AUTHOR and communications specialist Stacy-Ann Smith has launched the audiobook of her 2021 memoir Time Does Not Heal with the establishment of an education initiative aimed at providing support for outstanding students at Aberdeen High School in St Elizabeth.

Named in honour of her late father, Smith set up the Carl Williams Prize for Home Economics which will be an annual award for the student at Aberdeen with the highest exam grade in home economics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.

The inaugural award, which was presented at a ceremony at the school on Monday, provides a $100,000 cash prize towards further education.

Noting that her father was a chef by profession, Smith shared that he was not only passionate about education but also believed in community service.

“He spent the last 13 years of his life in Aberdeen, serving the church as a deacon, serving the citizens’ association, the senior citizens’ association, and even the police youth club. At one point when he said he was president of the youth club, I said ‘Daddy, den yuh no too old to be president of the youth club?’ And his response was, ‘Girl, you’re never too old to serve.’ So that was the kind of example we had.

“He was always giving back. He also fervently believed in the pursuit of knowledge and instilled that in all of his children. So, this award is a perfect way to honour his memory and to give back to the community where he found so much joy in the final season of his life,” Smith said.

The author, who is also the chief executive officer of Danrak Productions, presented the award to academic standout Akayla Simpson.

The 17-year-old Aberdeen graduate and 2026 valedictorian plans to pursue further studies at the Mico University College with the goal of becoming a teacher.

“We are extremely proud of what Akayla has been able to accomplish. She has a total of 16 passes at CSEC with additional passes at CAPE and City and Guilds. She was top student in seven subjects, fully earning her place on the Principal’s Honour Roll.

“Akayla is the kind of student that exemplifies what we’re trying to do here at Aberdeen High, which is to create a culture of high achievement, where our students are encouraged to dream boldly, aim high and develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to excel in a globally connected society,” said Aberdeen High School Principal Audley Feare, as she pointed out that the school achieved 100 per cent passes in 12 subjects at CSEC this year.

Corporate sponsor of the award, Wisynco, donated 50 per cent of the prize money, with the other half provided by Danrak Productions.

“When Stacy-Ann approached us to support this initiative, it was an easy decision. The award perfectly aligns with Wisynco’s mission, which is to improve the lives of people, and gives us another opportunity to support education which is always worthwhile.

“From what we hear about the inaugural recipient, we are confident that this is an investment that will deliver phenomenal returns in the future for Akayla and for her family,” said Wisynco Head of Consumer Marketing Erin Mitchell.

The Time Does Not Heal audiobook — which can be found on Caribbean audiobook platform Odiyo — is now available for download via the Odiyo app.

“The book was my way of promoting the deliberate pursuit of emotional and mental well-being having gone through what was one of the darkest seasons of my life. The central message of the book was and still remains the same — time alone does not heal. It’s the actions that you take in time that make you well. I’m hoping that the audiobook will capture a bigger audience, helping more people to change their mindset about mental and emotional well-being,” asserted Smith.