From San Mateo County

SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. – May 30, 2025 – On May 28^th, the San Mateo County Youth Services Center – Juvenile Hall proudly celebrated its 2025 graduates! Eight inspiring young men and women, together with their families marked the occasion with pride, elation, and hope for the future. Each youth proudly wore their purple gown and customized cap and tassel. Three of the graduates were conferred college degrees through San Mateo County Probation’s partnership with Project Change’s Rising Scholars Program. Two young men graduated Cum Laude and will be transferring to San Francisco State University.

The ceremony saw a strong turnout from various corners of the community. Probation and behavioral health staff, attorneys and Honorable Judge Susan Etezadi were all in attendance, standing alongside the youth and their families to recognize this important achievement. Each youth had the opportunity to walk the stage, shake all the guest speakers’ hand, and received their diploma from the hand of school principal.

Once the graduation ceremony concluded, the youth and supporting family members had the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and take pictures. The graduates, beaming with pride, each presented a family member with a bouquet of flowers—a touching gesture that highlighted the deep emotional connections behind their accomplishments. The joy on the graduates’ faces was unmistakable, and their personalized, decorated caps added a colorful and creative touch to the ceremony.

This graduation was more than just a ceremony—it was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with perseverance, support, and belief. Celebrating these moments reinforces to the youth that their hard work matters, and their futures are full of possibility.

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