Camden graduation for students who came back

By his freshman year at Camden High School, Shaun Edmonds knew he was heading in the wrong direction, skipping school and flunking.

His future seemed bleak after he was retained that year. He dropped out, frustrated with his failing grades.

But Edmonds eventually landed in Camelot Excel Academy, a program that offers a second chance for older students who have dropped out or fallen behind.

He was among the nearly 40 students Friday who earned their diplomas at a special midyear graduation ceremony. He was also named most improved student.

"I feel like the hard work paid off. I chose to put in the work and make school my first priority," said Edmonds, 18, who hopes to attend college to study law and justice.

About 100 people attended the graduation and a luncheon at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in the Cramer Hill section. It was pegged as a success story stemming from a partnership between the Camden School District and Camelot Education.

As "Pomp and Circumstance" came through the sound system, the students received a certificate for completing the program. They will get their diplomas at graduation ceremonies at Woodrow Wilson and Camden High Schools in June.

A mother of six, Tonya Harris, 41, said it was "a very proud mother day." Her youngest, Da'Kwon, 19, who had contemplated dropping out after falling behind, graduated.

"I thought he might get discouraged," Harris said. "I'm glad he didn't give up. This program was a lifesaver."

Camelot operates the program inside the city's two traditional high schools, Camden High and Woodrow Wilson. It also operates similar programs in Philadelphia, Chester Upland, Trenton, and Lancaster schools.

The state took over the failing Camden district in 2013 because of poor student performance. Over the years, thousands of students have left traditional schools in the city to attend charter schools.

"These kids shouldn't be here graduating," Jake Garrity, regional director for Camelot Education, said of the students at Friday's ceremony. "They either dropped out or aged out. We give them a chance to graduate."

Camden has one of the worst graduation rates in New Jersey. In 2014, 62 percent of the senior class graduated on time, while the dropout rate was 17 percent.

Edmonds said such sobering statistics motivated him to finish school, especially as the last of seven siblings to graduate.

"I watched friends pass away, drop out, have kids, or give up," Edmonds said. "I didn't want to be listed as a statistic. It's a two-way street for young black men in Camden: death or jail. I didn't want to be like that."

Under the Camelot program, at-risk students are enrolled in an accelerated program that allows them to make up lost time by attending a longer school day. They receive intensive instruction and plenty of support from teachers and staff employed by the school district.

"The teachers are always working with you," said Jose Bones, 18. "You have motivation all around you."

Bones said he dropped out of Camden County Technical Schools' Pennsauken campus two years ago, midway through his sophomore year, mainly due to disciplinary problems and "a lot of drama."

After sitting at home for the remainder of the year, Bones signed up for the Camelot program. He plans to enroll in trade school next month and undergo training to become a mechanic.

"I'm going to jump right into it so I can get a head start," Bones said.

Motivational speaker Keith Isam Smith, who served 38 years in prison in Pennsylvania, encouraged the students to make good choices. He was 19 when he was sentenced to life for his role in a fatal robbery in 1974.

Smith, 60, was released in March 2011 after Gov. Ed Rendell commuted his sentence. He now works to help troubled youths.

"I was just a lookout in that case," said Smith, of North Philadelphia. "I was a follower, but it cost me 38 years in prison. I never want you to end up doing what I did."

mburney@phillynews.com 856-779-3814 @mlburney