I didn't order a cap and gown for my graduation ceremony. When the grad fair rolled around, classes had already been held over Zoom so I was running with the assumption graduation would be too. Soon, the announcement of all in-person commencement ceremonies moving to virtual events came. It was a bit expected, given the coronavirus closures and social distancing, but still made me think about how special the celebration could have been.
However, it's a comfort to know no one is suffering alone, all 2020 graduates must be feeling the same way. To make the best out of staying at home during the celebrations, Arizona State University is offering a chance to design our own slide as part of our virtual ceremony. While it's funny, I appreciate the chance to take some pictures and share some words I wouldn't have gotten a chance to if it were in person.
The invitations for our special ceremonies once were limited, but now such restraint has diminished entirely. If you have family out of the country or some that we're unable to attend physical ceremonies, then the opportunities to share this moment increase a tenfold when held online. Part of moving through these weeks at home happily is contributing to positive outlooks on the situation you're in, even if they are minimal.
When it came to uploading a formal photo for our slides, what's more relative nowadays than sitting in a comfy chair, eyes committed to our screens and trying to keep a smile from breaking. Withstanding the heat is a big part of being an Arizonan, so we moved the iPhone photoshoot outside and just let it happen.
Eventually, I want professional photos to reflect on this milestone, but until then all any of us can do is roll with the punches and think about what a big achievement this is! I can't wait to see what the next few weeks are like. More importantly, I can't wait to celebrate finally earning my bachelor's degree from a university and creating a reality that my younger self could only ever dream of.
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