A graduate at last

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Mark Griswold had a happy marriage, two beautiful

daughters and his own successful business.

The one thing the 33-year-old didn’t have was a high school diploma --

until last week.

Having survived the death of his mother when he was 10 and a 7-year drug

habit, the Huntington Beach resident said he finally feels a sense of

accomplishment.

Griswold received his diploma from Huntington Beach Adult School at a

ceremony last week, at which, as valedictorian, he was unanimously chosen

to give the graduation speech. He also earned the school’s outstanding

graduate of the year honor.

As a senior in high school, with only about five more months to go,

Griswold quit after a falling out with his father. He found a job so he

could move out of his father’s home. Soon, he started a lifestyle of

drugs and alcohol abuse that he continued until October 1986, when he

entered a treatment program. Upon a renewed sober life, he got a job at

an electrical business.

“Ironically enough, I started out digging trenches, which Dad always told

me would happen if I didn’t finish high school,” he said.

But he liked his job so much that he stayed. Four years later, he started

Griswold Electric.

With all of his success, Griswold still felt a void. Which is why he went

back to school.

“It took humility because most people we know didn’t realize he hadn’t

graduated,” said his wife, Sandy Griswold.

Most of Griswold’s classmates were at least 10 years younger, even some

teachers were younger.

“He didn’t seem to be fazed,” said Carrie Wall, his math teacher. “He’s a

fighter. He’s taken some difficult circumstances and turned his life

around for the good.”

For a year, Griswold attended classes every Tuesday night, doing more

than his required work and sometimes waking up at 5 a.m. to do it.

Besides personal motivation, Griswold looked to his daughters for further

inspiration.

Many evenings, he’d settle down on the floor to do homework with his

8-year-old daughter, Natalie, who would ask how he did on his tests when

she’d come home from school. Whitney, 12, also appreciated seeing her dad

having to answer to his teachers the way she does herself.

But his children aren’t the only ones that Griswold encouraged.

After the graduation ceremony Thursday, several people from the audience

approached him to ask for help with their own troubled children.

“He’s just a regular guy who doesn’t make a big deal about himself,” said

Kerry Clitheroe, vice principal at the school. “But he gives hope to

other adults.”

Now that a chapter in his life is complete, Griswold said the

possibilities for his future are endless.

“Now on Tuesday nights, I don’t know what to do with myself,” he said.