MONROE TOWNSHIP - The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) held its annual high school commencement ceremony today at the New Jersey Training School (NJTS) in Monroe Township. Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman addressed the graduates, and attorney, author and motivational speaker Vaughn L. McKoy provided the keynote address. Kevin M. Brown, Executive Director of the JJC, presented the graduates with their high school diplomas or General Equivalency Degrees (GED) issued by their local school districts or the State. In addition to the 64 students participating in the commencement ceremony, 82 students received their diplomas or GEDs over the course of the academic year and have since been released from JJC supervision or did not participate in the ceremony. The JJC’s school year includes five marking periods, concluding in mid-September.
Keynote speaker McKoy is the author of Playing Up: One Man’s Rise from Public Housing to Public Service Through Mentorship, a memoir that takes the reader on his inspirational journey through the unforgiving streets of Paterson to his success as a student-athlete, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, the former director of the State Division on Criminal Justice, an executive and a motivational speaker.
“Our young people need to be inspired to rise above their circumstances and believe in their souls that the circumstances do not matter. With the help of mentors and role-models they can transform disadvantage into competitive advantage,” said McKoy. “I have faith that these young men and women can overcome their pasts and succeed.”
“Graduation is a milestone for every student – one that is reached through hard work and dedication. Our JJC students have overcome many challenges in order to reach graduation day. Many of these students were not attending school at all or performed well below grade level when they entered the JJC. Today, these young men and women have earned the right to call them themselves graduates,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman.
All graduates have met the high school graduation requirements set forth by the New Jersey Department of Education. The JJC coordinates each student’s curricula with his or her home school district to allow each student to receive a diploma from his or her local education authority when possible. Students receiving their degrees today are assigned to the NJTS, Juvenile Medium Security Facility (JMSF), the Female Secure and Intake Facility, and several of the JJC’s residential community homes, day programs and transitional programs located throughout the state.
“The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission has a challenging job - to turn around the lives of troubled young people and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. A high school diploma or a GED is not simply a piece of paper,” said Executive Director Brown. “Whether these graduates choose to continue to pursue academic studies at the college level, focus on vocational and technical training, or prepare to enter the job market, a degree provides these young men and women with a sense of accomplishment and self-worth that will help them succeed throughout their lives.”
Barbara Miller, co-chair of the New Jersey Association of County Youth Services Commission Administrators representing Sussex County, and Shelby Voorhees, Ocean County Youth Services Commission Administrator, presented eight graduates with awards recognizing their improvement in the following areas: Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science, Art, Career and Technical Education, World Languages, and GED Score. Each recipient received $25.00 and a certificate of recognition awarded by the association.
The Office of Education provides an appropriate and comprehensive educational program specific to each youth, while promoting opportunities for positive growth and development. The goal of the JJC educational program is to prepare students for continued learning and workforce preparation by offering a wide-range of challenging academic and career-technical experiences that meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs. In addition to academics, the Office of Education provides Career and Technical programs of study that prepare students for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations. The JJC offers a variety of programs including: Applied Horticulture Sciences, Culinary Arts with Safe Serve Certification, Graphic Arts, Plumbing and Pipefitting, and Computer Applications with various certifications.
For more information on the JJC, please visit www.njjjc.com.
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