Judge Tony DelCampo of Dunwoody encourages future DeKalb leaders.

For students in DeKalb, there are often opportunities to meet alumni who have gone from DeKalb hallways to the tops of various industries—like law, medicine and education. These brief meetings sometimes shape for students their career choices but more importantly, encourage students to wholeheartedly pursue their goals. This was the case when DeKalb alumnus Judge Tony Delcampo served as a guest speaker at a recent Student Advisory Committee meeting in late October.

A native of Lima, Peru, the DeKalb State Court Judge and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1979. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in DeKalb County School System and is a proud graduate of Chamblee High School.

The odds were against him, however, he told students in reference to his educational experience. He didnt speak the English language well and his family was considered low-income. Nonetheless, with backing from his mother, he was determined to beat those odds. And he did. He later went on to study at Emory University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Latin American Literature. Additionally, Judge DelCampo obtained his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.

On October 28, he challenged the Student Advisory Committee student members to be just as relentless in their pursuit of education.

What is it going to take for you to be successful? My mother always said there are that he who studies—succeeds; she beat that into my brain for as long as I can remember. If you have a good attitude, if you work hard and you stay in school—youre going to be successful—theres no question about that, Judge Delcampo said.

Judge Delcampo shared with students that regretfully, he sees see too many high school dropouts in his courtroom; thus, he urged the student advisors to encourage their peers to stay in school.

If we dont keep kids engaged and in school, I end up seeing them and most often theyre high school dropouts and they believe that theres not a place for them in this great nation that we call America—that it doesnt matter what they do, Aint nobody going to give me a chance. They believe that. I dont believe that, Delcampo told the students. But if you believe that no one will give you a chance, youve let them win—whoever them is because youre self-regulating. What that means is youre not going to reach your God-given potential because youre not even going to try.

At his close, Judge Delcampo offered students seasonal internships with his office if they were in fact interested in law. He also extended students an open invitation to visit him and other DeKalb judges so that they could learn more about the judicial system—an offer in which many in the group seemed to take interest.

DeKalb School Superintendent Crawford Lewis, who was also in attendance, thanked Judge Delcampo for visiting DeKalb and reinforced much of the Judges address.

What will you do to take someone along with you? the Superintendent asked the students. Because thats what leaders do. Leaders dont just take care of themselves; they look out for other too. You guys have more power than you think.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Dunwoody
• Judge Tony DelCampo
• DeKalb

[dunwoodydad]

2:52

good policy to have when trying to bypass standards, rules, ethics and common sense.