While the students and teachers were thrilled to host him, Dennehy insisted that he probably got more out of the day trip.
"Every time I come here, I go home more inspired," he said. "They have the youth, they have the energy . . . and they are extremely talented."
It was Dennehy's fourth visit to Camden. He came this year as part of a wider fund-raising effort spearheaded by Msgr. Michael Mannion, director of community relations for the Diocese of Camden.
The actor made several stops, including at the South Camden Theatre Co., and ended the day at St. Vincent Pallotti Church in Haddonfield.
The Creative Arts show was a fund-raiser for the school's Choir Boosters - the award-winning concert choir will be traveling to Prague, Czech Republic, to perform in late March - and jazz band.
The Haddonfield fund-raiser was to aid Discovery House, a retreat for special-needs families being built by Westmont-based Discovery Ministries, in which Mannion also is involved.
Though Dennehy was the star of the day, he had another TV star by his side - U.S. Marshal Lenny DePaul, who commands the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Force, including offices in Camden, Atlantic City, Newark, and Trenton, and is a protagonist on A&E's reality television show Manhunters.
DePaul had introduced Dennehy to Mannion a few years ago when the Center for Family Services in Camden started a mentoring program. DePaul thought it would be cool to bring his friend to speak to the kids.
Early Tuesday morning, DePaul picked up Dennehy and the pair drove down to Camden.
The last time Dennehy was in town, a year ago, he visited the former Creative Arts School, which was so decrepit it shut down last summer and merged with the brand new Morgan Village Middle School.
