Freedom writers movie online8/7/2023 “When you support Cumberland County Schools, you make stories like mine possible,” he said. I am here representing more than 50,000 students and only 6,000 employees in our school system.”Īlthough Scott endured many challenges throughout his young life, he said he was able to prosper as an adult, thanks to very hard work, the support of a community of people, including teachers, administrators, and other loving adults. “We all have something in common - we care. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Connelly said. “But I share that with you, to impress upon you - that when you see me, you're reminded of what is possible when the community comes together and partners with school districts to create environments that are conducive to the flourishing of students.”Ĭumberland County Schools strives to encourage lifelong learning, Superintendent Marvin Connelly said during he’s closing remarks. “And I’ve broken so many cycles.”Īt the end of his speech, Scott encouraged community members to remember his story as they continue to support the school system for the well-being of students. And the husband I’ve never seen in my own family,” Scott said. “I’ve become the father I’ve never had, but always wanted. Now, as an adult, Scott is married with three children, has completed graduate school, and is an education consultant, an educator and an author. “Because of this community of people, I became the first person in my family to graduate from high school.” “The community came together to help us succeed,” Scott said. He said he was lucky enough to have teachers who recognized that he and his classmates required social, emotional and material assistance that the teachers could not meet by themselves. As a result, he said, the teachers reached out to leaders, businesses and other community members for help. Local news: Cumberland budget comes under scrutiny by local activists, school board at public hearing “When I lost Alex, I lost hope because I was convinced that if he couldn’t make it out of our neighborhood - he was smarter than me, he worked harder than me, he was better than me - then I ain’t going to make it.”Īfter hitting his lowest point, Scott said he finally received the help he needed. “My best friend Alex was killed on his way to see me,” Scott said. “And in that sense of the word, in most of my schools, I was very poor.” “Poverty is not just the lack of money, but poverty is the lack of access to the kinds of people who can help you,” Scott said. Scott said he grew up in what he called the projects with his biological father in prison. As a child, he witnessed his crack-addicted stepfather slam his mother’s head through a glass window, seriously injuring her. Scott opened up the event by singing Mahalia Jackson's “If I Could Help Somebody.” He told his life story as a reminder to educators and community partners that because of people like them, children like him can succeed against all odds.
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