From legal troubles to law enforcement goals, another chance at a high school diploma offers one student new career options
Years ago, Anthony Hinton attended Fontana High School and was set to graduate with the class of 2008. Before he got a chance to put on his cap and gown, however, Hinton dropped out and missed the chance to earn his high school diploma.
After years getting in and out of legal trouble, Hinton finally decided it was time to return to school in pursuit of better career options.
He enrolled at Fontana Adult School (FAS) in April 2024, where he recently completed high school diploma classes. The school, which serves students in San Bernardino County and the surrounding area, offers English as a second language (ESL) classes, citizenship preparation, and career pathway programs.
Hinton feels lucky to have been able to go back and earn his diploma, working alongside some of the same teachers and staff who worked at Fontana High School when he last was a student.
“I’ve changed my life by staying out of trouble and being a law abiding citizen. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
Anthony Hinton, Fontana Adult School High School Graduate
“It’s a blessing to go back and finish,” Hinton says. “The Fontana Adult School staff are wonderful people. They bend over backwards to help you with your education and get you to find your career path.”
Alongside his hard work and determination, Hinton credits the support of his mom and sister for helping him attain the diploma he had forsaken as a teenager.
Now, as Hinton awaits his cap and gown ceremony, he attends Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, where he is a criminal justice student working toward an associate degree in correctional science. His long-term goal is to work in law enforcement, vastly different from where he once was in his life.
“I’ve been through the juvenile hall, jail, and prison system,” Hinton says. “I have changed my life by staying out of trouble and being a law-abiding citizen. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
By working in law enforcement, Hinton says he can be a mentor to others and “keep the bad people in jail and protect the community.” He views his experience with the justice system and his familial connections as inspirations for pursuing his desired career.
“My cousin was a sheriff’s deputy for years, so that’s why I wanted to get into it,” Hinton says. “It’s a good career and a good path. I want to try to help people.”
Hinton envisions his future career going in many directions: He could be a police officer, a correctional officer, or a parole agent. On track to graduate from Chaffey College in 2027, Hinton has plans to get a job at Corcoran State Prison with the Department of Corrections.
Hinton’s ultimate dream, however, is to become a homicide investigator. He floated the possibility of one day attending a university to gain a degree in forensic science.
His big career ambitions are rooted in his experience at the Fontana Adult School.
“Anybody who wants to get their high school diploma, that’s the school to go to,” Hinton says. “They’re a great help and they have all the tools and all the resources to help you.”
For more information on Fontana Adult School’s high school diploma program, visit https://www.fusd.net/adultschool.
Written by Jimmy Flynn
| Regions | Classes & Topics |
|---|---|
| Southern California | High School – Justice-Involved |
