The events season this spring was full and even more festive than usual. My favorites were the three culminating events I attended: our son’s graduation, our commencement at the College, and the Class of 2025’s graduation at the high school whose board I sit on. These culminating events were adrenaline-filled, exciting, and as meaningful for those who helped the achievers reach those milestones as they were for those who attained them.
Our son’s graduation was, of course, my favorite. In our nuclear family, he is the first to graduate from a fancy private high school. We had family who traveled from other states to experience the many graduation activities and celebrate with our beloved young man. Since birth, our sweet baby boy has been exceeding expectations with care, discipline, love, and compassion for others. It was a real treat to watch him receive his diploma and hear from his teachers and advisors how much of a delight he was. Meeting his friends and celebrating with those we already knew were also special treats. Hard to believe, but we now have an adult child. We are officially old!
Our commencement at Urban College was so special this year. As this was my second year, I knew the rhythm of the College and knew what to expect. The electric energy of a graduating class of primarily first-generation students was contagious. As a result, I turned the volume on high for them. There is something magical about celebrating a significant milestone like college graduation for students for whom college has not been a legacy. A number of our students have seen generations unable to attempt college, or attempt and not graduate, but they finally made it. That sense of accomplishment, the elation, and the weight of achieving that feat leads to a flood of emotions rushing in. We see it before the ceremony officially starts and after students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The emotions at the graduation at the high school whose board I sit on had some similarities to the College. The joy of the graduates and their families was palpable. Some of the students were the first to graduate from high school in their families. Some were the first to be heading to college. Others came from immigrant families and their graduation marked a new family milestone. Others had overcome obstacles to make it to that stage. They had all completed the first of many milestones that await them.
In all, this commencement season highlighted so many firsts for so many graduates and loved ones. It reminded me of the importance of taking time to celebrate sacrifices, lessons learned, hard work, and the love and support of others even for what may appear to be small accomplishments. A high school graduation, a certificate or Associate degree completion may not seem monumental to some, but for so many it holds deep significance.
