Tragic schoolgirl's GCSE success

Aug 24 2007 By Patrice John, Birmingham Mail

FRIENDS of a Birmingham schoolgirl who died just days before collecting her GCSE results have celebrated her success.

Solitaire Smith, 16, from Handsworth, was due to join her pals to pick up her results yesterday but died in her sleep on August 10.

The former Holyhead School pupil passed all ten of her GCSEs, which included five at A* to C grade.

She was a prefect at the school and also volunteered for the First Class Youth Network and Young Voices with Positive Action.

Members of the Network praised Solitaire's success at a memorial talent show held to mark her life yesterday.

CEO of the Network Nathan Dennis said: "We decided we had to do something for her as a way of saying thank you for all her support when she was here.

"Members of the community heard about this event and felt they wanted to get behind it.

"She was well liked at Holyhead School and a prefect. I'm sure she would have done well in her exams."

Pauline Wright, from Young Voices with Positive Action, also praised Solitaire and said: "She made decisions for the young people in her care and for young people in the area. She was a lovely, beautiful girl and she really was our angel. She will be sadly missed."

The event at the Law, Leisure and Learning Centre, in Handsworth, was organised by the Network as a way of celebrating Solitaire's life.

Artists, including the Devious Ladies, took part and Solitaire used to sing with the group.

The teenager also attracted praise from the head teacher of her school Martin Bayliss who said: "She was a lovely young woman who would have gone on to achieve success at college. Her death is a terrible loss to her family and the school.

"She was a credit to the school, her family and the community at large."