GANGSTER-TURNED-GRAD STUDENT THANKS TEACHERS FOR LIFE CHANGE.

Byline: BRENT HOPKINS Staff Writer

PORTER RANCH -- Dorly Goodman looked at the kid with the shaved head and tattooed arms and saw potential.

More than a decade ago, when Goodman taught economics and government at Cleveland High School, Mario Corona was her pupil. He did the homework she assigned and led a violent street gang.

She pushed him to do more, and he did.

On Tuesday, Corona, a twice-shot Pacoima Criminal, reformed delinquent, community advocate and master's degree holder from the University of Southern California, told Goodman ``thank you.''

Before an audience of law enforcement officials and religious and community leaders at the San Fernando Valley Faith Committee's annual community summit, the gangster-turned-grad student tearfully paid tribute to Goodman and his former history professor, Richard McMillan.

The Faith Committee, a coalition of religious denominations, used the summit to encourage greater cooperation between advocacy groups and police, with Corona's turnaround as a central example of success. The ex-gangster deflected any praise and instead thanked his teachers, starting with Goodman.

``Growing up in Pacoima, I didn't know a single soul who went to college,'' Corona said. ``My stereotype was that it was just for middle- class Caucasians. She told me there was something more.''

Corona, 29, once known on the streets as ``Big Spider,'' has grown out his hair and covered his Pacas tattoo with a cardinal-colored shirt from USC. He served time in jail, survived two bullet wounds to the chest and renounced his gang ties in favor of academics five years ago.

He now works for Communities in Schools, a North Hills-based gang intervention and neighborhood advocacy organization, finding jobs for kids in circumstances not unlike the ones he faced. Addressing the crowd, he spoke emotionally of the difficulties of reaching out to gangsters and thanked his mentor, William ``Blinky'' Rodriguez.

It was the fiery ex-karate champion Rodriguez, Communities In Schools' executive director, who showed Corona a different path. It was McMillan who challenged Corona to get an associate degree from Pierce College, then a bachelor's from California State University, Northridge, then a master's in social work from USC. And it was Goodman who started it all when she noticed the tough-looking kid in the dark sunglasses and told him he was a smart guy who could make something of his life.

``It wasn't anything I did, it was who he was,'' said Goodman, who still teaches at Cleveland. ``He had his homework done and respect for the Constitution. He helped me out. When someone like him takes an interest in class, the other kids sit up and pay attention.''

The congregations that make up the Faith Committee convened the morning conclave at Shepherd of the Hills church to forge a partnership among community groups like Corona's, religious support organizations and law enforcement. Sheriff Lee Baca and an array of Los Angeles Police Department brass spoke of the need for unity in their efforts to combat gang crime and assaults on police officers.

``We encourage (our deputies) to run around in police cars, do as many things as they can and kick a little butt,'' Baca said, quickly apologizing for using the phrase inside a church. ``We want to show a little heart. ... We know we're tough, but that's not the point. The point is: Do we have the strength to join hands with you?''

It was in that spirit, years ago, that the teachers reached out to Corona. On Tuesday, they saw the result of their faith in the gold-embossed certificates the Faith Committee had printed and the humbled ex-gangster who handed them over.

``I'm proud of what I've done, but I'm more proud of Mario and what he's accomplished,'' McMillan said afterward. ``On those days when you're out there, swinging, wondering if what you do matters, you think of Mario and you know it does.''

brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com

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William ``Blinky'' Rodriguez, left, professor Richard McMillan, Mario Corona, and teacher Dorly Goodman are honored Tuesday during the Faith Committee's annual meeting at Shepherd of the Hills church in Porter Ranch. The coalition of religious denominations used the summit to encourage greater cooperation between advocacy groups and police.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer