It’s the time of year when high school seniors are moving out to head to college, to start the workforce, and to chase their dreams. For one Estacado High School graduate, his dreams are already becoming a reality. 

Cameron James published his first book of poetry as a junior in high school. He was living on his own, balancing school, work and his writing. 

Last summer, James told EverythingLubbock.com, “I was supposed to be that kid who was in and out of juvie. I’ve seen a lot of kids losing hope, starting to fall into the stereotype, but it’s important for me to go back and give them my story and let them know there is a totally different route.”

Related link: Estacado High School Student Self-Publishes Book of Poetry

Now, Cameron has finished up his second book, titled “Coeur Sur la Manche: The Heart of a Visionary.” James said he was not prepared for how well the first book was received, and he just hopes his next book can touch people’s lives as well.

“But I’ve revised it 40 times. I’m a perfectionist, so every time I say something works, then I see the littlest thing, and I say, ‘Oh, I gotta go back and change this,'” James said. “I wanted to do better and wanted it to be better.” 

This spring, Cameron was honored at a City Council meeting by councilwoman Sheila Patterson Harris, who thanked him for his dedication to his craft and to the local Boys and Girls Club. 

On Saturday, James walked the stage at Estacado High’s graduation, finishing with honors. 

“He always had his head on his shoulders telling me what he wanted to do. He already had it planned, so I was like, he has a bright future coming for him,” James’ brother Michael said. “Watching him do the stuff he’s doing shows me that it is never too late to have a dream.”

AJ McCleod met James through the Boys and Girls Club and now mentors James. He agrees that Cameron is the kind of kid who makes an impact. 

“With Cameron coming from the same situation I came from, from the same part of town, instead of it always being negative, he brings a positive light to those young men,” McCleod said. “He’s somebody that they can look up to because he looks like them. They get to see a face that says, ‘Oh yeah, you can be an author, you can make your dreams come true, you can go to any school you want to.'” 

James will be attending St. John’s University in New York City in the fall. He said continuing his education is only the beginning. He hopes to write a third book of poetry and dive into the film and television industry. 

“I want to make sure I knock out every single thing on my list, so I won’t have too many regrets,” he said.

If you’d like to check out James first book, CLICK HERE. 

Cameron James’ next project, “Coeur Sur la Manche: The Heart of a Visionary,” will be released in July 3.