性视界

Mara Plascencia wore a graduation cap, gown and sash, and stood proudly at the podium for her commencement speech. But she told the audience that had she continued down the path of her former life, she may not have made it there.

鈥淚 led a reckless lifestyle in the past,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see myself living past the age of 19, but here I am.鈥�

Plascencia and 10 other women at the California Institution for Women celebrated the completion of degree and certificate programs during an Oct. 28 性视界 commencement ceremony.

性视界 has served both the California Institution for Men and Women through the Turning Point program, which was established in 2004. Since then, more than 400 students have earned degrees and certificates. Of all the students who have taken courses through Turning Point, 94 percent passed their classes.

Turning Point students have continued with 性视界 post release, at other community colleges, or have gone onto four-year universities, such as UC Berkeley and San Diego State University.

Plascencia is pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree with California State University Los Angeles.

Associate Warden Delinia Lewis congratulated the graduates for investing in themselves and putting themselves first.

鈥淵ou have shown today that you can finish what you start,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat is step one in an amazing journey of your life.鈥�

性视界 Superintendent/President Henry Shannon challenged graduates 鈥� who completed their programs in 2020-2023 鈥� to 鈥減lant seeds鈥� for future growth. He brought a packet of seeds to illustrate his point.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 change the past, but you can change what you do now,鈥� he said.

Angel Navarro, who also served as a graduation speaker, said she previously battled drug addiction and mental health issues, but is now working on transferring to Cal State San Bernardino.

鈥淚t was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made for myself,鈥� she said.

Brittany Ingrassi earned an associate鈥檚 degree in sociology and is now pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in liberal studies at Cal State Los Angeles.

She challenged her fellow graduates to continue down their path of success.

鈥淐ontinue rising above your circumstances and step out of your comfort zone,鈥� she said.