, are often a hit – literally – with patrons having the opportunity to sink the coaches in the dunk tank.
All these efforts, coupled with consistent training, are responsible for the team’s consistent showing at meets and the annual Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The ICHS track team, which placed fifth at the 2025 Girls’ Champs with 100 points, is preparing to build on their performance earlier this year. “The girls are in training. They are working hard,” said Forde.
Those wishing to support the event may purchase tickets or make pledges to the ICHS bursar. Tickets are $8,500 presold and $10,000 at the gate. A pledge is $150,000. The sponsors of Soirée en Blanc are PeppaThyme, TRK Party Rental, Purewater, ATL, CB Chicken, Damian Electrical (Party Events & House Wiring), Event Planit and The Wright Attractions.