BIDDEFORD — Eight students who fell through the cracks in a traditional school environment have graduated from YouthBuild Biddeford, and have been given a second chance to find a successful path in life.

“I’d like to say it was an easy road to get here, but I’d be lying to you,” said graduate Zachary Adams.

He said after getting expelled from Saco’s Thornton Academy at age 15, he moved in with his girlfriend. After his girlfriend became pregnant, he decided he wanted to set a good example, and show his family that working hard and having a steady job is important.

He enrolled in YouthBuild with the goal of getting his GED and gaining job skills, and found an interest in carpentry. Adams has enrolled in Southern Maine Community College and will begin classes in January.

YouthBuild Biddeford began early this year, and Adams was among its first eight graduates, six of whom celebrated their accomplishment during a ceremony held Thursday morning at the school’s space at the former Christ Episcopal Church on Crescent Street. The other two graduates were unable to make it, as one had returned to high school and the other was enrolled in classes at York County Community College.

The program offers an alternative education and is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through a partnership between the Biddeford Housing Authority and LearningWorks, a social service organization. LearningWorks also oversees a previously established YouthBuild program in Portland. Through the program, students ages 16 to 24 prepare for the GED, learn job skills, and prepare for college or post-secondary training programs.

Graduate Brooke Riddle said she dropped out of high school during her freshman year at Biddeford High School. She said a three-week stay in jail due to an operating after suspension charge gave her “a wake-up call.” Riddle said she wants her niece and nephew to look up to her, and she will be attending cosmetology school.

Student Russell Brown said he got into trouble a lot before enrolling in YouthBuild. He said the staff at YouthBuild have helped him keep on track. Brown has received his GED and also plans to attend Southern Maine Community College.

“Never, ever give up,” he said.

Ethan Strimling, CEO of LearningWorks, said there are two common notions about success: Some believe that it “takes a village to raise a child,” while others believe people need to pull themselves up by their boot straps.

Strimling said the young people at YouthBuild Biddeford have succeeded by both avenues. The students have taken responsibility for their actions and chosen a new path, and they’ve done so with the support of the school.

Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant, a former Biddeford High School teacher, said in his career in education, he saw extremely talented children fall through the cracks. YouthBuild teaches students the “old-fashioned” skills they need to survive in the workplace, such as teamwork, a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility, he said.

“The world can be tough sometimes,” said Casavant, in his address during the graduation, “but I think you can make it, because you’ve demonstrated right here that you’re something special.”

YouthBuild Biddeford Director Nancy Kopack said Thursday’s graduates were resilient, and not afraid to ask for help to achieve their goals and work toward a better future for themselves.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.