mchen@heraldsun.com; 419-6636
DURHAM — The students of Camelot Academy could’ve given the actors in “Glee” a run for their money with their enthusiastic performance of Madonna’s “Vogue” on Saturday.
Mimicking the pop icon’s dance moves, and with models of popular fashion standing on stage, the students used the performance to honor one of their own, a graduating senior who is leaving Camelot for college.
The school’s graduation ceremony was held at Carolina Theatre and combined skits, songs and performances by students and teachers that recognized each of the five seniors’ unique contributions to the school.
For Amanda Stevens, who was praised for her artistic abilities and her volunteer work with kids, the school’s kindergarteners put on Dr. Seuss hats and sang, “We do not like green eggs and ham. But we do like Amanda, oh yes ma’am.”
In return, Stevens thanked each of the kindergarteners in her speech and thanked the school’s teachers and her parents. “You brought back the arts I love and helped me,” Stevens said. “I will miss all of you very much.”
For Molly Williams, who overcame shyness to help organize school events, students sang “The Rainbow Connection.”
Williams described her journey from shyness to finding friends at the school and becoming involved in school activities and clubs.
Tearing up, she thanked her parents, “Mom, thank you for always being there for me. I’m beginning to realize how much you sacrifice for me every day.”
For Michael Berro, the class valedictorian and an athletic student who teachers recognized for exemplifying the values of teamwork at the school, the students performed a skit based on “Survivor” and performed a cheer for him.
“Many institutions can push you academically, but it’s the institutions that make you a more complete person that are special,” Berro said.
For Viola Samadi, who grew up in Amsterdam and moved to the U.S. four years ago and whom teachers described as a fashionista, the students put on the show of Vogue in a skit involving “American Idol.”
“This school has been a home away from home,” Samadi said, calling Camelot Academy a precious place.
For Jung Yoo, who enrolled in Camelot with his brother after moving from to the U.S. from South Korea, the students and teachers made a light-hearted video skit based on “Avatar.”
In his speech, Yoo described his life as a roller coaster.
“When my brother and I moved here, we didn’t know that life would become an uphill climb,” he said, and thanked teachers for their help and support.
Camelot, founded in 1982 by Thelma DeCarlo-Glynn, who continues to be director at the school, is a private school located at 809 Proctor St. The school has 100 students from kindergarten to 12th grade and uses a mastery-based approach to learning.
The graduating seniors are heading to Davidson College, UNC Wilmington, Drew University and Meredith College.
