The Robert E. Burton Adult Education Adult School at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center held a commencement ceremony for the 2024 graduating class.
Recognizing their accomplishments, the education program honored 135 residents. The graduates represented various educational and vocational programs such as: Peer Mentorship Literacy Program, Vocational plumbing, G.E.D, and Colleges.
Family members arrived at the Protestant Chapel at 9: am, as soon as the families were seated the graduates entered and took their prospective seats. The attendees stood on their feet giving cheers and applause.
The San Quentin color guard presented the California and United States Flags in honor of the service men and women, including today’s graduates.
Hosting the event was H. Lucas, an educator at SQ that oversees the H.S. Diploma and GED department. She welcomed all the family members, including SQ’s administration, and Principle Michael Wheeless, and Vice Principal Dr. Jamie Worthington.
“You are the reason why we are here today, you put in the work,” said Lucas. “I want to congratulate you for your efforts.”
She called Computer Related Technology graduate Eliazar Guerra to speak on behalf of the 45 CRT Core grads.
“My fellow grads put in the hard work and commitment we celebrate today,” Guerra said. “Our purpose, our blessing.”
He thanked his mom for standing by him, in the times of his struggles. Guerra added, “Mom, if I thanked you for all the things you taught me, before I would finish I would have been paroled.”
Dale Moore, a CRT grad, said that it took him 8 months to complete the program. He said, “it was his first time graduating anything. I am happy that I learned a skill that I can use right now,” said Moore.
Educator D. Searle, including Wheeless and Dr. Worthington presented certificates to the CRT graduates.
Next Vocational Plumbing class graduate Raymond Rivera represented his classmates in words of wisdom and encouragement.
“The goals accomplished, we are on our way out to our loved ones,” said Rivera. “I made a lot of bad choices in my life, joining the Plumbing class was the best one.”
He told the attendees if you know someone who is struggling, and you teach them, you have saved them.
The Robert E. Burton School presented 11 new plumbers at SQ with a vocational certificate.
The next group to be recognized was the PLMP mentorship group, which was instructed by A. Sufi, incarcerated student Logan Roberts spoke on behalf of the class.
(As a mentor), “students continue to inspire me, we have compassion and empathy that build long lasting friendships,” said Roberts.
Roberts says that he speaks for all the graduating mentors when he says, “Ms. Sufi is an awesome teacher.”
There were 11 new youth offender leaders crowned today.
The next group to be honored was the High School and GED class of the adult R E. Burton School.
Arnold Vizcarra told graduates and attendees of today’s events that he gives “Glory to God,” for his accomplishments.
He says that he worked hard to be as smart as his sister, which he called his best friend. Vizcarra added that she always helped him with topics he did not understand.
He showed appreciation for his wife and her role in the toughest of times; he referred to her as his soul mate.
The acknowledgement of eight High School Diplomas, and 25 GED recipients, set the tone in the room with smiles of happiness.
“It feels really good, I didn’t recognize that it was my first time graduating from anything!” “I never put on a cap and gown until today,” said Julian Costilla, a High School graduate. “It’s good energy.”
The final recognition was for 30 SQ residents collegiate accomplishments. Incarcerated person Jay Kim represented the grads. He received a B.A. Degree in Interdisciplinary Science from Adams State University.
He told a heartfelt story about how gang members at Wasco State Prison told him “God can’t help you. He is not real.”
Kim told the audience, he became depressed, and terrified thinking his life was over. He said that he asked for a transfer to SQRC.
He told his fellow grads, “When I look at you with caps and gowns on, I do not see menaces to society,” said Kim. “I see future leaders, business owners, healthcare workers, and non-profit organization advocates.”
Larry Deminter received an A.A. Degree in Sociology from Feather River College.
He says, “It’s my first time in a cap and gown, but not my first graduation. The gown made a big difference,” said Deminter. “My mother came all the way from Canada to see my accomplishment.”
The commencement came to an end; the host thanked everyone for their contributions. The graduates walked out of the chapel savoring this day, being greeted by family with hugs and admiration.
Musician B.B. King once said that, “the beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.
Jambri Johnson Sr., Journalism Guild Writer, contributed to this article
