Setting Free Their Thoughts Teens Use Tough Experiences To Win Ewu Writing Contest

In his 15 years at the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center, Rafael Gray has seen many sad stories. “A lot of times,” said the juvenile corrections officer, “we see all the bad stuff.”

Broken homes, repeat offenders, deaths. It can wear you down and burn you out, he said.

Then something uplifting happened. Dignity came from an unlikely place.

The African American Education program at Eastern Washington University sponsored an essay contest. The topic was dignity. Two residents of the detention center submitted essays. Both won honorable mentions and will attend the Black History Month Banquet tonight at the Spokane Ag Trade Center.

Ahleigh Rhodes and Emmanuel Sullivan, both 17, were shocked. Neither expected any recognition.

“In my 15 years, it’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this,” Gray said.

Rhodes is out on probation for an assault charge and already has a dress picked out for the event. Sullivan is still awaiting sentencing for an indecent liberties charge. Judge Neal Q. Rielly signed an order allowing Sullivan to attend the ceremony.

“Is this unusual? You bet it is,” Rielly said. But when given a chance to reinforce a positive experience that could help a youth turn around, and the community’s not at risk, he said he’s all for it.

The staff also received permission to escort Sullivan without using handcuffs or leg restraints. They felt it was important considering the essay topic was dignity.

“It’s extremely unusual to have those students participate, that’s what’s so exciting,” said Nancy Nelson, director of Eastern’s African American Education program.

It all started so simply.

Michelle Caird, a member of the detention center administration, saw the contest announcement in The Spokesman-Review and showed it to Gray. He handed it to teachers who run classrooms for inmates. It wasn’t presented as an assignment, but the staff pointed out how a paper would look good in their records. It could sway a judge or a probation officer.

Sullivan and Rhodes began writing inside cramped cells and later typed their essays on a computer.

Rhodes drew from her experience of living on the Los Angeles streets for two years. She titled her paper, “You Saw Me Then, But Look At Me Now (What a Difference Dignity Makes!)”

She reflected on the time she spent watching people hurrying by with dignity and purpose on their faces. She wanted what they had, even though she didn’t know how to get it.

`I have come a long ways from those days,” she wrote. “And I still have an even longer way to go.”

She let Gray read her paper.

“I was blown away,” he said. He posted a copy of an early draft on a detention center bulletin board that’s still up today. He made copies and showed it to more people. “Whoever I can get to read this, should read it,” he said. “Whenever we have success stories in detention, we try to get as much attention as possible.”

Word spread fast. Everyone wanted to hear from her.

Although embarrassed, Rhodes agreed to appear at a staff meeting and read her essay.

“Everyone stood up and clapped,” Rhodes said, thinking back.

Staff members saw a change in her and how other inmates dealt with her.

While waiting in a lunch line, another occupant - a stranger really - complimented her paper.

“I didn’t really expect people to congratulate me on it,” Rhodes said.

She knew going in that other competing entries were written by students with more schooling. But for this topic, she said, her street smarts seemed more valuable than technical skill.

“It’s got to come from the heart, not from the book,” she said.

Sullivan saw the quick notoriety Rhodes gained. He finished his essay at the last moment.

Gray knew Sullivan could write well, and the quiet inmate wrote a paper about his urge to help people and his desire to better himself.

“It is those who learn after their mistakes and try to do better who have dignity,” Sullivan wrote.

Both got word of their honors a couple of weeks ago.

Rhodes is now living with her grandmother and working at a fast-food restaurant. She hopes to earn her high school equivalency soon. Sullivan is still spending his nights in a two-bunk cell. He hopes to join the military one day to help fund his way through college.

Both are a little private, but their story has been pushed by supporters.

“When you have youths who have been in trouble, and they take the initiative to respond and do it well, you want people to know,” said Nelson. “These are kids who people say are so bad, but look at what they can do.”

Two sidebars appeared with the story: 1. ONLINE Read the essays Read the winning essays online beginning Sunday. Go to www.spokane.net/sections/ourgen

2. AWARDS Winning essays Nine students were honored in the Black History Month Essay Contest sponsored by Eastern Washington University’s African American Education program. Winners and runners-up were chosen in four categories. More than 200 entries were received. Winners: Travis Sewell, student, Eastern Washington University Slavik Kaprian, senior, Lewis and Clark High School Janelle Thornton, ninth-grader, Riverside High School Casey Williams-Carr, fifth-grader, Betz Elementary School Runner-ups: Kathy Otis, sophomore, Lewis and Clark High B. Chad Austin, eighth-grader, East Valley Middle School Briann January, sixth-grader, Grant Elementary School Honorable Mention: Ahleigh Rhodes, Emmanuel Sullivan