CASSOPOLIS — Thursday afternoon, Elkhart residents Charity Brooks and Michelle Garcia stood inside of a small classroom in Cassopolis, surrounded by their teachers and those who supported them. As their names were called, the pair went up to the front of the room, receiving a blue diploma case as they moved a tassel from one side of their caps to the other. The scene was like any other graduation ceremony except for the bright orange jail uniforms that peeked out from underneath their, white robes.

Cass County Jail inmates Garcia, 26, and Brooks, 38, received their high school diplomas after celebrating their graduation from jail’s adult education program.

The pair, who are in jail on firearm larceny charges, had been working in the program since March.

“I’m very excited, very blessed, very thankful for the opportunity,” Garcia said. “It’s a great motivator.”

The jail education program allows inmates to attend classes and complete work toward a high school diploma. According to Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke, the fact that the Cass County program allows inmates to pursue high school diplomas is unique — many similar education programs in other counties and states put students on track toward a GED.

Having a high school diploma makes it easier for graduates to apply for college, said Helene Hoover, who has been a teacher with the jail education program for 19 years.

Behnke, Hoover and other representatives with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Cassopolis Public Schools stood Thursday morning and offered a round of applause for Garcia and Brooks.

Hoover said the graduation was a time worth celebrating as completing the program takes a great deal of hard work, motivation and discipline.

“There were times when they were ready to throw it in and quit,” the teacher recalled Thursday. “But then we would start again, and I’m so glad you did. I’m so happy to have you. It’s your time to shine. You can bask in the knowledge that you did it — not only that you could, but you did.”

For Garcia and Brooks, the education program offered them a chance to make something of their time and give themselves an opportunity for a better life once they leave jail.

“We knew we were going to be here a while, and there is no better way to do your time than to actually do something with your time and get an education,” Garcia said of why she decided to complete the program.

Today, both Garcia and Brooks are up for sentencing. Though they are hoping for a verdict of time served, they expect to be out of jail before Christmas, no matter what. They said that — along with their new diplomas — is the best Christmas present they could ask for.

“We are excited,” Brooks said.

“We are very, very excited,” Garcia jumped in. “It’s been a long nine months here, but we have made the best of it, of course.”

Once they are released, both women said they plan to continue their education in college. Garcia is hoping to study graphic design, while Brooks is still undecided.

While the women are excited to leave jail behind and take advantage of the opportunities their education will afford them, they have just one concern: the other women in the jail. Over the past several months, the pair had convinced other women in their block to participate in classes and worked to motivate them to complete their work. Now that Garcia and Brooks are on their way out, they worry the other women will not continue with the education program. However, they are hopeful that some women will continue and be able to be a part of the next graduation ceremony.

“For us, it’s like a little family back there, and we are trying to encourage women to keep on coming,” Garcia said. “It’s a great opportunity.”