Henry Wallace is by nature a quiet and unassuming kind of guy. In a crowded room Wallace would be difficult for just about anyone to pick out. And, at 66 years of age, that’s just about the way that Wallace prefers things. Kind of slow and easy.
But Wallace is hoping that just for one very special morning next month, maybe he’ll be able to shed the low profile that he generally prefers. Because on that morning, June 18, Wallace will be taking the stage at San Quentin’s Garden Chapel to receive recognition for achieving a milestone. He’ll be receiving his General Education Development (GED) certificate during the annual Education Department graduation ceremonies.
Wallace is hoping that his achievement can be a catalyst for young inmates entering the system who are ready for change in their lives. He’s hoping that with his accomplishment many of these younger guys will realize that they, too, can achieve such a milestone in their lives. “And everybody,” says Wallace, “can use education. It keeps your mind refreshed.” So he’s hoping that, at least for that one special day in June, folks might just take note of what he’s up to.
For this smiling soon-to-be graduate, the GED certificate marks a successful completion to some unfinished business of 50 years ago when Wallace quit high school in 1958 to serve a two-year hitch in the military. After two years in the army, the serious business of working for a living left too little time for a return to the unfinished business of education. Until now that is. And now, something has changed in his life.
When Robert Neyses, 68, entered the prison system for the first time at the age of 61, he was ashamed of the fact that his education amounted to that of a third grade level. His lack of a formal education, Neyses feels, played a major part in the break-up of his 13 year marriage and prevented advancement in a number of decent jobs that he held over the years.
A counselor at High Desert prison convinced Neyses to enroll in courses which would lead to his eventual GED certificate. When Neyses arrived at S.Q., he continued the work he had begun at High Desert. Four long, hard years of lessons, classes, homework and more often than not, frustration.
Neyses, too, will take the stage at the Garden Chapel to receive his GED certificate on June 18. And he credits education with a major change in his life. He’s no longer ashamed or embarrassed, and proudly he says, “I can read and write now, especially to my family. It’s never too late to learn in these days.” He encourages everyone to take the steps necessary in order to change their lives.
As to whether or not he will take the next step and enroll in college, Neyses smiles and says, “It’s been a hard four years, but we’ll see. In the meantime, I’ll fish for some more books.”
These two men with their inspirational stories are just two members of the graduating class for 2009, San Quentin.
Change is the theme for the 2009 Education Department graduation ceremony, and the role that education can play in changing the lives of the many graduates of Patten University, Coastline College, various prison vocational programs and approximately 100 graduates of the GED program, a great many of whom will be participating in the ceremony. Two residents of Condemned Row have also earned GED certificates but will not attend the ceremony at the Garden Chapel.
Dr. Martin Jones, a Program Coordinator of Counseling with the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department is the featured keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony. Dr. Jones will address the vital role that education can play in changing the lives of any of the multi-generational men who pass through S.Q.. Through his work at the county jail Dr. Jones is familiar with many of the inmates who come through S.Q., including some of this year’s graduates.
