CAMDEN, NJ (KYW Newsradio) — Camden City School District honored 30 high school students Thursday for getting back on track.
“This is one key effort to make sure we’re honoring, acknowledging, highlighting, shining a positive light on those young people who are getting back on track and moving toward graduation, which will help our graduation rate,” said Camden Superintendent Katrina McCombs.
McCombs and Mayor Vic Carstarphen were at the ceremony at Camden High School to honor kids like senior Mahahj Jones. He is one of the district's most-improved students, and he admits he hasn’t always made good decisions. It wasn’t until the death of his father and brother that he realized his life is his responsibility.
“I ain’t even gonna lie to y’all — I was crazy. I didn’t have no self control, my behavior and stuff like that,” Jones said. “It was hard at first ... it was super hard.”
He says he’s more focused on school now and doing the right things, adding that he’s still not a perfect student — but he’s come a long way, and this is just the beginning.
“Now I feel like I’m more focused, my grades is better. They might slip here and there due to the adversities I’m overcoming, but other than that, they are way better than where they was when I first got here.”
He says he’s very proud of himself for making the commitment to be better, to set an example for his baby brother.
“On top of that my dad always wanted me to be successful, be better than him. So it just keeps me going.”
Jones hopes to be an electrician in the next five to 10 years.