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Turning over a new leaf
Staff members Sheryl West, Ron Luman, Bobby Phillips, Joe Bynum, John cook, Anthony Easley, Marc Gunn and Tanya Clevenger assisted in making graduation day for offenders a memorable occasion. Commencement speaker John Outlaw, Lufkin High School football coach, spoke to the group of men on his upbringing and how he found his positive outlook on life. "I want to commend each and every one of these men for doing something good for themselves." Outlaw went on to speak of his life as a child. "I was raised by two great women, hard workers with little education, but they always instilled in me how important education was." He spoke to audience members about how the encouraging words of four high school coaches changed his life. Outlaw's words were, "They took me under their wings and made sure they guided me in the right direction." "Everybody has problems and issues," he said. "The important thing is how you deal with those issues; you're going to have to learn how to deal with failure. If you choose to get out of bed and live life everyday, there will be speed bumps along the way," said Outlaw to an attentive crowd. He stressed that responsibility is a big task. "I've been a head football coach since I was 24 years old, so I've been old all my life, I've always had huge responsibilities." He also spoke to offenders on what he thinks are the steps to having a better quality of life. "Each day I wake I make it a goal to do more for others than I ever expect them to do for me. I treat everyone the way I want to be treated and most importantly, everyone needs somebody to listen to him or her and, if you don't have anyone to listen to you, you can talk to God." Outlaw stated that he likes winning but he'd rather win lives. He also spoke about being leaders for impressionable children, "Children need help; they need to know that you can relate and give them guidance." In closing remarks, State Rep. Jim McReynolds reiterated that offenders could use their experiences in life and relay it to a child that may need guidance. "You don't want them to go through some of the things you've had to go through," said McReynolds. He applauded the prisoners for making the first step toward a more productive life and urged them to never return to their present situation. "You don't want to ever come back here again," said McReynolds. "You don't want someone telling you when to wake, when to sleep, when to eat. When you leave here and if you put God and positive people into your lives, you will be able to make it. There are programs out in the free world to help you but you have to stay positive and stay focused." John Cook, DCC principal, awarded certificates as each man tried to contain their smiles of pride and excitement. During the graduation ceremony, family members were able to view projected photographs of offenders in formal cap and gown. Under the direction of Sheryl West and the Chapel Department, a small band of offenders played musical selections while audience members enjoyed refreshments. Graduating were: GED-Latimer Baker, Manuel Castillo, Andre Dunn, Lidell Monroe-Boutte, Long Tran, Jason Sprowls, Matthew Johnson, Roman Santos and Charles Strickland; LANDSCAPE DESIGN-Bryan Asberry, Daniel Bailey, Patrick Barnes, James Davenport, Andre Dunn, Dennis Garner, Pedro Hernandez, Daryl Holleman, David Miranda, Jose Nava, Thomas Scarbrough, Chris Thompson and Kevin Tyler; FACILITY CARE -Roger Barnum, Daniel Caminorreal, Michael Delgado, Matthew Epps, Glenn Green, Takora Harris, Rex Howard, Jonathan Mattix, Robert Mc- Dade, Eduardo Medina, Jerry Minor and James Thompson; and CONSTRUCTION-John Bickford, Major Byrd, Wytrent Davenport, Larry Foor, Lee Harkins, Jesse Moreno, William Myers, Roman Salazar, Edward Stone and Anthony Trent. |
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