As hundreds of excited graduating students from Camelot Alternative School walked down the stairs at the Kimmel Center, they couldn't help think about the climb that got them to this point in their lives.
"I've been in this program from the beginning," said Eddie Duperoy. "I love it, and I appreciate everything they've done for me."
The graduates were once at risk youth when they entered Camelot, an alternative school that partners with the Philadelphia School District.
Last year, Anabel Marino dropped out of high school to have her son. A few months later, she enrolled in Camelot.
"I've improved my grades. I had perfect attendance, and I got inducted into the National Honor Society," Anabel said.
Anabel and all of the students at Camelot got their second chances, which is why Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick was the perfect man to give the commencement address.
"I've never done this before, I'm not going to lie," said Michael Vick. "I'm more nervous about this than I am for a football game."
Before the ceremony, Vick took some time to meet with a small group of graduates.
Before the pictures and the autographs, he got to hear their stories.
"Sometimes it takes certain things to happen to wake you up, and I totally understand what they've been through," said Vick. But I'm more proud that they were able to come through the adversity."
Camelot Alternative Schools say the majority of the graduates have big plans for the future.
"There are so many thing I want to do, I don't even know where to start," said Eddie.
Michael Vick gave away some surprises of his own. He gave away some $5,000 scholarships to students through his newly formed, Michael Vick "Come Back Student of the Year" Scholarship.
