Jayshenel remembered as a model student

Paul Adams, the principal at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, yesterday remembered Jayshenel Gordon as a quiet yet very involved student, who was making her mark at the school through sports and student leadership.

"She was a quiet student but involved. She was involved in netball and she was one of the class leaders," said Adams.

Gordon, 16, and her 45-year-old mother, Deon Smith, a service station supervisor, were murdered at about 2:15 a.m., on Sunday morning at their home in Rosemount, St. James. The act was allegedly carried out by Smith's common-law husband, Fabian Lyewsang, who subsequently committed suicide by driving a car into the Rio Cobre, in St Catherine.

FOCUSED STUDENT

Denzil Dixon, the guidance counsellor for the upper school at Herbert Morrison, described Gordon as a calm, polite, and well organised student, who was focused and committed.

"She was somewhat of a model student, based on her overall behaviour both in and out of class," said Dixon. "The students who were close to her have taken it quite hard and as you can see, there is much grieving at this time. Thankfully, we are getting professional help."

Tears flowed at the school yesterday as the school family, inclusive of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Past Student Association (PSA), and friends of the school, came together to mourn her untimely passing.

When the WESTERN STAR visited the school yesterday, there were very few dry eyes on the compound.

"We have quite a number of persons assisting us with counselling sessions and other support," said Adams. "We have the Ministry of Education Guidance Unit, we have a lot of past students, some of whom are in the pastoral field. We have a lot of parents and other people who always support Herbert Morrison. We are not short on public support and we are very, very happy for that."