"I have the honor of conducting the first graduation," Judge Samuel McVey told the graduates, family, friends and other probation drug court participants. "I'm particularly impressed (at) where these folks started out. They were basically on their way to prison, and this may be the hardest thing they've done in their lives."

Each man was presented with a certificate and small gift, then asked what they'd learned.

"That you guys are smarter than I am," Staheli said, looking at Lewis and his other mentors. "Life's a lot better on the other side."

"Any advice for the other clients?" Lewis asked.

He looked out at those gathered, "They're smarter than you," he said, getting a chuckle from the audience.

Staheli's wife, Nannette, watched eagerly, holding the couple's baby, 1 1/2-year-old Brooklyn.

"It's amazing," she said. "It's a cool experience to have him complete this. He's struggled this for a long, long time."

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com