Chapman University in California will be hosting six additional graduation ceremonies for students based on their race, national origin, sexual orientation, and other aspects of their identity. According to the Chapman Cross-Cultural Center website, the “cultural graduations” include APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) graduation, black graduation, disability graduation, “latinx” graduation, lavender (LGBTQ) graduation, and…

When a Florida high school senior rear-ended a sheriff’s deputy’s cruiser in a traffic jam, the deputy had an unpredictable response. Rather than book him, she comforted the shaken teen. Apart from that, she also went above and beyond her role and accepted an invitation to his graduation the very next day. Sergeant Kara Vance…

A Pittsburgh teen who was paralyzed three years ago during a football game managed to walk across the stage to receive his diploma at Laurel High School’s graduation ceremony. Hayden Hamilton, 18, a former Spartans player, had been injured during a game late August 2018. While attempting a tackle, the teen suffered a spinal injury, and was…

It was a somber moment for one family from Michigan during a recent high school graduation ceremony in which the father accepted his late teen son’s diploma. Donald Perry Jr., from Saginaw, was only 17 years old when he was killed in a tragic road accident in November 2020. At the time of his demise, he…

A U.S. Marine surprised his sister by unexpectedly appearing at her college graduation ceremony in Massachusetts after a year of separation. Emily Rose Booth, 21, received her bachelor’s of science in nursing from Endicott College on May 22, 2021. Her brother, private first class Ryan Booth, departed for boot camp last summer, and was unable…

A high school graduation ceremony was made even more memorable for an Ohio student when someone unexpected showed up for her big moment. At first, Grace Macke didn’t have high hopes that her dad, Air Force master sergeant Drew Macke, who was deployed in the Middle East, would make it home for her big day. The ceremony…

A Florida police department has made college graduation day extra special for the daughter of a fallen officer by showing up in full force for the celebration. Honor student Aleena Kondek graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida. Tragically, her late father, Tarpon Springs officer Charles “Charlie” Kondek…

Congratulations! The big day is here! You’re receiving your high school diploma and are now off to college, to enter the workforce or military service, or to learn a trade such as welding or auto repair. For at least 13 years, you’ve advanced from kindergarten to cap-and-gown, learning the language arts, mathematics, history, and science….

As Orange County moves into less-restrictive pandemic guidelines, universities are opting for modified in-person commencement ceremonies. University of California–Irvine (UCI) announced April 26 that graduates—both classes of 2020 and 2021—will be allowed to participate in an in-person component of the stage walk. Each graduate is allowed to bring two guests. Students will be assigned specific time frames during the June 13 event, which will…

New York City’s Columbia University is planning to conduct six additional graduation ceremonies for students according to their race, ethnic backgrounds, income level, and other self-identifications—a move critics labeled as undoing the work of the civil rights era and taking a step towards re-segregating society. The school’s website provides details of upcoming graduation ceremonies for Native, Asian, “Latinx,” and black…