Pasadena Honors Another Hero

Raul Zarate, 28, of Pasadena celebrates his graduation from Cal State University Los Angeles for receiving a BA in sociology, the celebration took place at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

A family member brings balloons for Raul Zarate, congratulating him for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles with a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Family and Friends take part in a drive by celebration for Raul Zarate congratulating him for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles with a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Raul Zarate, 28, of Pasadena gives thanks for all the support he received graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles receiving a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Friends of Raul Zarate take part in his graduation celebration congratulating him for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles with a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Family and Friends take part in a drive by celebration for Raul Zarate congratulating him for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles receiving a BA in sociology at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The mother of Raul Zarate brings him flowers on his graduation day celebration, congratulating him for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles with a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Friends of Raul Zarate take part in his graduation celebration day congratulating him for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles with a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Raul Zarate, 28, of Pasadena hugs his friend after graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles with a BA in sociology, at Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Family and Friends take part in a drive by celebration for Raul Zarate for graduating from Cal State University Los Angeles for receiving a BA in sociology in front of Learning Works in Pasadena, Friday, May 15, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Raul Zarate knows a little bit about bad luck, but he also knows a lot about good luck.

Growing up in an at-risk gang environment, Zarate eventually succumbed to the temptations of The Life, and ended up incarcerated as a minor for 9 years of a 16-year prison sentence.

His sentence was eventually commuted by Governor Jerry Brown, and he entered Cal State LA to major in sociology. For the last three years, he has worked at Pasadena’s LearningWorks, mentoring at-risk youth like himself.

Zarate is graduating from Cal State LA this semester with a 4.0 GPA, and like every graduating student in America, he won’t see a graduation ceremony. He also missed his middle school and high school graduations.

But his friends at Learning Works weren’t about to let the occasion go by without a celebration. Summoned to a noon meeting Friday afternoon, he noticed a noisy commotion outside his office window.

“I saw police cars, and lots of cars, and went outside to check it out,” he told Pasadena Now. It was, of course, his own private parade and graduation ceremony.

As media trucks lined Walnut Street, a parade of decorated cars drove by to honor Zarate, honking their horns and waving and shouting.

“I feel so blessed,” said Zarate. “I’ve never had a surprise like this in my life, and it just meant so much to me. I’ve had some bad luck, and this was just so great.”

Representatives from a number of local community agencies and non-profits took part in the noisy festive parade, which was led by Zarate’s parents.

Who needs a crowded auditorium when your personal graduation ceremony is just rolling down the street in front of work?

Learning Works Charter School, 90 N. Daisy Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 564-8762 or visit https://www.publicworksinc.org/lw/.