Commencement for my graduating students was a staged affair, without the stage. While the intentions were honorable, the online version lacked the pizzazz and emotion of the special day for these wonderful kids.
There were no pre-event celebrations, no hugs nor group photographs. No champagne toasts, no euphoria, no dancing across the stage to collect their well deserved diplomas.
I found myself choked up about the missed festivities. These kids earned it, they deserved it, and then this stupid pandemic thing happened.
Graduation is an important rites of passage for all of us, taking on a greater meaning when some of these kids are the first in their family to go to college. I am so proud of these young men and women.
While they may have missed their special day, the world is their oyster, and they will be fine in the long run. I wish them well, and celebrate, in my heart, their many accomplishments.
About Hemant Rustogi