GreekChat.com Forums - What's The Purpose of A Second Chance

This is a bit lenghty, but I thought I should share it. When I heard about this on the local news, I asked myself what is the purpose of a second chance if people are not willing to give you one?

A matter of integrity
Date: May 28, 2002

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A matter of integrity Luann Laubscher Star Staff Writer SHELBY — In less than a year, Curtis Preudhomme has gone from prison to president of student government at Shelby High School. At age 13 he was charged with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon. A few weeks ago, the student body at Shelby High School elected the 17-year-old convicted felon president of the student government for the upcoming school year. It’s a position that will require him to set an example for other students, be a leader and represent the school. While some parents and students at Shelby High question the wisdom of Preudhomme being in a leadership role, Shelby High Principal Dr. Bill Anderson supports him. Anderson said it is his role as an educator to “give hope to” and “lift up” students like Preudhomme. Anderson said he had not seen anything about Preudhomme’s character since meeting him in August that should have disqualified him from running for student government president. Shelby City Schools spokesman David Grose said about a “dozen or so” parents had approached him recently at school events asking about the guidelines for student government officers. “The guidelines call for a student of good character who is maintaining good grades,” Grose said. “We did a thorough investigation of Preudhomme. We decided that he deserved the chance to run for president of the student council.” Grose said that all the nominees were “checked out.” So how did Preudhomme rise from prison to student government president in less than a year? Preudhomme credits his faith, and the support of role models like Anderson for his second chance. And to those who question his integrity, Preudhomme says, “You know, when I was 13 I committed a terrible crime. I made a big mistake. I paid my debt to society. That was the old me. “Now I want a chance to prove that I am a different person.” Preudhomme serves time In March 1999, Preudhomme was arrested along with Nakoma Hillman, Anthony Allison and Victor Wade for robbing Chen’s restaurant on Feb. 23, 1999, and March 2, 1999. He was charged with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon. According to court records, during the February robbery Preudhomme pointed a gun at Sunil Basnet, an employee of Chen’s, and took $470 from her. They took $550 from Chen’s during the March robbery. Michael Cheng, owner of Chen’s, declined to comment on Preudhomme. Cheng has children in the Shelby City School system including one at Shelby High School. Due to the seriousness of the crime, Preudhomme was treated as an adult in the court system, according to District Attorney Bill Young. Because Cheng could not positively identify Preudhomme as the gunman in the robberies, he was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of common law robbery, Young said. Preudhomme had no prior record and was given 60 months of intensive probation. During intensive probation Preudhomme had a curfew. He had to be at home between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day. He had to be seen at his home by a surveillance officer three times a week, and seen by an intensive case officer a minimum of twice a week. According to court records, Preudhomme violated his curfew in July 9, 2000, when he was not at home at 7:20 p.m., and he was caught using marijuana. He went to prison in September 2000 for violating probation, according to court records. He served nine months at the Western Youth Institute in Morganton. After his release from prison in June 2001, he decided to go back to school. WINNING THE ELECTION Shelby High students Alex Pearson, Jada Bratton and Peter Guzewich ran against Preudhomme for student government president. Pearson is a top academic student at Shelby High having scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT. Miss Bratton and Guzewich are outstanding students and athletes, according to Anderson. Guzewich said that when he heard Preudhomme’s campaign speech to the student body he knew that Preudhomme would win the election. “It was like a sermon,” Guzewich said. “Nobody thought he would win until he gave his speech.” Guzewich said at the time of the election he was not aware of Preudhomme’s criminal background and doubted that many other students were aware of it. “He did not mention it in his speech, and his campaign manager did not say anything about it,” Guzewich said. “I did not even know him before this.” Guzewich said he would like to see how many votes each candidate got. Anderson would not release the vote tallies from the election but did say that there was “no need for a runoff” between the four candidates. Shelby High teacher David Allen taught Preudhomme sophomore English literature this past year. He said Preudhomme came to back to class a little late after the campaign speeches the day of the election. “When he came into class most of the students clapped for him,” Allen said. “In his speech he challenged the students to allow him to be the best he can be and help Shelby High School be the best it can be. It was a very emotional speech.” Allen said he has “no problem” with Preudhomme representing Shelby High School. “Kids are going to mess up,” Allen said. “We give them a second chance to redeem themselves.” Allen said Preudhomme had been a model student. “He is a positive influence in class,” Allen said. “At a time when many students are apathetic and don’t participate, Curtis would participate in class.” Allen said Preudhomme was a B student. GOING BACK TO SCHOOL This has been Preudhomme’s first year at Shelby High School. Shortly after he was released from prison on June 7, 2001, Preudhomme and his mother went to see Anderson. Preudhomme wanted to enroll in school, even though he didn’t have to. He had served his time, according to court records and was not on probation. “I wanted to get an education,” Preudhomme said. “My education is very important to me.” He started attending Shelby High in August of last year. Slightly behind in course credits, Preudhomme started out as a sophomore. According to Anderson, Preudhomme worked hard, staying after school most days to make up a few classes so he would be a senior next year. Preudhomme carries six classes a semester, and is on the college track. He is known as a “good student,” according to Anderson. He is involved in the drama department and helps out in the guidance office at school. He also takes part in the Impact Program, mentoring other young black students. Preudhomme said he is “honored” that the students at Shelby High chose him to lead the student body next year. He said it has not been “a joke.” “I want to be a good role model,” he said. “The students have really been happy for me. I know that being a positive role model is something I want to do.” WANTING TO DO RIGHT The Rev. Denorris Byers said Preudhomme started attending his church, Washington Missionary Church in Waco, about a year ago. “He came to me about a year ago and said, ‘I want to do right but I don’t have anybody to follow,’” the Rev. Byers said. “He never really said anything about his past. It is amazing how this child has turned around.” Preudhomme is choir director at the church and leads the Men’s Praise Group. “He is gifted and talented,” the Rev. Byers said. “He’s very attentive. I don’t know much about his past but I believe that God sent him to us. One day he will be a minister.” The Rev. Byers said he took Preudhomme “under his wing.” “He has a glow about him,” the Rev. Byers said. “God is using this young man. Can you imagine how many young men Curtis will have the chance to witness to?” Preudhomme said his success over the past year has been due to his religious beliefs. “The Lord Jesus Christ has helped me do this,” Preudhomme said. “It has been him working through me. He has changed me.” Preudhomme said he wants to go to college and plans on “preaching the word.” “I’ll go wherever the Lord leads me,” he said.