Marcus Smith and Darryl Paige made mistakes that landed them behind the razor wire-topped fences of Augusta's Youth Development Campus.
But as they sat wearing their state-issued tan YDC jumpsuits, they described futures much different from their pasts.
Although it didn't happen overnight, each experienced an awakening during their two-year sentences. They began to trust their teachers and the staff at the YDC. They also began to believe in themselves.
In the fall, Mr. Smith and Mr. Paige will attend Paine College on scholarships.
"We will not populate the cellblocks of the Georgia Department of Corrections like the statistics say. Instead, we will populate this nation's colleges and universities, tech schools and trade schools," Mr. Smith, the valedictorian, said during the YDC's recent high school graduation. "Starting now we will take our roles as leaders in our communities. We will create our own destinies."
He had always done well in school and got into little trouble, he said, but he hung out with the wrong people and committed armed robbery, which got him locked up.
It was while he was in the YDC that a family member was murdered, falling victim to gang violence.
"It was a close family member's dying that really woke me up," said Mr. Smith, 18. "Basically, I just saw that I needed to change my path."
Mr. Paige came to the same realization.
The 18-year-old has had three friends killed in gang violence, and two are serving life sentences.
"I just decided while I'm in here I'm going to make the most of my time," Mr. Paige said.
He said he didn't recognize the person he is today and wouldn't have thought he would be graduating from high school, much less be on his way to college.
"It didn't seem realistic. I didn't think I would make it," Mr. Paige said. "I'm the first one on both sides of my family to get accepted to college."
Once he earns his bachelor's degree in education, he hopes to return to the YDC to teach.
"I realized I want to help somebody like they helped me," he said, crediting his teachers with keeping him focused on turning his life around. "Without their support, we wouldn't be here."
Bonita Wallace, their language arts teacher, said she brags on her students all the time.
"It brings tears every time I hear them talk," Mrs. Wallace said. "They've become like sons to us."
Mistakes of the past shouldn't define who they are, math teacher Della Hughes said.
"They made a mistake," she said. "That was just a small setback."
Mr. Smith also wants to use education as an avenue to help others. After Paine, he wants to become a lawyer, saying he wants to use his assertive nature as a positive influence.
Some of those who are incarcerated at the YDC have resigned themselves to living a life behind bars, the two said, but they offered words of encouragement.
"Choose the right path," Mr. Paige said. "Don't give up. You can do anything, if you put your mind to it."
"If you don't have the bad times," Mr. Smith said, "you can't appreciate the good."
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
Graduation speech by Marcus Smith
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to come before you as a graduate of the class of 2008. We all have worked long and hard to reach this accomplishment and we would like share this moment of victory with you all. First and foremost, to the families that are here to support their graduate; we thank you. Your strength and support is the reason we are able to stand on this stage today. Secondly, to our principal Dr. Armistad and all of our teachers, we extend warm thanks. I truly believe that the best educators in the world are right here on this campus. Your hard work and dedication has made the difference in so many lives. Being a student on this campus has not been easy. Also to my wonderful family who is here today; I thank you for all the love and support you give me each and every day. You all are the reason I was able to make it through these tough times. I've gone through so many tests and trials but I can honestly say that I have grown drastically in the two years I have been here. I realized that God allows us to go through things to make us stronger. My first day on campus when I met Dr. Armistad she saw the potential I had inside of me even though I did not see it. She, along with my teachers Mrs. Wallace and Ms. Hughes, has pushed that potential and now I am standing before you today. I speak on behalf of the entire class of 2008 when I say, we are complete with our high school journey, but we will not stop here. We will not populate the cellblocks of the Georgia Department of Corrections like the statistics say. Instead, we will populate the nation's colleges and universities, tech schools and trade schools. Starting now we will take our roles as leaders in our communities. We will create our own destinies. Some of you have stopped dreaming. You see your present situation and believe that this is what life will always be. Some of you have even become complacent with mediocrity. My fellow students, on November 4, 2008 the world witnessed the election of the first African-American President of the United States of America. That is evidence that dreams do come true. So today I dare you all to dream again. Not small dreams, but dream big. There are people who will tell you that you won't make it. When you tell them your dreams they will even laugh at you. These very same people will more than often be the ones you love the most. However, you must first put faith in God and then put faith in yourself to make these dreams a reality. Never let anyone tell you what you cannot be because of your circumstances. In the end, the only person who will stop you from reaching the stars is you. I leave you all with a short poem by my favorite poet, Langston Hughes:
"Keep dreams alive, for when dreams die life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.
Keep dreams alive, for when they go, life is a barren field of frozen snow."
Once again on behalf of the class of 2008, we say thank you and God bless.
Graduation poem
by Darryl Paige
"Letter to a Young Brother"
Dear young brother I heard life wasn't treating you right
Then again I heard you didn't even put up a fight
I can relate to your struggles I understand what you're saying
But it's time to step up you're not a boy you're a man
I grew up without a father too, memories of him very bleak
He took his clothes his wisdom and didn't leave any food to eat
My brother never showed it but I knew it hurt him greatly
Because all I could think about myself is "Why does my father hate me"
I tried to be a good son I've never been in trouble
Grades all A's and B's why he dumped me in the gutter
So I thought "man forget it I can turn to the streets."
Little did I know the streets would turn their back on me
I got caught up, so pretty soon I had to pay for my crimes
I didn't have any money so I had to pay off my debt with my time
2 years to be exact now that's a long time for my age
But it still took me a while to realize I can't waste these precious days
So Dr. Armistad and Mrs. Hughes I practically owe you my life
For keeping me on track and showing me the light
I thought I'd never be anything just another hopeless kid
But the Bible says as a man thinks in his heart then so he is
So in my heart I'm Barack, Mrs. Hughes you helped me believe
Mr. Allen, Mrs. Wallace, Mr. Smith, and I can't forget you Ms. B
My mom, Uncle Ronnie, Shawn, and Lexie I love you baby girl
All the people I just named made a difference in my world
So don't give up young brother you can reach new heights
Take me for example because I'm about to take flight
Well I gotta go young brother thanks for the congratulations
Now, to all these young brother let's stand and rejoice because today is our graduation
State Schools
The Department of Juvenile Justice is considered the state's 181st school system.
Teachers must be fully certified in traditional public schools, and the school system is accredited by the same agency that accredits most schools in Georgia.
In the past five years, 130 students have earned diplomas through the department and 388 have earned GEDs.
Source: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
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