Panama City -- Unlike most of Bay County’s other high schools, Rosenwald High provides challenged students with a second chance. Thursday, school officials shared one of their success stories in hopes it can motivate its current students to achieve.

“He is the example of what Rosenwald can be for you, if that is what you decide” said Anita Dillard, Rosenwald High School Principal.

As principal, Anita Dillard summons the attention of over a hundred teenage boys, their prized speaker, Dondrayas Harris, a junior at Rutherford, prepared to share his story of how Rosenwald help turn his life around.

“I was just like these kids right here. I don’t want to see them end up somewhere, when they can be right next to me, or doing things higher than me” said Dondrayas Harris, Rutherford High School junior.

Dondrayas Harris fell behind his twin brother in the first grade. After years of struggle, he decided it was time to get a grip on his education. That is when Principal Dillard got the call.

“Miss Dillard is like an angel for me and especially for him” said Donald Harris, Father of Dondrayas.

Under the watchful eye of his father, Dondrayas moved to Bay County and entered Rosenwald High School. The school provides a second chance for students struggling academically. They can make-up lost ground in Rosenwald’s ‘credit recovery program’, the same program that allowed Dondrayas to earn enough credits to springboard him from eight grade to tenth grade within a year.

“He is the student that we always want, one that can come to Rosenwald and can go back to the high school or either stays here at Rosenwald and graduate” said Dillard.

Rosenwald administrators hope the message of Harris, gets through to its 350 students that they too can leave the classrooms they frequent daily and have a bright future.

“I came here and now I have straight A’s and a 3.9 grade point average. Rosenwald’s got me back on the right track” said Robert Stavos, Rosenwald High School Freshman.

The right track that Harris and other students like Stavos, is on is what Rosenwald hopes will guide many more students to new heights.

“I was told this my freshmen year at Rosenwald, if the sky is the limit, then why are there footprints on the moon?” said Dondrayas Harris.

Dondrayas says he plans to take the SAT on Saturday in preparation for college where he aspires to study forensics and criminology.