What made the ceremony a bit more unique were the graduates themselves, two older adult inmates at SCI Muncy.

For one of the graduates, Lena, who is now 80 years old, the state prison system has been home since 1974. She worked on and off for decades to earn her GED.

A look outside the window brought into focus the enormity of the graduates’ achievements. The sun reflected off the wire fence enclosing the complex known as the State Correctional Institute (SCI) Muncy.

Through the years, Lena shared, she would start classes, then get stuck and discouraged and drop out. This went on until she was listening to the news one night and there was a story about some people in their 80s and 90s who had gotten their degrees.

A fellow SCI Muncy listens to a speaker at the 2024 Graduation Celebration at the prison in Muncy. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“If they can do it, I can do it,” ahe recalled thinking at the time. That’s when she decided to “get this done.”

Her brother Charles was the only one of her 10 siblings still living and he was there to see his sister graduate.

“I’m so glad for her,” Charles said, his pride in his sister’s accomplishment evident in the smile that he gave her.

In her address to the graduates, Dr. Laurel Harry, secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, used the analogy of the leaves that change colors in the fall to illustrate how those who were receiving their diplomas and certificates had changed.

At one time, she told them, they probably “felt like the dead leaves of winter,” but as they took advantage of the programs offered at SCI Muncy, they “started to grow back like the green summer leaves.”

SCI Muncy graduates lines up to receive their diplomas at the 2024 Graduation Celebration at the prison in Muncy. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Continuing the analogy, Harry said that now the graduates had changed and taken on a new color.”

“Change is the end result of all true learning,” Harry said.

Harry acknowledged Lena and a fellow graduate, Doris, who is 70, as evidence that “you’re never too old to learn.”

She urged all of the graduates to move out of their comfort zones, saying that sometimes it’s easy to get comfortable with the routine at SCI Muncy.

“You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone to better yourself,” Harry said.

Graduates at the SCI Muncy 2024 Graduation Celebration cheer for a fellow inmate as she got her degree at the prison in Muncy. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Admitting that graduations are “truly the best days” in the state’s Department of Corrections (DOC), she urged the graduates to be “proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

“Embrace your future.” Harry said in conclusion.

For Doris, getting her GED is just the beginning. The grandmother of six and the great-grandmother of 10 said that her family was proud of her for not giving up.

Her advice to anyone within the prison system who might be thinking about participating in one of the programs offered-“always follow your dreams.”

“There’s a lot more I still want to do,” she said.

When the graduates moved the tassels on their hats at the end of the ceremony, the crowd of family and friends joined in offering a standing ovation and in his closing prayer, the Rev. John Caudle, chaplain, told the graduates to see this as a “stepping stone in their lives,” and to stay “true to their dreams.”

According to Dr. Karen Oliver-Rider, principal at SCI Muncy, there are many educational opportunities for the women at the facility.

“Once a re-entrant has completed her Commonwealth Secondary Diploma (CSD) or GED, there are numerous vocational opportunities,” Rider said.

“We offer the only machine shop class in the state. This class focuses on CNC (Computer Numerical Code) coding. Currently Muncy is working towards updates to this program that will mirror what CNC coders experience out in the workforce,” she added.

The course instructor, Oak Alexander, also teaches flagging and fiber optics. Rider said that he has a 100 percent completion rate.

Another course, Automotive, is in its first at Muncy. The instructor, Jonathan Baker was able to obtain a car recently through donation from a staff member. This will allow Baker to offer state inspections, which Rider said is vital for the program to be a success.

Other course offering include cosmetology, which Rider said is at capacity at all times and restaurant trades.

“Higher education at Muncy is emphasized with all re-entrants who meet the requirements,” Rider said.

Commonwealth University offers a 24-credit Restorative Justice Certification and Bucknell University offers Inside-Out classes worth four credits. Muncy is also finalizing a 30-credit baking program with Penn College. Students who successfully complete the current culinary class will be afforded seven credits toward the program.

“This is the first time that college credits are being awarded for completing a vocational program at Muncy,” Rider said.