Columbia Celebrates as DJJ Honors 129 Birchwood School Graduates
Birchwood School’s Promising Program
On a historic day in the city of Columbia, South Carolina, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) celebrated the graduation of 129 students hailing from Birchwood School. Birchwood School, a unique educational program offered by DJJ, provides incarcerated juveniles with an opportunity to further their education, and in some cases, earn college credit.
Parents of the graduates, many of whom didn’t anticipate seeing this day, joyously celebrated the achievement. The graduating class chalked up a significant milestone for DJJ, clocking 1,000 graduates over the past eight years. Amidst the standard graduation ceremonies, the graduates tossed their caps and shared that their success was indeed the result of arduous but worthwhile efforts.
A Symbol of Generational Change
All graduates triumphantly completed the intricate requirements and rigorous testing in order to secure their high school diplomas or GED. “Today’s graduates symbolize a generational change,” asserted Floyd Lyles, Superintendent of DJJ, in February. Lyles shared his excitement, emphasizing that the program offers life-changing opportunities to the young graduates, many of whom are first-time graduates in their families.
Birchwood School graduates have promising outlooks, with many already enrolled in college or gainfully employed. Their graduation marks an important chapter in their lives, inspiring optimism and immense pride in their families.
Graduates Share Their Experiences
Among the graduates, Michael Garrick, looking forward to attending college, hopes it will provide him motivation to secure a promising career and achieve greater success. Garrick advises other young individuals to choose their friends wisely and stay out of trouble, emphasizing that they too can achieve great things.
Myles Cooper, another graduate from Birchwood School, is also ready to embrace his future with optimism. Cooper, a first-time high school graduate who wishes to experience the education he missed out on, plans to attend Allen University. Him, like many other graduates, is set to branch out to college in the fall.
Future Prospects
Enrollment in the program at Birchwood School is voluntary. DJJ Director, Edin Hendrick, expressed hope and anticipation of even greater numbers of graduates in the coming years. This achievement, along with the potential for future successes, marks an important milestone in DJJ’s initiative of creating change and providing opportunities for the juveniles.
While the path may be challenging, these victorious graduates emphasize that success is attainable with determination, hard work, and the right mindset. This inspirational group of students inspires hope not only for others in similar circumstances, but also for society at large. They are the living testament that with the right opportunities and support, anybody can rise above their circumstances and thrive.
