CASSOPOLIS — Chris Lehman of Bangor and Timothy Ludman of Dowagiac received Cassopolis diplomas in a graduation ceremony Thursday morning at Cass County Jail.
“A lot of jails are very envious of what we have here,” jail Capt. Richard Affriseo said.
“A few offer a GED test, but that’s it. We’re actually able to give diplomas, which takes you to a whole new level as you continue your education. I really want to thank Cassopolis Public Schools for dedication in seeing that you are not a lost commodity. When you guys are doing positive things, it makes my job easier. They’re just tools in a belt unless you take them out and use them.
“Like the superintendent said, continue to grow. We want to see you as productive, taxpaying citizens coming in the front door and continuing to support the program we have so no one else falls through the cracks.”
A third graduate, Amber Kasper, was released.
“We couldn’t hold her for graduation,” Affriseo said.
“Van Buren County doesn’t have this program there,” Lehman. 24, said. “Lack of jobs kept me in trouble. I never had the opportunity to get myself on the right track until I got to Cass County. Now, I can actually go home and tell my mom I have a diploma.”
“I do like learning things and there are some college classes I want to take after leaving here,” Ludman, 36, of Dowagiac, said.
The father of four said he had a GED and found employment as a machinist.
“It’s great for my kids to see me coming back to school and getting my diploma.”