Unlocking doors: Inmates graduate in Springfield

Four Springfield Prison inmates celebrated a major accomplishment Wednesday. They each graduated with a Community High School of Vermont diploma and their smiles and emotions told the story.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20111007/NEWS02/710079919

Unlocking doors: Inmates graduate in Springfield


Ronald Gabaree gets his high school diploma from Troy McAllister at the Springfield prison.

Vyto Starinskas / Staff Photo


By Christian Avard
Staff Writer - Published: October 7, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — Four Springfield Prison inmates celebrated a major accomplishment Wednesday. They each graduated with a Community High School of Vermont diploma and their smiles and emotions told the story.

“Most facilities I’ve been in do not offer a high school diploma. They offer (General Education Development tests). This will unlock more doors for us,” CHSVT graduate Ronnie Rushford said.

Rushford was accepted at Ohio State University and will be taking classes next fall. “I’d like to thank (the teachers and staff) for the chance to open up a door and not have them slam shut in our face. We can see something on the other side that there is something out there for us. We’re not in the dark anymore.”

Ronald Gabaree, Ervin Greenslit and Andre Thomas also received their high school diplomas. Gabaree was grateful for the opportunity and said it was a long time in the making. He thanked faculty, staff and fellow inmates for their encouragement and support.

“It took me 56 years to finally get an education that was proper. Thank you all,” Gabaree said after the graduation ceremony.

Andre Thomas completed his high school education in two years. He thanked his mother, Christine Thomas, and his brother, Dakota Gardner, for encouraging him to graduate. Holding back tears and emotions, Thomas also thanked his teachers who supported him.

“They pushed me everyday, even when I didn’t want to when I thought I had nothing left,” Thomas said. “This is something to show my eight year-old son. My mom said ‘I could do it.’ I never believe it. I proved myself wrong.”

Springfield Prison Superintendent Mark Potanas was proud of Springfield Prison’s CHSVT Class of 2011. He told graduates that education “opens their mind” and they don’t stop learning after they receive their diplomas. Potanas said it was “a lifelong journey” and “what they make of it.”

Certificates were issued to inmates who completed occupational skills programs. Norman Lizotte, Gary Merrill and Spencer Richmond received National Restaurant Association ProStart certificates. The program teaches culinary techniques and management skills. The graduates’ skills were on display with a special graduation cake comprising many layers and delicious surprises.

First-year electrician apprenticeship certificates were also awarded to Rushford, Willis Brown and Stephen Synnott. The certificates were given to students who completed the first year of a four-year course. Springfield Prison Vocational Education Coordinator Mike Jenzen said the certificates are necessary in the job profession. “This is a step forward to get them employed,” Jenzen said.

Lizotte congratulated the class of 2011 and thanked faculty and staff and prison officials for making the programs available. He said they were making a difference in their lives and giving them the tools necessary to succeed in life after prison.

“Rehabilitation is not putting someone somewhere and forgetting about them. It’s giving them an opportunity to change their lives. We can’t change what we did but we can change what we do in the future,” Lizotte said.