Tornadoes Turn Tassels

(Lancaster, Pennsylvania – June 2, 2012)

Students Chris Cruz and Maranllely Mercado from Camelot’s Phoenix Academy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania were among those taking part in the larger McCaskey High School graduation on June 1st. They are quoted in the article below. (Also picture…d in the article are two other Camelot Phoenix students, Laury Colon and Brittany Jimenez.)

Ninety-one percent of Phoenix Academy’s senior class graduated this year, representing a dramatic turnaround for the school since Camelot assumed management. Camelot and the School District of Lancaster have formed a partnership that is giving students who had fallen years behind – and in some cases dropped out – a second chance at success. And these students are taking full advantage. Congratulations to all the Phoenix Academy grads!

By JORDAN DUNCAN

Staff Writer

Meteorologists warned of tornadoes in Lancaster Friday night, and their predictions came true as 501 McCaskey Tornadoes graduated in a packed room at Lancaster County Convention Center.

J.P. McCaskey Principal Dwight Nolt began the 78th commencement, advising the graduating class: “it’s the choices you make, not chance, that will determine your destiny.”

Student speaker Trevor Hall commented on unity, cooperation and pride. “Our pride, no matter what the situation,” he said, “makes our school the best around.”

Another theme was diversity.

“Together we can,” student speaker Ken Guo said. “A person’s power is limited, but peoples’ power is unlimited.”

Guo said he worked tirelessly to overcome the language barrier after moving to Lancaster from China. He had the option to move to New York City, where he could have lived an easier life in a Chinese neighborhood.

Guo said he was proud of his choice to learn in Lancaster and thrive among a diverse group of peers.

“Today is better than yesterday,” he said, “and tomorrow will be better than today.”

Guo was followed by senior Alexander Gawn, who sang “Good Riddance” by Green Day. Classmates provided the instrumentals.

His performance rocked the crowd, and one person shouted, “American Idol 2012!”

Senior speaker Dominique Miller-Shell said inner city students aren’t expected to succeed because they lack the necessary resources. He said that students must “use the resources of our minds to manifest our dreams,” because “with hard work and dedication dreams can become reality.”

Senior soloist Johana Reynoso performed “Hero” by Mariah Carey and received a standing ovation.

McCaskey campus principals Bill Jiminez and Dwight Nolt presented the prestigious Hall of Honor Award to William Broaddus for his outstanding athletic and academic achievements and community involvement. Broaddus will enroll in Penn State Honors College in the fall and study music education.

Jiminez saluted the faculty for passing knowledge along to the students. “One generation plants the tree,” he said, “the next generation enjoys the shade.”

Superintendent Pedro Rivera, speaking before the diplomas were awarded, said McCaskey students share a unique environment. He said their perseverance, despite the adversity, sets “far above any other graduating class in this county, in this state and in this country.”

The applause rang out until the last name was called to receive a diploma, and then the crowd applauded even louder.

Afterwards students were “ecstatic, excited and elated.”

Graduate Romar Peralta-Torres said, “Sometimes you have to do it the hard way, but you make it happen.”

“If I can do it, you can, too!” Romar’s friend and fellow graduate, Ivan Sawyer, shouted.

“YOGO! You Only Graduate Once,” friend and graduate Tito Ramos Jr. said.

All of the graduates were enjoying their newfound freedom.

Maranllely Mercado is the proud mother of a one-year-old baby, and she said she was sad to say goodbye all of her friends. “But it’s the start of a new journey,” she said. “I start at HACC in August for a two-year ultrasound tech degree.”

Graduate Christopher Cruz attributed his success to hard work and dedication. “There were lots of people pushing me to graduate,” he said, “and my family was there to support me.”

Ashley Padilla said she was “close to not graduating because of my senior project.” But she made it. “I learned from my mistakes to become a better person,” she said.

Eduardo Nóbrega, who lives in Patos, Brazil, and he graduated at McCaskey as a foreign exchange student, said the experience was “surreal.”

“To get to live the experience of an American high school like McCaskey is … the best year of your life. But it’s not just one year of your life,” he said, ” It’s a whole life in one year.”

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/660653_501-Tornadoes-turn-tassels.html#ixzz1wqS62Xfx