Three Lakes and Riverside Schools Celebrate Graduates
From: Marcia Latta
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Congratulations, Class of 2019
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Family members, staff and past students celebrated graduates on June 12 at the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility.
The traditional graduation ceremony honored a record 47 youth who received GEDs or diplomas from Three Lakes and Riverside high schools, including 10 students who returned to participate.
Several students were also honored for college achievement: One student for completing an associate degree and several students for earning college certificates from Linn Benton Community College.
Many students returned to Oak Creek to participate in the ceremony, and the event provided motivation to students who were nearing completion during the school year. The day started with a senior breakfast and included a senior photo, a graduation rehearsal, a choir performance and a reception for families.
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The event was a day-long recognition of the achievement of these students—many of whom say they struggled with self-doubt on the road to completion. Principal Joy Koenig said the ceremony recognizes student persistence and hard work in the face of challenges.
"Some of our students have never even been on a stage, and the sense of pride and satisfaction you can see in their faces is lovely," she said. "It’s creating a culture where education is respected and is worth celebrating."
Principal Koenig welcomed guests before Mike Riggan, Superintendent at Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility, spoke about the steady progress at the schools year after year. He noted that the dedication among staff who demonstrate genuine care for students is a key factor in student success.
A volunteer student choir led by music teacher Ray Severns enthusiastically performed, “Best Day of My Life,” at the graduation.
Hannah W. received her college diploma from Linn Benton Community College. She is the first student at Oak Creek to earn a college degree.
The keynote speaker was Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson. She congratulated the students, praised them for their work and for finding their voices. She shared her own graduation story in which her mother had to advocate for her right to be recognized as valedictorian of her school, an honor she had earned. She told students that we are all standing on the shoulders of others who are helping us be where we are supposed to be.
She closed with three tips for students: 1) Recognize that life is not about being perfect, but stay positive in your outlook. 2) Never let others define you. Listen to your inner voice and define yourself. 3) Have courage to follow your own heart. Take risks and take responsibility for your choices.
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Hannah W., Associate Degree, Linn Benton Community College
I am proud to say that I have earned over 90 college credits and am about to receive my very own associate degree, courtesy of Linn-Benton Community College. I remember times when I wanted to stop caring, times when I almost said forget it. Getting an associate degree, taking solely online classes, and working around the technological barriers present at Oak Creek has been not only stressful but also amazing because I look at my credits as they rack up and I’m like, Wow, I did that. No one else did that work for me; I stuck through it.
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Diana E., Linn Benton Community College Nondestructive Testing
I want to thank Joy, the principal, for believing in all of us. The opportunity she offered me to attend college is the reason I am not the person that I was before. I never imagined I would be going to college, let alone being part of the Nondestructive Testing program. The teachers and staff made it possible for me to be a part of this by pushing me to believe in myself, and for that I am very thankful. This school has made a huge difference at Oak Creek. This is not a place where you do your time and, boom, you’re out. Thanks to the teachers at this school, this has become a place where you learn about yourself, who you want to be in the future, and the real importance of an education.
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Naseria T.
I didn’t think I would be able to get my diploma. People used to tell me, "You need to get your act together and get your education," but all I did was nod and let it slip away. Now I can’t believe I made it. I never thought I’d be walking in a cap and gown. I used to never think I’d make it past my 18th birthday, but I beat the odds. I knew it was time for a change … I’m honored to say I’m class of 2019.
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Elly G.
Although being incarcerated has its fair share of stressors, I always take into account how comfortable I feel here. After all, I have to admit that it’s better to be able to focus more on my homework than my safety, which wasn’t the case for some of my past placements. Thank you, class of 2019, for helping me unwrap the future that I thought was a mere fantasy, and recovering the smile on my face.
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Cheyenne P.
I never thought I would ever finish school due to my lifestyle. Turns out I'm pretty smart and am good at a lot of things. I’m good at math, science, fabrication and art. I have learned that I am diligent, and I am resourceful. Though I put in the hard work, I know I couldn’t have done this without amazing help from some extraordinary people, the teachers and staff. They helped me get to this point in my life and help provide stepping stones to my current and future success.
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Amber O.
Class of 2019, we did it! But don’t get me wrong; we had help. Help that we are very thankful for ... but we did it! We did it! No matter how many struggles we went through, or how many obstacles we had to cross. We did it! Many people doubted us and were sure we would fail. A lot of people living outside of these walls don’t know the changes we’ve made in here, how much we’ve accomplished. When many girls first come here they believe, I am nobody, and I will be a nobody for the rest of my life. To those new students ... Today is proof that you will never be a nobody. You are somebody, and you will do great things. Not for them, but for you.
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