'Rites of Passage' program honors Sonoma County teens

In front of God and a banquet hall full of people Sunday, Kevin Minor turned up the palms of his hands to his daughter Keviette, a Santa Rosa High School junior resplendent in a tangerine gown.

“I remember holding you with these hands, though I can’t do it now,” said Minor, halting his breath to control the tears of pride. He congratulated Keviette for completing the preparation-for-life program that brought the two of them and nearly 200 others to the elegantly dressed space at the Vineyard Creek Hotel.

Minor hailed the Rites of Passage program as “this prestigious path, this bridge to the future” and told Keviette it will help her on her way as she prepares to become an adult and take on and contribute to the world.

The father assured his daughter, “Your greatness awaits you.”

Among the 11 other Rites of Passage students honored at the graduation dinner was Keviette’s younger sister, Santa Rosa High freshman Cortunay Minor. When her turn came to ascend the ballroom stage, her mother, Evette Minor, told her, “Continue on this positive track, and you will soar.”

The commencement celebration of Rites of Passage, born in 2001 at Santa Rosa’s multicultural Community Baptist Church, was formal, musical, spiritual and joyful. The girls’ gowns and the boys’ tuxedos matched the table accents and the cover of the souvenir program.

It began with a video that featured photos going back to infancy - sink baths, Mickey Mouse ears, grade-school antics - of the 10 girls and two boys in the Class of 2016.

Graduates, parents and directors of Rites of Passage reflected on the central aims of the program.

Co-founded by late Community Baptist Church pastor James E. Coffee and church member and State Farm Insurance executive Shirley Gordon, the eight-month curriculum seeks to mentor, encourage and refine teens 14 to 18.

Students receive coaching, instruction and hands-on experience in the value of money, time management, etiquette, career options, public speaking, nutrition, faithfulness to God, cultural and self awareness and community service.

More than 300 teens have graduated from the program over ?16 years, and each year’s class has been intentionally culturally diverse.

Thanking everyone present Sunday, graduate Joanna Wheedlin, who attends Technology High School on the Sonoma State University campus, said Rites of Passage “really does a affect a lot of people. It affects the whole community.”

Bruce Rhodes took to the stage to congratulate graduate Christian Hosang, his nephew and a student athlete at Cardinal Newman High School. Rhodes said it truly does take a village to successfully raise a child.

He added, “I’m grateful to this village.”

You can reach Staff Writer Chris Smith at 521-5211 or chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com.