ST CATHERINE: The roadway from Main Street in Ewarton, through the community’s town centre, to Ewarton High School was illuminated with candles after nightfall yesterday in honour of educator Karlene Reid-Leon, who passed away at age 52.
Leon, a teacher of English Language at the her alma mater for 19 years, passed away on January 24 at Kingston Public Hospital due to natural causes.
The death found resonance among many, including members of the school community, who were strongly represented at the candlelight vigil.
Alicia Brown and her brother Daniel Brown were among students at the event where an estimated 100 people planted candles along the roadway from the late teacher’s Main Street residence to the high school.
Daniel, a tenth grader, commenting on the late Leon, said: “She was an excellent teacher and I consider her as a friend. We weren’t always on the right foot, but we always got back to the right foot after classes.”
His sister chimed in: “I would describe Ms Leon as generous; she was also very courteous. There are times when students are down, you could go to her; that is the thing I love most about Ms Leon. She is always nice. She helped a lot of bad students turn into good ones.”
Archibald McLean, who was among Ewarton High teachers in attendance, told The Beacon: “Ms Leon was a jovial and straightforward person – generally speaking. She took pride in the way she attired.”
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Here are some of the moments captured during the candlelight vigil:
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