GHC Honors Graduates at Stafford Creek Corrections Center

Posted on: Aug, 21, 2025

On August 14, Grays Harbor College honored 74 graduates at a Commencement Ceremony at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. In the past six months, students at Stafford Creek earned 93 educational certificates or degrees in the following areas: High School Equivalency (GED), High School Diploma, Construction Trades Apprenticeship, Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science in Business Management, and Associate of Arts – Direct Transfer Agreement. GHC also partnered with The Evergreen State College to recognize graduates earning four-year degrees.  

GHC President Dr. Carli Schiffner spoke to the crowd of graduates and their supporters. “Let it soak in, you are college graduates! It is with a full heart that I say we, at Grays Harbor College, are so proud of you! You did it!” Schiffner continued, “You have cleared milestones, and you have done it in the face of many obstacles. Your success in getting to this point is a testament to your perseverance, dedication, and determination. You are setting an example, providing hope, and changing the direction of your lives and your families’ lives”

Graduates Paul, Randy, William, and Robert also gave speeches during the ceremony.

Paul

Paul, who graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the Evergreen State College, looked back on his road to a degree. “When I first got to prison, I remember sitting down in my cell alone and putting my head in my hands. I couldn’t believe where I was at and how things had gotten so bad. It was a solemn moment for me.”

Paul said the biggest question going through his mind was, “How did I get here?”

There could be a lot of answers to that question, but in that moment, one became clear. “The main reason stood out in bold, blinking neon lights. ‘You didn’t take school serious.’”

Paul came to Stafford Creek with a ninth-grade education. He started studying on his own and eventually enrolled in college classes. “Today, the narrative for my story is different. I am in the process of applying for a master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA). I also have a number of standing job offers from a number of successful organizations – places where I can help others who are looking to transform their lives.”

Paul concluded his speech with a message of hope. “I have come along way since the day I sat alone in my cell with my head in my hands. I want to leave this stage with a moment of inspiration. We haven’t all lived perfect pasts. And one thing is for sure, we cannot go back and change what happened. What we have control of is right NOW. We may not be able to go back to the beginning and create a new start, but we can start now and create a new ending.”

Randy

Construction Trades Apprenticeship (CTAP) graduate Randy opened his speech by describing the three parts of a hammer – the face, the cheek, and the claw. He continued, “The three W’s are ‘What am I doing?’, ‘Why am I doing it?’, and ‘Where am I going?’ ‘The Pythagorean theorem is used to square a structure’ and ‘We move material every day.’ These seemingly unrelated statements would have meant as much to me three months ago as they mean to you now. Just like wood, steel, concrete, and glass are components of a house, these statements are components of the Construction Trades Apprenticeship Preparation program.”

As he looked back on his time in CTAP, Randy highlighted various agility tests and technical training, as well as the “soft skills” covered in the program. CTAP Instructor Kelly Richters, who Randy described as having “tenacity in abundance,” also taught the class about personal finance. “He wanted us to learn how to budget our money in order to have a future beyond these prison fences. He taught us how to budget our weekly paycheck of imaginary money so we could live the good life.”

The CTAP students learned about tools and tool safety, practiced reading blueprints, and even drew their own set of plans. “We can all go out and build a 24’ by 24’ two story, two-car garage with an apartment on top. Our very own bachelor pad!”

Other highlights of the CTAP program included mock interviews and learning about professional organizations. Randy recalled when representatives from the Cement Masons and Plasters Union, Local 528, visited the class. “They informed us that beginning wages are about $30 an hour and progress to $52 an hour as a Journeyman. My mind was blown when I learned that after the wage, health and pension benefits, there was a contribution of $4 an hour towards a 401K by the employer.”

Randy concluded his speech by thanking those who supported him along the way to graduation. “I want to say thank you to Kelly Richters and the staff at Stafford Creek and Grays Harbor College for this opportunity to stand before you today, a proud graduate of the CTAP Vocational program. I also want to thank all the friends and family who came to help us all celebrate. I want to congratulate my fellow students, my teammates, for taking a big step towards securing a better and more fulfilling future you can call your own.”

William

William, who graduated with his High School Diploma, reflected on what the accomplishment represents to him and looked back on his experience as a student. “This isn’t your typical graduation. We are not just celebrating our diplomas or degrees, we are celebrating second chances, determination, and proving to ourselves that we can do hard things. The GHC program isn’t just about school work. It’s about growth, about showing up every day and deciding we are more than our past – even when we are not a morning person.”

“When I walked in here, I didn’t picture myself in a cap and gown. I didn’t think I would be starting a new chapter at my age. But today, I’m proud to say, I’m stepping into the next one, studying for my associate’s degree in Business Management, because apparently, I’m a professional over achiever. But, that is proof that no matter where you are in life, you can keep moving forward.”

William closed his speech with an address to his fellow graduates. “Whether you are getting a diploma, GED, associate’s, certificate, or bachelor’s degree, you’ve done something worth celebrating. We didn’t just learn facts and formulas, we learned that we can finish what we start. It’s never too late to rise up, to learn, and to create a future you are proud of.”

Robert

Associate degree graduate Robert began his speech by defining the word “Ubuntu,” a word that he said holds the power to guide, unify, and inspire.  “Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning, ‘I am because we are.’ It speaks to the essence of our shared humanity; it expresses how we are all connected, that our strength as individuals comes from the support of one another and reminds us that none of us makes it alone. We rise together, we grow together, and we succeed together.”

When looking around the room at his fellow graduates, Robert said he saw Ubuntu in action. “I see perseverance, transformation, and unshakeable determination. I see people who chose not to be defined by their worst moments in life, but rather, the ones who were willing to do whatever it took to evolve, continue to strive, and never quit until they got what they wanted to achieve.”

Encouraging his fellow graduates to take pride in what they accomplished, Robert said, “What we achieved here today is nothing less than extraordinary! I don’t know if it sunk in by now, but you should be feeling a level of pride that makes you feel invincible!”

Robert continued his speech, “We could have decided to do nothing with our time and make excuses for ourselves to be ordinary. But instead, we dared to be different and maximized our time and efforts by taking advantage of the opportunities we were given. That takes an ambitious individual who is willing to push themselves past their limits and do whatever it takes to reach their goals. And we did that. This diploma is more than just a piece of paper. It is a declaration that says: ‘I showed up, day after day, night after night, pushing through the adversity, overcoming the doubt, and defying the odds.’”

After thanking his supporters and loved ones, Robert concluded his speech with a powerful reminder. “You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You don’t have to have a clean past to create a brilliant future. We have proven that change is possible, that growth is real, and that greatness is within reach. The journey ahead won’t be easy, but remember Ubuntu: I am because we are. And let us carry each other forward, to continue to rise together.”