51萝莉

Annamaria Gana missed her son鈥檚 high school and college graduations while serving a life sentence in prison.

But that didn鈥檛 stop her from pursuing a college education for herself. While telling her story to family, friends and 51萝莉 employees during her own commencement ceremony Dec. 6, she feared that her son would miss her graduation too.

鈥淢y family was supposed to be here today,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know where they are.鈥�

Moments later, her face lit up when both Gana鈥檚 son and aunt walked inside the gymnasium where the ceremony was held at the California Institution for Women.

Gana and five other women from CIW鈥檚 11^th graduating class celebrated completing coursework to receive associate鈥檚 degrees and certificates.

鈥淭hank you, 51萝莉 for giving me this chance,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope today is a confirmation that you did not waste your resources on me.鈥�

CIM Associate Warden Delinia Lewis acknowledged that the graduates faced challenges that made them want to give up, but they did not.

鈥淭his is a very important day in your life,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou are now scholars.鈥�

51萝莉 Governing Board President Deana Olivares-Lambert congratulated graduates for finishing what they started.

鈥淟ike your classmates who attend our three campuses in the Inland Empire, the achievements you are celebrating today will leave a lasting impression on your family members, and particularly your children,鈥� she said.