Man Sentenced To College Instead Of Prision Works To Complete First Semester
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: November 15, 2012
There's a lot riding on the line for John Dunn to pass his classes this semester.
In fact- failing could mean up to 20 years behind bars.
Instead hes behind a desk, an opportunity he calls a second chance.
"I didn't deserve it but I'm glad it was given to me," said Dunn.
Dunn must graduate by 2018 as a part of his court sentence.
He'll admit hes already had his challenges.
"There's a few assignments that I slipped on and I didn't make the grades that I was expected to," he said.
But he's quick to remember where he should be.
"I realized I wasn't locked up and I was out here so it definitely made sense for me to get on it," he said.
His friends and tutors make sure hes making the grade.
"I never thought my tutoring would be this important to anyone so its quite important to be helping him move up in life," said Casey Hurt, who has been tutoring him since he first started at Cisco College.
"There's been times when he's wanted to fall back on his own habit and I've told him not to," said Dakota Sullivan, who met Dunn during orientation and quickly befriended him.
But it's up to him to maintain the required 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and stay out of trouble.
The difference this time around is that he's got a few more friends who believe in him.
"With his background it's going to be hard for him but, I believe that he can pull through," said Sullivan.
"Its God, maybe it wasn't meant for me to go to prison and I just don't think it was," said Dunn.
So the pressure it on to pass as his first semester wraps up, after that, only ten 10 more to go.
Dunn has to constantly report to his probation officer and show him proof that he's passing his classes.
He could face prison time if he doesn't maintain the proper GPA or violates his terms of probation.
Dunn says he plans on transferring to ACU as soon as he finishes his general requirements.
He plans on studying law there.
In fact- failing could mean up to 20 years behind bars.
Instead hes behind a desk, an opportunity he calls a second chance.
"I didn't deserve it but I'm glad it was given to me," said Dunn.
Dunn must graduate by 2018 as a part of his court sentence.
He'll admit hes already had his challenges.
"There's a few assignments that I slipped on and I didn't make the grades that I was expected to," he said.
But he's quick to remember where he should be.
"I realized I wasn't locked up and I was out here so it definitely made sense for me to get on it," he said.
His friends and tutors make sure hes making the grade.
"I never thought my tutoring would be this important to anyone so its quite important to be helping him move up in life," said Casey Hurt, who has been tutoring him since he first started at Cisco College.
"There's been times when he's wanted to fall back on his own habit and I've told him not to," said Dakota Sullivan, who met Dunn during orientation and quickly befriended him.
But it's up to him to maintain the required 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and stay out of trouble.
The difference this time around is that he's got a few more friends who believe in him.
"With his background it's going to be hard for him but, I believe that he can pull through," said Sullivan.
"Its God, maybe it wasn't meant for me to go to prison and I just don't think it was," said Dunn.
So the pressure it on to pass as his first semester wraps up, after that, only ten 10 more to go.
Dunn has to constantly report to his probation officer and show him proof that he's passing his classes.
He could face prison time if he doesn't maintain the proper GPA or violates his terms of probation.
Dunn says he plans on transferring to ACU as soon as he finishes his general requirements.
He plans on studying law there.
