WNCC graduates 23 prison inmates; company honors lemonade day with donations

Although not typical college students, a small group of inmates at four Northern Nevada correctional centers have had a reason to celebrate in the past few weeks. Western Nevada Community College awarded degrees and certificates to 23 incarcerated students at the Lovelock Correctional Center, Nevada State Prison, Northern Nevada Correctional Center and Warm Springs Correctional Center.

The men were of all ages and walks of life, and hailed from many different communities, but they shared a strong common bond - attaining a college degree. The graduates wore caps and gowns and marched into the prison visitors rooms to the orchestral sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance" being played on a portable CD player.

Student speakers took the chance to congratulate their fellow graduates on their monumental accomplishment, and in some of the prisons, ice cream and cake were allowed for the graduates and family members who attended.

At the Lovelock ceremony on Thursday, WNCC Prison Education Coordinator Rick VanAusdal reminded the students that with each degree they earn while incarcerated, statistics show that they are less and less likely to return to prison.

In honor of National Lemonade Day on Aug. 20, Hot Dog on a Stick, will donate 10 percent of all lemonade sales that day to Alex's Lemonade Stand, an organization supporting research for childhood cancer.

The mission of the nonprofit organization is to raise money for combating childhood cancer. The organization encourages others to hold lemonade stands across the country to raise funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand.

It was created by the father of Alex, a young girl who died of cancer.

Alex's family and supporters are committed to continuing her legacy until a cure for pediatric cancers is found.

For more information, go to www.alexslemonade.org.