Graduation with a twist

There are many ways to tame an addiction to drugs. For Joshua Wright, his salvation came six months ago with the birth of his daughter, Amiree.

“She’s the sole reason why I’m doing everything,” the 21-year-old Costa Mesa man said as he celebrated earning his high school degree Friday. “I want to lead by example.”

After spending a number of his teenage years in foster care, Wright struggled with drugs. But he has been clean for six months.

Though Wright put off getting his high school degree for years, he decided to take a stand after joining the Orange County Conservation Corps four months ago. As a member of the Corps, he completed 30 credits to earn his diploma.

Wright was one of 15 Corps members honored during Friday’s graduation ceremony at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Anaheim.

The graduates stood proudly while family and friends looked on, and there was even a guest speaker: Assemblyman Mike Duvall (R-Yorba Linda). All in all, it was a typical high school graduation ceremony — constant applause, emotional overtones and flash bulbs in full force. What wasn’t typical? The graduates and the inspirational stories they had to tell.

A number came from broken homes, several dealt with drug addiction and half of them are raising children of their own. During Friday’s graduation, however, the Corps members on hand officially put their pasts behind them, trading them in for a more promising future.

“I don’t look back anymore,” said 22-year-old Jackie Cabrera, who stood in front of the podium, holding back tears in front of the couple hundred in attendance. “What’s done is done. I’m very happy about who I am today.”

“You see them coming in with a lot of barriers and struggling with those just to stay with the program with their attendance, family problems and other issues,” said Jacquie Simpson, transition coordinator. “For them to make it is just a huge success.”

The Orange County Conservation Corps is a nonprofit organization providing at-risk youth with work and educational opportunities. Corps members work full-time on conservation projects while also getting the chance to earn their diplomas. As Simpson explained, it’s the last shot that many members will get at a high school degree.

And for some, like Wright, they are the first in their family to graduate high school.

For such a milestone in Wright’s life it was appropriate that someone from his dark past was there to help him celebrate. Joseph Perez, a commissioner from Orange County Superior Court, was the last judge Wright faced in court. He promised to be there when Wright graduated.

“It’s unbelievable, what he’s come through,” Perez said.

“He’s come a long way, I know that much,” added Sean Sargeant, Wright’s probation officer.

Wright plans to attend community college in Mission Viejo and wants to become a drug and alcohol counselor. He would also like to open up a hair salon.

On Friday, though, he was content to bask in the celebration.

“It’s an achievement,” Wright said. “I know it’s kind of standard for some people, [but] I didn’t come from a structured home. I’ve struggled a lot so it’s something I’ve accomplished that no one can take from me.”