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Tag: class of 2024

  • University of Maryland seniors invite Class of 2024 to ‘prom we never had’ to make up for pandemic year – WTOP News

    University of Maryland seniors invite Class of 2024 to ‘prom we never had’ to make up for pandemic year – WTOP News

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    A global pandemic robbed them of their senior proms. Now that they’re seniors again, these college students in Maryland thought it’s time they get their moment.

    After three separate ticket drops, the event sold out before May 10.
    (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    WTOP/Matt Kaufax

    Attendees wore their best prom night clothes.
    (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    WTOP/Matt Kaufax

    University of Maryland seniors take photos outside of their make-up prom.
    (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    WTOP/Matt Kaufax

    University of Maryland senior has photo taken at her make-up prom.
    (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    WTOP/Matt Kaufax

    Senior council president Omoleye Adeyemi on stage at the prom on Friday night.
    (left)

    left

    People celebrating on a dance floor
    University of Maryland seniors dance the night away at the “prom they never had” after missing out on their high school proms due to the pandemic.
    (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    WTOP/Matt Kaufax

    A global pandemic robbed them of their senior proms. Now that they’re seniors again, University of Maryland students thought it’s time they get their moment.

    “We didn’t have graduation, we didn’t have prom, we didn’t have a lot of things. So we kind of wanted to backtrack and give students the opportunity … to have the prom they never had,” senior council president Omoleye Adeyemi told WTOP.

    She said Friday night was all about taking their proms back from COVID-19.

    “It’s kind of like that ‘finally’ feeling, because we finally get to have it,” Adeyemi said. “But it’s also nostalgic because it takes them back to high school.”

    After three separate ticket drops, the event sold out before May 10. Seniors gathered for this unique farewell in the grand ballroom of the Stamp Student Union building in College Park, wearing their best prom night clothes.

    “It’s really nice to know that the UMD community is thinking of seniors and what we missed out on four years ago,” said senior Peggy Mothershed. She attended with her best friend and fellow senior class member, Savanna Janney.

    “We’re going to have a great time!” Savanna said enthusiastically. And that enthusiastic attitude was contagious.

    “This is a school-sponsored event, so we’re going to keep it safe,” senior Chris Esmele joked. “But after this, as grown-ups, we’re able to really party in a way … to get that prom we never got.”

    Esmele also said this prom feels even better, because of the closer bonds he has with some of his college friends.

    “Whether you’re here with your partner or with friends, it feels more foundational in terms of relationships, and that’s what makes tonight special,” he said.

    “It’s kind of a full circle moment tonight,” added Mothershed.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Matt Kaufax

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  • Vanguard University class of 2024 reflects on college years impacted by pandemic

    Vanguard University class of 2024 reflects on college years impacted by pandemic

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    COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) — The class of 2024 at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa has achieved a milestone many of the 542 graduate and undergrad students didn’t know was going to look like.

    Some of these students graduated high school in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Among them, Dyane Velazquez, who gets to experience a commencement ceremony for the first time.

    “Pure excitement, pure happiness. I know for sure I think I’ll have tears of joy,” Velazquez said. “I did not get a graduation like today – in-person and all. I had a virtual one at first, and then they also had one as a drive-thru.”

    Vanguard University President Dr. Michael Beals is proud of how the students were able to persevere.

    “The dedication and resilience of these students and of these families to be able to graduate, and most of them graduated in four years, is super significant,” Beals said.

    Over 35% of graduating class is also first-generation.

    Anita Rotich was the graduate class student speaker during Thursday’s ceremony.

    “I made a sacrifice leaving my family in Kenya. and I trusted God that there would be a community at Vanguard to hold me. And there was,” she said.

    Velazquez’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico.

    “I’m the first in my family to get my bachelor’s degree in the United States, so it’s a huge accomplishment and I’m very proud to be here today,” Velazquez said.

    This graduating class dealt with unprecedented obstacles and overcame every challenge.

    Beals believes they’re ready to tackle whatever is thrown their way.

    “I think they were called upon to dig deep in a really turbulent time and in a time of greater uncertainty than I think maybe any students have experienced in this generation,” he said.

    Velazquez’s bachelor’s degree in biology gets her one step closer to becoming a pediatric oncologist.

    She hopes her classmates never forget this experience and keep pushing toward their goals.

    “I would say to keep going and believe in yourself,” she said.

    Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

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    David González

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