Six inmates at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center graduated from Western Nevada College’s welding program on Tuesday.
Photo by Faith Evans.
Wearing sneakers and blue denim underneath black graduation robes, six inmates at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City turned their tassels Tuesday. All graduated with their welding certification through Western Nevada College.
During his graduation speech, valedictorian Shane Johnson said, “Don’t box yourself in. The world is going to do that already.” (Photo: Faith Evans/Nevada Appeal) Valedictorian Shane Johnson told a crowd of family members and friends that he couldn’t have done it without the instructors and staff who paved the way for him. He said attending WNC shifted his focus from doing time to creating a future.
“Don’t box yourself in. The world is going to do that already,” he told his fellow graduates.
Johnson has been welding for a decade but started his certification program with WNC in 2019. During the pandemic, when instructor Randy Naylor couldn’t visit NDOC, Johnson took over as a teacher’s assistant and taught welding classes for his peers.
He said that he’s been in the Department of Corrections system for 19 years, but he already has a handful of companies interested in hiring him upon his release. He’d like to eventually pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Marc Fraide accepts his degree from WNC Interim President Kyle Dalpe. He graduated summa cum laude with an associate of applied science in welding. (Photo: Faith Evans/Nevada Appeal) WNC Interim President Kyle Dalpe spoke to the added challenge of finishing a degree during the pandemic. He said that everyone, including NDOC inmates, had to “pivot.”
“Pivoting is like water going down a slope. It finds a path no matter what obstacle is in the way,” he said.
Djan Fermaint, who was committed to NDOC in 2014, has gone through plenty of pivoting in the last eight years. He married his wife Debbie in December 2021, graduated with his welding certification Tuesday, and plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Theology in Fall 2022 through Louisiana Baptist University.
He’s a veteran of the Navy. According to Debbie Fermaint, Djan hopes to become a pastor and substance abuse counselor once he is released.
“What I enjoyed about (WNC’s welding program) is that it gave me – it gave most people in here – hope,” Fermaint said.
After the ceremony, graduates ditched their gold tassels and medallions to join their family members for hugs, a pizza party, and cake.
Graduates Emmanuel Caballero, Matthew Williams, Shane Johnson, Marc Fraide, Djan Fermaint, and Brian Brown turn their tassels as certified welders. (Photo: Faith Evans/Nevada Appeal) 
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