By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

If SUNY Broome’s 2024/2025 academic year had an official soundtrack, Janileisy Cartagena Lugo ‘25 would undoubtedly be the main featured artist. Cartagena Lugo has unofficially served as the student (singing) voice of the campus, lending her vocal talents to many College events, most notably, the Inauguration Ceremony for SUNY Broome’s 8th President, Dr. Tony D. Hawkins. While living and studying in the Southern Tier were never part of Cartagena Lugo’s initial plan, her gracious and grounded approach to life results in her ability to find the blessing in every moment. 

Cartagena Lugo was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The youngest child in a family of musicians, she first fell in love with music as a little girl, singing in her church’s choir. While her life in Puerto Rico was filled with seasons of immense joy, there also were periods of great sorrow. In 2017, Hurricane Maria ravaged the entire island, impacting every component of day-to-day life. Then, in 2019, during a family outing to the movies, a tree — likely weakened by the hurricane — beside the road finally snapped, directly striking her family’s vehicle. After a week of medical interventions, Cartagena Lugo’s brother, Aramis, succumbed to his traumatic brain injury. The family was utterly devastated. 

Unsure of how to proceed, Cartagena Lugo’s aunt, Norma Lugo Siso, suggested that the family leave Puerto Rico and regroup with her support in Apalachin, NY. While her parents deeply appreciated the offer, Cartagena Lugo and her sister were hesitant to leave their home.

“My sister and I didn’t speak English,” Cartagena Lugo explained. “I was a high honors student in Puerto Rico, and now I would be moving to a school where I couldn’t speak the language, let alone perform academically. But our parents knew what was best, and we moved as a family to the Southern Tier.”

While being a student at Vestal High School was initially daunting, it did come with some perks. Unlike in Puerto Rico, where music and art classes are only available via private study, Vestal’s robust music department offered Cartagena Lugo the chance to hone her skills as a vocalist during the school day. 

The combination of supportive friends, excellent teachers, and the temporary, pandemic-induced hiatus of Regents exams made Cartagena Lugo’s New York high school experience far better than anticipated. She entered her senior year contemplating a few, very different academic and career paths ranging from social work, to law, and even veterinary science. Sensing another life precipice, “Aunt Norma” was once again on hand to offer her encouragement and guidance.

Aunt Norma, then a member of SUNY Broome’s Housing team, encouraged her niece to explore her options locally at the College. She also urged Cartagena Lugo to consider pursuing her passion for music academically at SUNY Broome and ultimately professionally as a performer, music educator, or music therapist.  

Janileisy Cartagena Lugo performing the National Anthem at President Hawkins’ Inauguration. Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

Heeding her advice, Cartagena Lugo enrolled in the Fall of 2023 as a Music: A.S. student. She immediately felt at home within the music program, balancing theory, and ear training classes with singing with the College Choir and Chamber Singers. Her strong, distinctive voice was quickly noticed by Associate Professor Brenda Dawe, Chairperson of Music and Theater Arts, who had been tasked to train a student vocalist to perform the national anthem at President Hawkins’ Inauguration Ceremony.

“I was in total shock when Professor Dawe asked me to perform at the Inauguration,” Cartagena Lugo beamed. “I re-emailed her to make sure that it was real. I felt so honored to be chosen to sing at such a special moment in SUNY Broome’s history.” 

As they prepared for the performance, Cartagena Lugo confided to Professor Dawe that The Star-Spangled Banner is rarely sung in her native Puerto Rico. She admitted that she was unfamiliar with both the music and the lyrics. 

“The national anthem is a very hard but very beautiful song to sing,” Cartagena Lugo explained. “At first, I was just singing the words, not understanding the meaning behind the lyrics. But then, Professor Dawe explained that the song tells a story about American bravery and freedom. She encouraged me to close my eyes and picture the scene unfold while I sang. That’s when it clicked.”

Those who attended President Hawkins’ Inauguration know what happened next. Cartagena Lugo confidently opened the ceremony with her powerful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, prompting chills and cheers from an audience of hundreds. 

But what only a select few knew then, was that on the morning of the inauguration, Cartagena Lugo awoke with no voice! Panicked, she texted Professor Brenda Dawe at sunrise for guidance. With the help of a steamy shower, warm tea, a last-minute key change, and an unbelievable amount of prayer, Cartagena Lugo gave the performance of a lifetime. 

Since the inauguration, Cartagena Lugo has been invited to perform the national anthem for several community events, including SUNY Broome’s Veterans Day Ceremony and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon, an event that draws more than 500 community members. Every invitation to share her singing voice reaffirms her decision to follow her passion for music. 

Cartagena Lugo is set to graduate in the Spring of 2025. She is currently exploring her transfer options in search of a campus with a strong music department within a few-hour radius of her loved ones. Until then, she will continue to “be her best at Broome.” 

Are you looking to follow your passion for music at SUNY Broome? Learn more about SUNY Broome’s Department of Music and Theater Arts.

Janileisy warms up with Professor Brenda Dawe.
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

 

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