25 Jun ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO SALUTES THE GRADUATES AT SOJOURN HIGH SCHOOL’S 26th ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY AT THE ESSEX COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER 6 Students Received High School Diplomas during Graduation Ceremony
Published on June 25, 2024
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that 6 students graduated from Sojourn High School, an alternative high school for youth incarcerated at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark, on Thursday, June 20th. During the ceremony, Essex County Juvenile Detention Center Director Rev. Dennis Hughes, Essex Regional Educational Services Commission Superintendent Dr. Latee Walton-McCleod, Sojourn High School Acting Principal Takesha Massey and School Counselor Brenda Moretti presented high school diplomas to the six graduates.
“We work diligently to ensure that the youth in our Essex County Juvenile Detention Center receive a good education and are provided with the necessary skills to excel in their future endeavors, whether it’s additional schooling or the workforce. On this day, we commend our graduates for their dedication to their studies and achieving this milestone in their lives. This marks a step forward toward their future successes when they leave this facility,” DiVincenzo said.
“To this group of graduates, who I had the opportunity to get close to, I am very proud of what you all have done. This is not the set-up of the public school system. You had to fight some challenges and overcome some real obstacles that someone outside of here would not understand, but you did not allow it to stop you,” Hughes said. “Do not stop here. This should let you know that you can do anything if it’s in your heart and mind and I am looking forward to hearing all the great things you will achieve,” he added.
“Today we gather to honor a truly remarkable group of young individuals. The journey to this moment has been nothing but ordinary and the achievements we celebrate are a testament to your strength, perseverance and indomitable spirit,” Walton-McCleod said. “Class of 2024, each of you has faced unique challenges and obstacles on your path to this milestone. Whether it was overcoming personal hardships, navigating through unprecedented global events or pushing through academic struggles, you have shown extraordinary resilience. Your journey has not been easy, but it has shaped you into the strong capable individual that you are today. You have demonstrated the power of determination, you have shown that obstacles aren’t roadblocks, but rather steppingstones to greater heights,” she added.
“Congratulations, this day is about you, all our graduates. Don’t let a little hiccup that happened affect the rest of your life. It is about today and going forward. Our eyes are positioned so we look forwards and not back. So continue moving forward after earning your high school diploma,” said Essex County Chief of Staff Philip B. Alagia.
“You all have accomplished something great, and you should feel good about this moment. As someone who has made poor decisions in my life, that ended me up as a resident here 30 years ago, feel proud of what you’ve done because nobody gave it to you, it was earned, and you worked hard for it,” keynote speaker D. Talb Aquil said. “Today is vindication for you because you accomplished something many others didn’t, and you proved the naysayers wrong. As you look forward to your future, the keys to your success will be your time management, having a structured routine and discipline and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and have done what you want to do,” he added.
Wearing caps and gowns from their respective hometown schools, the graduates spoke briefly about themselves, the obstacles they overcame and the people who helped and influenced them. Filled with emotions, they were all grateful to see this milestone come to fruition, and some credited the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center for “saving them.”
“Thank you to my friends, family, teachers and coaches who have helped me achieve this benchmark of graduating from high school. It’s been a long journey from kindergarten to this day and it wasn’t until I joined the football team and learned important lessons that I became serious about my education during sophomore year. Although this journey may be ending for some, for me it represents a new beginning and I am going to remain focused and achieve my goals,” said R.B., who earned his diploma from Atlantic City High School.
“Congratulations to my fellow graduates, I am happy for us. Now that I am a high school graduate, I feel that the education I received will help me achieve something greater for my life. I am very hopeful for my future, and I must thank my mom and dad who helped me and supported me when times were rough,” said J.L., who earned his diploma from John F. Kennedy High School.
“I want to thank my family for guiding me through this tough time and the officers, teachers and administrators for pushing me towards greatness. My story is one of overcoming. Before I came here, I didn’t think I would graduate, but you all encouraged me to do otherwise. Once I got here and became focused on my studies and realized I could do it, I wanted to graduate and make my mother proud. I have a strong mind and I never gave up,” said D.R., who earned his diploma from the State of New Jersey.
“First, I must say thank you to my cousin because without her I wouldn’t have graduated. I know I should be excited to graduate and be out celebrating, but it’s still an accomplishment so I’m not mad. I am just a little disappointed in myself because I should have been using the smarts I was given for good, instead of what I’ve done to get here. Thank you to everyone who has helped me and when I go home, I’m done. I’m changing my life around and I’m going to make everyone proud and prove everyone wrong. I’m not going to dwell on my past I’m going to focus on my future,” said A.R., who earned his diploma from Union High School.
“I am very thankful for my family and supporters for being there for me even when things didn’t take the right turn. I’ve been through a lot of rough times in my life, but my message to myself is that as long as I remain true to myself, I will be able to succeed and be prepared for whatever happens during the rest of my life. To my fellow graduates, never give up on yourself and always be a leader not a follower,” said B.S., who received his diploma from Passaic County Technical Institute.
D.T., an Orange High School graduate, was recognized in absentia.
The Essex County Juvenile Detention Center has an 8,000-book library on site and is the only detention facility in the State to offer a full 6½ hour school day for detainees. Sojourn High School is an alternative education program designed to serve both classified and non-classified at-risk students. Established in 1997, the program provides students with an alternative to traditional educational experience and maintains a low student to staff ratio. Sojourn High School consists of middle and high school students who have been pre-adjudicated, exhibit chronic discipline problems, and are in danger of not graduating. Students earn credits toward graduation by documenting skills demonstrated and proficiencies mastered. The SHS curriculum is based on the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards and the student’s Individual Program Plan or Individual Educational Program. The school considers the interests, specific skills and life goals of all students in the instructional design.
Students at Sojourn High School at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center have options to earn industry-recognized certifications to secure a job in the construction field upon release in addition to college credits from Essex County College. In 2019, Sojourn High School became the first in the state to have such a program. The SIM LOG Vocational Program is made of three machine networked simulator stations that replicate the functionality of a hydraulic excavator, bulldozer, and wheel loader to teach machine operation skills. Each simulation station is equipped with a steering wheel, gear shift, and/or foot pedals.
Note: Because of confidentiality, students’ names were not included in this press release. In addition, to maintain the safety and security of the Essex County Juvenile Detention Facility, photography and video equipment was not permitted inside.