Crim’s Jarrell Lofton celebrates graduation

UPDATE: Check out photo gallery of Crim Open Campus and North Atlanta graduation ceremonies.

With some 40 friends and family gathered outside the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center after attending Crim’s graduation ceremonies, Crim Open Campus graduate Jarrell Lofton spoke glowingly of moving forward for college and career in filmmaking. You could sense the relief in his voice; Lofton worked hard throughout his time in Atlanta Public Schools, starting out at D.H. Stanton Elementary and continuing through Kennedy Middle. And now Crim.

“It feels like two big boulders have been lifted off my shoulders,” Lofton said afterward. “All the stress I’ve been through, it was tough. But it was worth it. This is how you get to the next level of your life.”

For Lofton, that means attending Georgia Perimeter College and then the University of Georgia, followed by a career in filmmaking thanks to the inspiration of such blockbuster directors as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and the Hughes brothers — and Spike Lee. “I can’t forget Spike!” he said.

Lofton was especially grateful for his math teacher, Rodney Finkley, who has helped him navigate how to manage his money as he proceeds to college. “He’s been through a lot,” Finkley said. “You wouldn’t know he’s been through anything, because his disposition is so positive.”