Capping an achievement

Lauro Franco, 22, right, and Blake Kast listen in their religion class at Grinnell College. Most of the L.A. posse members found opportunities they never would have imagined back in high schools better known for producing dropouts than graduates.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Daniel Zamora walks to his aerobics class on the Grinnell campus. Zamora branched out and built relationships with posse members from Washington, D.C. The students attended the Iowa liberal-arts college through the New York-based Posse Foundation.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

L.A. posse members Evelyn Gándara and Daniel Zamora developed a close friendship at Grinnell College. Gándara found her calling during a summer of study abroad before her senior year. She dreamed of becoming a doctor, and ventured to Ecuador for what she thought would be an internship in a rural hospital. She wound up treating patients.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Valentin Jimenez, 22, and friends listen to rap music as they cruise the town of Grinnell. Jimenez, a track star from Garfield High in East Los Angeles, made Grinnell College’s cross-country varsity team as a freshman — only to suffer a knee injury that sent him into a tailspin.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Founded in 1854, Grinnell, Iowa, has a population of approximately 9,000 and is five square miles in size.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

From left, Evelyn Gándara, Daniel Zamora, an unidentified student, Nikisha Glenn, Lauro Franco and Sandra Herrera share a group hug during the Posse Foundation graduation on May 18, 2008. The students went through graduation ceremonies with the rest of Grinnell College’s senior class the next day.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Daniel Zamora garnishes the steak and potatoes he’s cooked for himself after a long day of school at his apartment in Grinnell. Zamora loves cooking and always prepares nice meals for himself. He jokes that his mother would be embarrassed if he cooked ready-made green beans.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Valentin Jimenez and his friends stop near a railroad crossing after a barbecue on Grinnell College’s south campus. By the end of his senior year, Jimenez was two classes short. He would be allowed to join in graduation ceremonies but would have to make up the course work to receive a diploma.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

In between snapshots, Nikisha Glenn, 21, a graduate of Locke High School in Watts, celebrates with friends and family on the morning of her Grinnell College graduation.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles posse members Jessica Starling, 21, left, and Nikisha Glenn, along with their friend and fellow graduate Chevon Chatman, right, capture the moment before commencement ceremonies at Grinnell College.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Evelyn Gándara, middle, and her fellow classmates toss their caps in celebration after the commencement ceremony at Grinnell College.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Nakeyia Poitier, right, talks to her mother, Tonja Denise Ross, about her experiences at Grinnell College. Poitier studied at the Iowa liberal-arts school off and on for a year before finally choosing to go home. Ross supports her daughter’s decision but thinks she should further pursue her education.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

In the room she shares with her younger sister, Nakeyia Poitier prepares to go out for her father’s birthday dinner. After quiting Grinnell College approximately three years ago, Poitier moved back home with her supportive mother. Poitier’s friends at Grinnell kept pictures of her on their apartment walls and promised to stay in touch, but the phone calls became less frequent.  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)