NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – A would be graduate is being remembered.
Kaiema Kennedy was participating in a rehabilitation program when she was shot and killed in front of her home.
Thursday loved ones received her honorary certificate. WGNO News Reporter Darian Trotter has reaction from family members.
“My state of mind has changed. I will no longer be pimped, no long be addicted to the lifestyle,” an anonymous graduate said.
We are concealing the identity of the men and woman graduating from an alternative program to incarceration.
Kaiema Kennedy would have been one of them, but her rehabilitation was cut short in August, when loved ones say she was used as a human shield during a shooting near her 7th ward home.
The 26-year old was remembered Thursday by fellow graduates.
“The pain of her wounds never showed. Kaiema was hidden, beautiful and bold.”
Sheriff Marlin Guzman spoke during the ceremony Kaiema’s loved ones attended to receive her honorary certificate.
“Because she couldn’t be there, we wanted to be there for her,” Kaiema’s brother Steven Kennedy said.
Graduates of The New Orleans Day Reporting Center have undergone education, employment, substance abuse, counseling and anger management classes.
“As young people we all make mistakes in our life, but she was working on the rekindle and kind of plant a new seed in her life in order to kind of get over the mistakes she made in her life,” Kennedy said.
“I saw a strong black woman on her way to success, to take care of her family that’s what she knew best,” the graduating speaker said.
Steven says the ceremony will forever serve as a reminder of his sister’s devotion to being her best.
This certificate will be given to his other sister.
“My sister was the one was there when my sister was telling her “don’t let her die.” so, I wanted her to have it just so she can have something to always hold.”
The speaker ended with, “I love you, we all do and until we meet again, beautiful.”
18-individuals graduated Thursday.
It marked the 18th graduation since the program began in 2009.
[viralzone=”viral-block”]