Meet Excel South’s Graduation Speaker: Andrew Walden

Graduating senior, Andrew Walden (right), was one of four student speakers at Camelot’s graduation in Philadelphia.

Andrew Walden says he doesn’t need all the pomp and circumstance of graduation, but he is walking across the stage with the Class of 2013 for his mom. Andrew officially completed his high school education at Camelot’s Excel Academy South in Philadelphia in January, and is currently attending Akron University in Ohio.

He began his high school career at Central High School, one of the top ranked schools in Philadelphia, but his time there wasn’t as bright. His grades tanked and he was forced out. “I did horrible,” Andrew said. This school (Excel South) gave me a second chance to get my grades up and do what I really wanted to do.”

Andrew poses with principal of Excel South, Stephanie Goshert, after taking a trip down the waterslide during Senior Barbecue Day.

But, he did more than turn his grades around at Excel; Andrew became a leader among his peers.  As an executive in the school’s student government he helped make sure that his classmates acted responsibly. “Rather than have an adult telling you what you should do, you have someone your age who can remind you. It helps people take accountability for themselves,” Andrew explained.

In his first semester in college, Andrew joined numerous student organizations. He said that it’s because of the leadership skills he gained at Camelot that he’s been able to build so much success early in his college career. “If I went to a regular high school, I wouldn’t have gained the leadership skills that I have now.  I wouldn’t be reliable; I’d probably still be a tardy person,” Andrew said. “In student government people relied on me, I had to be here on time and I had to be accountable… if I was in a regular school I wouldn’t have had to do all of that.”

As the keynote speaker at graduation, Andrew had the opportunity to lead his peers one last time. His message to fellow graduates:  “I advise everyone to go to college; going to college was the best decision I ever made in my life. I can see myself going further in life because of it, and I want everyone else to have that opportunity.”