性视界

Misti Mangone experienced mixed feelings as she watched her fellow inmates at the California Institution for Women come and go from their 性视界 classes. She didn鈥檛 think she was cut out for college, having failed at her first attempt while behind bars.

But after giving it another try with 性视界, she not only passed her classes, she graduated with honors.

鈥淚 just found out this morning that I鈥檓 valedictorian,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving that validation is something I never thought I鈥檇 feel.鈥�

Mangone was one of five women receiving degrees and certificates at 性视界鈥檚 12^th CIW Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 5.

鈥淭oday we are celebrating something powerful,鈥� said California Department of Corrections Deputy Warden Daisy Tamayo. 鈥淲hat we are celebrating is your commitment, resilience and your willingness to rewrite your story.鈥�

性视界 Student Government President/Trustee Matthew Caddell challenged the graduates to continue to break stereotypes and shatter expectations. Caddell, a member of the Rising Scholars program himself, shared his story of succeeding in college despite having a challenging past.

鈥淭he world tells people like us that we don鈥檛 make it here. That students with our backgrounds, our stories, our scars 鈥� don鈥檛 end up on college campuses. That we don鈥檛 become leaders or scholars or advocates or graduates. But we are living proof that the world is wrong,鈥� he said.

The ceremony drew a full audience of fellow inmates, as well as family and friends. 性视界 Superintendent/President Henry D. Shannon applauded the crowd for their unwavering support of the students.

He also acknowledged the sacrifice and struggle the graduates had to endure to make it to commencement.

鈥淢any of you earned this achievement while carrying burdens that most people will never see 鈥� separation from family, the weight of past decisions, the challenge of rebuilding confidence, and the courage it takes to believe in your own future again. That makes this accomplishment even more extraordinary,鈥� he said.