3) Mykhal Polite, Grand Canyon University (Polite is on the far right.) "I imagined my graduation to be grandgrand in size and meaning. I wanted it to be the personification of my achievement. Instead ... due to COVID-19, GCU spring commencement got cancelled. When I first heard the rumor, I was just getting out of my last in-person Voice and Movement classsince that also was moving to online for viral spreading prevention purposes. In that moment, I felt sad and defeated. I felt like all of my hard work was for naught. I cannot say that that feeling has changed. Though, it was temporarily relieved with a self-staged graduation by some of our graduating seniors at GCU ... Seeing that this would probably be the only time I could walk and utilize the graduation gear that I purchased, I jumped at the opportunity. The rest is history. However, like I said: that was temporary. My family is sad for me, not necessarily the ceremony, because they know how much it meant to me. "We do have a postponed commencement in December that will be a joint one with the winter graduates. The problem is: For someone like myself who is moving to New York to further my career, it is unknown and highly unlikely that I will be able to attend. So, this was a heavy hit." Mykhal Polite/Grand Canyon University
4) Destiny Inocent, Queens College "This last semester of undergrad has been a whirlwind of emotions. Filled with excitement, I planned to walk down wearing my cap and gown, with my family screaming for joy as they watched me. Finallythe oldest daughter, granddaughter, and one of the first college graduates in my mothers family, receiving her diploma from CUNY- Queens College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. "I was ready to finish this chapter of my life and start the next, but there was a major plot twist I think no one saw coming. That excitement all shifted with the dire circumstances we all are enduring these past few months. As appreciative as I am to have a home to be quarantined in, I still will always wonder how it must feel to turn the tassel among hundreds of comrades, and cheer with them and my loved ones." Destiny Inocent
5) Sarah Ben-Nun, Yeshiva University "The thought of not having a commencement ceremony scares me because by not wrapping up this period in my life, I'll have a harder time adjusting to, and beginning, the next one. I love my university, the community that I've built there, the people I've met, and the things I've learned, and that won't get a chance to end properly. I've been to the commencement ceremonies in previous years, so it's a bit ironic that I know exactly what it is that I won't be having." Sarah Ben-Nun
6) Roy Pankey, University of Southern California "I always imagined the day I graduate from college would be one of the happiest of my life and that Id spend it with all of the friends Ive made over the last four years. The email saying all classes would be held remotely for the rest of the semester and all pre-graduation events had been cancelled came just as we were beginning spring break, and it hit like a truck. Everyone was devastated. "I feel like Im missing out on the single most important moment of my college career, and there isnt anything anyone can do about it. As the days pass, Ive almost started to feel guilty about being sad, though. Im losing my graduation ceremony, but so many people have lost their lives. Im trying to put things into perspective. Its rough for sure." Roy Pankey
7) Riva Neumann, New York University "Though NYU hasn't officially canceled graduation yet, it is pretty clear that the chances of an in person commencement ceremony are slim. I decided to take an extra year to graduate so I am really bummed out about the recent developments. I feel like I am losing a significant part of my college experience by not having the graduation that every year has had before. I feel that I lost my second half of senior year and all of the fun parts about it. "NYU officially canceled Senior Week, the highlight for many seniors that is composed of a lot of events specifically for seniors, ending with senior formal, which obviously will not be happening. I am sad to be losing all of my brand ambassador campus positions as many require being on campus and interacting with students. My family is sympathetic, but there isn't much to do in this situation." Riva Neumann
8) Chris Kirwan, Worcester State University "I was devastated to hear that my graduation might be cancelled. I pictured having my wife and daughter there after I walked across the stage. Years of late nights and research papers and online discussions to have the one moment I looked forward potentially cancelled is heart-wrenching. Im hoping things change in time so I can live this dream Ive been looking forward to." Chris Kirwan
9) Nandipha Shingange, Northwest University "Preparing for graduation was an emotional process for my family, especially my mother. She was a teen mother and sacrificed going to universityshe joined the South African Police Service instead in order to ease the financial burden from her parents. I'm the first in my family to graduate at such a young age. I've always looked forward to my graduation, especially to share the special moment with my mother because she worked so hard to get me through university. "When I found out that the Northwest University had postponed, it was a relief that they did not cancel. But we had spent money that could have been used to fix other things in the household or pay part of my tuition for 2020. I could not get full refunds for the services that I had paid for in preparation for my special day. "We are still hoping that I will get a chance to graduate sometime this year." Nandipha Shingange
