It was a traditional graduation but not at a traditional location when 60 inmates at the Centralia Correctional Center graduated with vocational degrees to help them successfully re-enter society.
Friday’s graduation was the first at the correctional center since Kaskaskia College started to once again offer the programs and COVID-19 restrictions being lifted. Kaskaskia College Board Chair Bill Hawley had a send-off message for the graduates.
“Congratulations is not enough. You have taken upon yourself a very important task. To improve your life, your situation and to gain knowledge. We at Kaskaskia College and the Board of Trustees believe in you and these programs. And we are going to do our best to be here for everyone every time.”
And the graduates were appreciative of getting another chance although Culinary 1 graduate Joshua Desherlia initially liked the good time offered.
“I said to myself, no way they are going to give me good time for this. I’m not going to miss a single day. As time went on though I began to love what I do and could see myself running my own food truck. I studied hard, passed the service test and when I go home I’ll put my certificates to use.”
Orlando Perez spoke for the warehousing graduates.
“I just want to thank all our teachers and supervisors in the time they invested in all of us. When others scene us as a menace, you all saw us as people and treated us with respect, and saw potential in all of us. I appreciate the time we were given to learn a trade and to let us better ourselves and our families. You have given some of us a direction in life that we haven’t seen in a long time.”
Don Evans spoke for the construction graduates.
“Recreating one’s self is not an easy task. Especially in here. Not everyone can do it, but everyone has a chance. As we integrate back into society, some of us after many years, we are proof that after all of this we can and will persevere. No longer pipe dreams and speculation to be our future, but only certainty and success be our pathways.”
The Illinois Department of Corrections Vocation Coordinator DuWayne Owens says the graduates face a much brighter future than many of those in the past.
“In the 22 years I’ve been in corrections we’ve seen such a change. Years ago it was hard to get out and get a job, now there are people lined up looking to hire people getting out of corrections. We have people calling us all the time what field, area, or specialty? So my department hands it off to the Re-Entry Department to line them up with jobs and housing and that sort of thing, and it’s never been easier.”
The graduates had completed the same requirements as those who attend Kaskaskia College in Culinary Arts, Warehousing and Distribution, and Construction. The college has also received approval to offer an HVAC program and is currently looking for an instructor.
Some of the 60 graduates, in cap and gown, wait for their diplomas Friday at the Centralia Correctional Center. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Student Speaker Joshua Desherlia talks to fellow graduates. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
