From Prison to Graduation - 20 Years Later, He’s Just Getting Started

August 8, 2017

Rodney Lacanienta will be the first to tell you that growing up, he made some bad choices. After years of bouncing in and out of prison and struggling with addiction, Rodney finally found his way with the help of his family and the committed educators at Poway Adult School in the Poway Unified School District in San Diego. He faced his fears and never missed a day of school, becoming more active in his church and acting as a role model to fellow students. Rodney graduated high school this month and is moving on to his next effort, earning an advanced degree in theology at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murietta, CA. Longtime ACSA members Kathleen Porter, Teresa Palzkill, and Adult Education Committee member Pam Garramone all worked together as a team to provide support to the Poway Adult School, Rodney’s gateway to a fresh start and a new life. “It doesn’t matter how far gone you are,” Rodney said. “You can always pick up the pieces and succeed if you want to. It’s not going to be easy. I can tell you that. But if you want it, you can have it.”

Previous Video

Maria’s Mission: Change the World, One Person at a Time

Maria’s first commitment is to service. Her second… to social justice. Maria was born in Salvatierra Guanaj...

Next Video

Brain Injury Survivor Finds Her Voice in Choir Class

Jessica and her twin brother were born premature at just 30 weeks when Jessica was diagnosed with periventr...

From Prison to Graduation - 20 Years Later, He’s Just Getting Started

Previous Video

Next Video

Related Content

Congratulations to Jammy Harris from Fresno Unified School District who is the winner of the ACSA Region 9 Every Student Succeeding award! Jammy lost both her mother and father by the time she was jus

Congratulations to Chloe Blanchette who completed two years of school in just 9 months and graduated from Albert Powell Continuation High in Yuba City. It’s been quite the journey for Chloe who watche

Congratulations to Manny Moreno from Anaheim Union High School District for winning the ACSA Every Student Succeeding award in ACSA Region 17. Manny overcame severe anger issues thanks to the staff at

Congratulations to Chino High student Valeria Montes who donned cap and gown and graduated this year after surviving a traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome due to a bike accident and la

Congratulations to Cory Suzuki in Los Angeles Unified School District who was named class valedictorian this year at Gardena High. Cory was diagnosed with autism at age 4 and overcame many obstacles e

Congratulations to Claremont Unified School District student Alexandra Savage who was diagnosed with #medulloblastoma brain cancer just before starting 4th grade at Condit Elementary. Now in remission

Congratulations to Rio Americano graduate Jelan Gentry, who came out at 15, overcame homelessness and decided live life as his truest self. Jelan is the ACSA Region 3 winner of the 2019 ACSA Every Stu

Keannu Linnell was Mr. All-American. He was a three-sport athlete including quarterback at Lathrop High. But in December of 2016, Keannu was diagnosed with brain cancer. Find out how he overcame insur

Thank you to everyone who made this day of honoring our incredible Every Student Succeeding winners possible! Check out their inspiring stories on our YouTube ESS playlist!

“It’s an honor to serve as the leader of a school that has students that look like me. And more importantly, students that have a similar background or experience. You have the empathy piece because

Jamie Geng is one of the most talented students to walk through the doors of Westview High in San Diego. She’s an AP student. She’s a musician. But she might be most proud of her time as president of

She is only eleven years old but Joey Drake is wise beyond her years. Born with cerebral palsy, Joey faced her fair share of challenges growing up. But she refused to let her condition dictate her dai

Beatriz Vasquez estimates she’s spent more time at the hospital than at her school. But through it all, Beatriz has always made time for her education. Beatriz was born with a ventricular septal defe

The fact that Luis Diaz is alive right now, let alone a high school graduate, is nothing short of miraculous. He was born in Mexico but moved to the United States when he was five years old. He suffer

“We all have a part. And basically, it’s cheerleading. It’s kicking them in the butt and saying ‘Come on. Let’s go.’ But we are family here. And with us being family, we surround.” - Goodwill Educati

In November of 2013, Carson found his bright future very much in doubt when he began experiencing muscle weakness on the soccer field. After a battery of tests and several misdiagnoses, doctors told C

Stella Linardi knows what some people may think of her. As an undocumented immigrant, she says she often finds herself trying to prove her worth. Born in Indonesia, Stella and her family immigrated t

It is such a simple gesture. “Every morning I go in and I say hello to my teachers. ‘How was your weekend?’” Rocklin High junior Francisco Marquez said. “‘How was your day so far? How was your mornin

Nothing can prepare you for the death of a parent, especially when it’s unexpected. No one knows that better than Mariana Thomas. On February 19, 2013, Mario Thomas died after suffering serious injuri

Federico Hernandez does not want your sympathy. He does not want your pity. He simply wants to be treated like everyone else. “He does not want to be associated with having a visual impairment,” Temp