A Picture Worth a Thousand Triumphs: STAY FLY Youth Celebrate Milestone with Senior Portraits
Caps. Gowns. The flash of a camera. The nervous smile before your name is called. The photo your family frames, the one that hangs on the wall for years to come.
For many, graduation season is filled with these iconic moments—senior portraits, prom, a senior trip, a final walk across the stage. These are the rites of passage that mark the end of one chapter and the hopeful beginning of another.
But for too many youth impacted by the justice system, these milestones never come.
Some miss out because they’ve aged out of the traditional school system. Others are focused on surviving—balancing reentry, housing, healing, and trying to finish their education on a delayed timeline. Prom isn’t even on the radar. Senior portraits are a luxury they can’t afford. And graduation, for some, feels like a dream they might not reach.
Many of our young people in the STAY FLY program—a program dedicated to supporting transition-aged youth (TAY) youth over 18 who no longer receive support that juveniles do—have navigated challenges most of us can only imagine.
At FLY, we believe in rewriting that narrative.
On May 1, 2025, four STAY FLY youth walked into a professional studio in West Oakland to take the senior portraits they never had the chance to get—until now.
It started with a simple idea. Adriana, a FLY staff member, had tried to schedule a senior photo session for one of our youth through a local school. When the appointment fell through, she recognized a broader need: many of our youth don’t get to experience traditional milestones like senior portraits, prom, or graduation ceremonies. These missed moments are common when young people are navigating reentry, work, education, and housing—all while healing from past trauma.
Adriana shared her idea with the team. “So many of our youth work hard to complete school on a delayed timeline. They still deserve this moment.” From there, things moved quickly.
Our Communications Manager, Diana, helped bring the vision to life, coordinating a photo session in partnership with YouthBeat and our Content Creator Fellows—justice-impacted youth trained in media production. YouthBeat generously offered their studio space, and our fellows supported with filming, photography, and set-up.
The day began at FLY’s Alameda County office, where youth got ready in a relaxed prep space with breakfast and support from volunteers. Caps and gowns were ready—some decorated years ago, waiting for this moment. Youth stepped in front of the camera not just to pose, but to be seen and celebrated.
Daniel, looking at himself in the mirror before the shoot, said quietly, “I never thought I’d wear one of these.” Liz brought a cap she had decorated years earlier, unsure if she’d ever use it. Josh and Jordan, friends since kindergarten, suited up together—marking not only their graduation, but a long-standing friendship they’ve carried through.
Meet the graduates →
Throughout the day, our Content Creator Fellows captured it all—lifting up their peers behind the scenes, helping them feel confident in front of the lens. It was a team effort powered by care, intention, and a belief that every young person deserves to be recognized for their achievements.
The experience set a standard for how we celebrate educational milestones at FLY. It was a meaningful reminder: our youth are more than their challenges—they’re graduates, professionals in the making, and leaders with a future.
Why It Matters
In California, incarcerated youth are less than half as likely to earn a high school diploma. That statistic often translates into reduced job prospects and lower lifelong earnings. But FLY youth are beating the odds: over 80% achieve their educational goals—whether that’s a diploma, a GED, or continuing education.
Graduation is more than a credential. It’s a turning point. And this photo session made that achievement tangible—something to be remembered, shared, and held onto for years to come.