“You didn’t come to jail to continue your high school education, but you are making the most of your time here,” said Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid to the incarcerated men and women gathered for a graduation celebration in their honor. “Please let this day be the beginning – not the end – of a lifetime of learning. Let this achievement give you the confidence and hope to pursue a positive path for the future.”
The Sheriff’s Office partners with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to offer classroom education for those who have not earned a high school diploma or GED. The GED tests offered inside the ADC are the same as what is available on the outside. The jail-based education team helps learners transition to the equivalent community-based programs if they are released prior to attaining their high school credentials.
Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent, shared her thoughts with the graduates: “It’s really easy to fall into a trap of thinking that fame and fans and fortune are really what life is all about. I’d like you to think about three different F words: faith, family and friends. Understand the importance of those things because what’s here today is often gone tomorrow. Who you are becoming with your education, your life experience and your perseverance, that’s with you forever.”
Over the past year, 16 men and women in the Adult Detention Center earned their GED and one earned his high school diploma. Kincaid also recognized the 22 individuals who are partial passers, meaning they passed one or more of the four required tests on their way to earning their GED.
Erynn earned her GED while incarcerated and spoke in front of her classmates during the ceremony. She explained that she comes from a family of intellectual athletes, but she loved to party and dropped out of high school in her senior year. In her early 20’s she attempted to get her GED, but due to her battles with addiction, she never finished. Now, at the age of 40, she has her GED and is focused on turning her life around with the resources and support she is receiving in the ADC.
Dr. Vernon Walton, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. His stated mission is to make a difference in the community and be a light of hope for the world. He serves on the county’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council, the Police Reform Task Force and the FCPS Strategic Planning Team. He thanked Sheriff Kincaid and all the people working behind the scenes. “Your engagement and commitment have helped to lead others to fulfillment of a promise and just a downpayment on future dreams.”
To the graduates, Dr. Walton said, “You have a reason to smile. You have earned the right to feel good about your accomplishments. Education opens doors. Education creates opportunities. Education levels the playing field. You need to know there are several levels of doors, and today you have walked through door number one. Don’t panic. Don’t become alarmed or overwhelmed by the remaining doors. Just appreciate the fact that you are strong enough, determined enough and committed enough to walk through this door. Here is why it is a big deal. You have not allowed yesterday to be determined by your detours. What does matter most is how you handle the detours when they show up in your life. Most detours are unexpected. Most detours are undesired. Detours can be costly and extremely time consuming. But keep walking. While you are walking, make sure to keep watching. Watch for those signs that ultimately point you in the right direction. Your destiny depends on your ability to watch for the signs. I celebrate you today for not making the mistake of allowing falling to be your failure. You still have options. Your life still has value. This is not the end of your story. It is only the beginning.”
For more information about the GED program in the ADC, please email Meghean Rustia, ADC Education Coordinator for FCPS.