Owen 'Blakka' Ellis ... I know that the honour is extra special because it puts me in a circle with esteemed alumni like Louise Bennett-Coverley, Leonie Forbes, Carl Bradshaw and Courtney Walsh. - File

Thirty-two years ago, when he was graduating from Excelsior High School, the legend under Owen 'Blakka' Ellis' name was: "Active president of the drama club, his aim at being a comedian may be achieved with less corny jokes. Ambition: Lawyer. Destiny: Minister of Jokes and National Humour."

Ellis, who officially retired from stand-up comedy this year, may just be leader of a merry party in opposition to sadness in the family enterprise, Ellis International. On October 10, the Excelsior Alumni Association will honour Ellis as one of four outstanding graduates at its 40th anniversary Dinner, Dance and Awards Gala in New York, USA.

The other persons who will be honoured are Dr Marcia Livingston, Neville Myton and Dr Maureen Samms-Vaughan.

In an email interview, The Gleaner asked Ellis if he considered himself outstanding while he was attending Excelsior. "Many saw me as an outstanding nuisance ... and I almost believed them," Ellis said. "Actually, I was an outstanding creator of parodies, poems and teasing lyrics. I also wrote the Manning Cup and Girls Champs cheers".

Myton is a former Olympian whereas Livingston and Samms-Vaughan are outstanding academics The Gleaner asked if his inclusion is a validation for the arts. Ellis said, "undoubtedly. For me it is a very significant validation.

"I alluded in my last 'box' (weekly STAR column), to the idea that Marley and Miss Lou are the most recurrent names when we look at adding to our roster of national heroes. XLCR has always made it clear that the arts play a vital role in shaping identity and fostering growth".

Respectable subject

The Mountain View Avenue school has been the foundation of Ellis' achievements in drama "in every way. The school had two drama sheds. Drama was a respectable subject on the curriculum and at one time we had three drama teachers.

Every year we had inter-house contests in performing arts. I was house captain and president of the drama club and I entered every performing arts contest, even doing a creative dance duet to the song Sharing the Night Together with Bev Waite (now Bev Adams at Digicel). And I entered singing too! I sang in the negro spiritual solo contest, doing Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and tried to soften the lisp".

The attempt did not quite work, as for the next term Ellis was teased that it sounded more like 'Wing low Weet Chariot'. Cleveland Browne (from music-producing duo Steely - who was buried last Saturday - and Clevie) eventually won with Let My People Go.

The Excelsior experience helped Ellis immensely as he went on to the next level of drama. He said "I got into School of Drama without actually doing the audition because I had just won the 'Best Actor' award at school's Drama Festival and received strong recommendations from Charles Hyatt, who was the chief judge for the event, as well as from my then drama teacher, Michael Everett (another XLCR alumnus). When I went to School of Drama, I quickly realised that the foundation I received in high school from teachers like Belinda Durity, Honor Ford-Smith, Michael Everett and Paul Issa gave me an edge over many other students. I found myself doing stuff I'd already explored in high school."

Excelsior alumni

Ellis has not forgotten Excelsior, providing the alumni chapters with his entertainment services, assisting in fund-raising and talking with current students on visits to the school. Having relocated to Canada, Ellis has also spearheaded the revival of Excelsior's Toronto alumni chapter, which was inactive for more than 10 years.

Still, when Ellis was notified that he was being honoured "at first I was speechless. Me? Did they make a mistake? In a moment of self-doubt, my dear brother Ian had to sit me down and list my achievements, remind me of all the young actors and comedians I've taught and mentored, itemise my contributions and recount my professional history to convince me that I actually deserved the honour!"

Having been convinced, Ellis goes to the gala at the Ramanda Plaza, JFK, New York, on the anniversary of his uncle Alton Ellis' death. He said that gives the occasion "solemn significance". In addition, Ellis said "I also know that the honour is extra special because it puts me in a circle with esteemed alumni like Louise Bennett-Coverley, Leonie Forbes, Carl Bradshaw and Courtney Walsh. So apart from being very grateful for the honour, I am inspired and motivated to ensure that I live up to all that it means. These are the thoughts that will likely influence what I say on the night."