CAMDEN — In the fall of 2015, a small group of residential students formed the class of 2016 at Camden’s campus of the Wayfinder School, a program for 16 to 20 year olds who struggle to learn in a traditional setting. Among them were a directionless youth from an inner city; an individual with an angry, hardened heart; a youth with low self esteem; and a young woman from Africa who spoke four languages, but only four words of English.

On May 27, all six students received their high school diplomas, proving wrong the odds stacked against them. 

Residential director Joseph Hufnagel listed some of the naysayer comments he’s heard since 2008. “You’re going to actually ask students to cook for each other? They’re all going to starve....Do you really think teenagers are going to want to sit in a circle together and talk about their problems?....That kid’s never done homework a day in her life....How are you going to find somebody to take this kid on for an apprenticeship?....What, are you crazy? You want to take these kids to New York City for a week?....You actually think these teenagers are going to want to volunteer their time to help others?....You’re going to trust them to do that?”  And so on.

From this year’s class, Hufnagel has heard the following:  “I can’t do this....I can’t read very well....I can’t speak in front of people....I don’t do cities....I don’t do hikes....I’m not doing my chores....You expect too much from me....Fine, give me a zero....And now you want me to jump into a freezing cold ocean?”

They can, and they did.

“I’m just really happy right now. Really happy,” graduate Marissa Lugo said.

Lugo, from Lewiston, arrived intending to hide in the shadows. She has since developed her voice through writing and teaching students at Coastal Children’s Museum. She awaits acceptance from area community colleges.

Laronta Marzell Black came from Detroit, Mich., with dreams but not a lot of hope for the future. He has since volunteered with Tanglewood, Dream Digital in Rockland, Camden Public Library and Habitat for Humanity. Now he is on his way to Massachusetts to further develop his training with Job Corps of Grafton, Mass.

Jenny Staples, also from Lewiston, said simply, “I’m so proud of myself.”

Staples arrived with ambitious goals, but needed guidance to support those goals. She excelled academically while volunteering at Pen Bay Medical Center. In the fall, she will enter Central Maine Community College.

Brian Johnson came from Stockton Springs without much experience interacting with other teens. In the past nine months he’s developed strong bonds with his classmates and teachers. He’s made friends wherever he goes, and has developed recognition as a computer coder. His future goals include Job Corps in New Hampshire.

Deborah Bisabu made the trek from Angola, Africa. She studied extra hard every day to achieve this, her second high school diploma. The one earned in Angola never came to her. Now she too is on her way to Central Maine Community College with an interest in nursing.

Justin Wordell came from Lisbon, enthusiastic toward the subject of organic farming. What he lacked were the reminders, discipline and follow through needed to complete his tasks. He plans to explore possible endeavors in music, environment and mechanics. 

Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com.