In a rare moment of triumph within the confines of Rikers Island, 57 incarcerated students celebrated their academic achievements at the East River Academy graduation ceremony. The event, held this week, was a testament to the students’ perseverance and the transformative power of education.
The graduates, most of whom are between the ages of 18 and 21, earned their high school diplomas and GEDs through the East River Academy, a public school operating within the Rikers Island jails as part of the education department‘s District 79. The ceremony, held in the Robert N. Davoren Complex chapel, was a blend of traditional graduation festivities and the unique realities of incarceration.
Mayor Mamdani’s Inspiring Keynote Address
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered the keynote address, praising the graduates for their determination and resilience. He acknowledged the challenges they faced, stating, “Many of you arrived on Rikers in a cloud of uncertainty and despair. And yet you did not surrender to that alienation.”
Mamdani compared life to a merry-go-round, emphasizing that there is always a seat open for anyone who wants to climb on board. “By entering this program, by choosing to hope, by choosing possibility over doubt, you have already chosen to climb on board,” he said, encouraging the graduates to continue pursuing their goals despite their current circumstances.
The Graduates’ Journeys and Aspirations
The graduates’ journeys were marked by both struggle and triumph. Ivan Maldonadothe class salutatorian, shared his aspirations to study mortuary science and open a funeral home. Despite facing charges of robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, Maldonado remained hopeful about his future. “We are not our booking number, we are not our charges, we are not the worst thing we have ever done. We are proof that change is possible,” he told his fellow graduates.
Andrew Pashininthe valedictorian, spoke about the transformative power of education during his 16 months on Rikers. He described school as a “safe haven in the middle of a battlefield,” providing him with a sense of peace and direction. Pashinin’s mother, Heidy Castroexpressed her pride and hope for her son’s future, noting the positive changes she had seen in him.
Principal Threadgill’s Reflection on Education and Society
Principal Tonya Threadgillwho has worked at the school for 31 years, reflected on the broader implications of the graduates’ achievements. She invoked Carter G. Woodson’s “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” suggesting that society often fails the individuals it incarcerates. “We’ve all missed the mark,” she said, encouraging attendees to reflect on their own lives and the systemic issues that contribute to incarceration.
Stanley Richardsthe first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s Department of Correction, shared his own journey from incarceration to success. He emphasized the importance of education and belief in oneself, stating, “You can be anything you want. Don’t believe it simply because I’m saying it. Believe it because I lived it. I lived it, and so could you.”
The graduation ceremony at East River Academy served as a powerful reminder of the potential for transformation and the importance of education, even in the most challenging circumstances. The graduates’ achievements stand as a testament to their resilience and the hope for a brighter future.
