As an alumnus of the Baltimore School for the Arts I was outraged by Patricia Schultheis' recent commentary on the school ("Who is responsible for Jabril?" May 19).
The School for the Arts not only changed my life but has done so for more than two generations of students.
I came from parents who used drugs and abused me. I came from a failing Baltimore City school system to a place where I was encouraged to learn. The School for the Arts is the only thing that kept me from being on the street.
The teachers reached out to us and basically become our parents. They were a family away from home. I made friendships there that will last a lifetime.
The BSA had kids who had no living situation, yet thanks to its environment they found one. I was a kid who was wild at times, and if it hadn't been for great teachers guiding me, I wouldn't be the young man I am today.
The school has helped me to get into college and pay for it through scholarships even though I wasn't the best student when it came to academics. So if someone has reason to be disappointed at anything, they should be upset over the failed public school system. But don't blame an academic institution where the graduation rate is higher than most of those in the city.
Antonio Hardy
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