Phoenix Academy Students Honored at Pre-Graduation Celebration

This Friday marks graduation day for more than 100 “second-chance” students from Camelot’s Phoenix Academy, Lancaster, PA’s accelerated high school for students who have fallen years behind in their studies. Because Phoenix Academy does not hold its own graduation but instead has its students participate in the larger McCaskey High graduation, Phoenix held a special event on Friday to celebrate the accomplishments of its graduating seniors.

Anyone observing the event would look at these students as they would just about any high school seniors, and that’s exactly what they are but when you consider the obstacles they overcame these students proved far from ordinary.

Jalesha Robertson has two children, ages one and three. She was expelled from school and was sent to Camelot of Buehrle, Lancaster’s transitional school, where she liked the structure. From there, she transferred to Phoenix Academy, where she has continued to raise her children while working full time. During this school year she successfully moved into her own apartment with her two children and boyfriend and been a model student.

Jalesha Robertson, who is raising her two children and plans to become a nurse, shows her certificate for overcoming obstacles.

“The teachers here motivate you to want to do better. They taught me self-control. I’m moving on to college and I plan to become a registered nurse at Johns Hopkins Medical Center,” she said. And oh by the way, after that Jalehsa plans to go to medical school and become a doctor.

Romaira Tavarez-Frias lost her mother to breast cancer in November, yet she continued to come to school every day. Before enrolling at Phoenix Academy, Romaira was falling farther and farther behind. The school, she says, became her family.

Romaira Tavarez-Frias, headed to college for a social work degree, wants to help people.

“I was always skipping class, always skipping school. The teachers here helped me get through when my mother passed. They helped with the after school extra credit program. They supported me through everything,” she said. Romaira became pregnant in the spring semester and through everything she still continued to be dedicated to her school work. Now she plans to go to college to become a social worker, “to help children whose parents have abandoned them.”

Edgar Garcia, like all students at the school, came to Phoenix Academy to make up for lost ground, but he had even more reason to want the structured environment. Edgar had been bullied his entire high school career. His dad died two years ago, his family was evicted from their home and Edgar has been living on his own in a one bedroom apartment.

“I felt like I was a number at my old high school. Here, they know you and they notice when you are missing. I was doing very poorly but got all A’s and B’s this year and was able to earn a year and a half of credit to graduate,” Edgar said.

Edgar Garcia, awarded for best student behavior, has lived on his own since his father died and his family was evicted from their home.

Phoenix’ Executive Director, Mr. Wiltrout, said “Edgar has continued to attend school every day and has been a positive role model for others all year.”

All of the Phoenix graduates have taken full advantage of the opportunity afforded them through the School District of Lancaster’s partnership with Camelot Schools, now finishing its third year.