SALUTE TO OUR SISTER SWAN, KAREN A. SMITH

FIFTY YEARS ago, Karen Angela Smith passed through the gates of St Hugh’s High School (SHHS), 1 Leinster Road, on her way to a future that none of her cohorts, or she, could have imagined, but which all of her peers, and she, knew was her destiny. Singing, for Karen, was what breathing air is to the rest of us.

During our days at St Hugh’s, Karen took every opportunity to serenade us. Once during a chemistry class when our teacher was late, Karen reached for the Bunsen burner as her microphone, went up to the little platform where the teacher’s desk was, and gave an unforgettable rendition of some popular songs at the time. She memorably sang for our quotidian gatherings and our special occasions: morning devotions, assembly, our graduation (Diana Ross’ Theme from Mahogany), at lunchtime (sometimes with a hairbrush as her microphone), in the changing room after PE, on weekend hikes and beach trips. Her repertoire was varied: Skylark’s Wildflower; Miriam Makeba’s Click Song (except she used its Xhosa title, Qongqothwane); Leroy Smart’s Without Love; and, Karen Carpenter’s We’ve Only Just Begun, to name a few. Often, she would substitute the words “something or other”, if she did not know, or forgot, the lyrics while singing. Sometimes she would even choreograph the moves to some of the songs she sang. Not surprisingly, Karen was a member of the St Hugh’s Senior Choir and thoroughly enjoyed lending her rich alto to their performances.

We were all so grateful for her gift that we encouraged her. After winning the JBC Talent Show by singing Speak Softly Love – the theme song for the movie, The Godfather – Karen came to school bubbling with excitement to share her success with us and the news spread to all our teachers, who were also mesmerised by her talent. That memorable day became classes about music and songs.

Karen was one of the fortunate few who pursued a career doing what they truly loved, and she was consistently generous with her voice and her time. During her tenure as a professional entertainer, Karen would continue to serenade, whether in Jamaica or at various gatherings in Toronto, Florida, Atlanta, Washington, DC, and New York, that invariably included St Hugh’s alumnae. On those occasions, if she knew one of her classmates was in the audience, she would dedicate a song to her, or work her name into one of the songs on her playlist. If the space allowed, she would also walk over to hug her while she sang. She performed at our weddings and she showed up to console us in song, at funerals. Karen was a very loving person who had a talent for making others feel extra special, as if, at that moment, you were the only one that mattered.

Karen embodied our school motto,’ Fidelitas’, and we believe she adopted our school leadership’s admonition, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”, as her personal ethos in all aspects of her life. And what a glorious life!

It was our privilege to know Karen. On any given day, crossing paths with her meant that you would experience a lightness of spirit, even if you did not exchange words. It was a rarity to see her frown for long, as she was always smiling. Before she became Jamaica’s songbird, she was our friend and singing sensation. Our dear Swan Sister has left her mark on us and on humanity. We all wish her time on earth was longer, but, in the words of our school song, “Our hearts shall keep the sunshine cast on these glad days we shared.” #singergirlforever

With immense gratitude and love, The SHHS Class of 1976

FIDELITAS