INSIDER
UVA honors Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr. on graduation day
Read full article: UVA honors Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr. on graduation dayOn May 20 as graduation ceremonies wrapped up at the University of Virginia, UVA Football and Virginia Sports took to social media to honor Chandler, Perry, and Davis.
85-year-old Virginia Tech graduate says her love of family and music has helped her succeed
Read full article: 85-year-old Virginia Tech graduate says her love of family and music has helped her succeedA love of learning and a passion for music has pushed one soon-to-be Virginia Tech graduate to more than six decades on a college campus.
University of Lynchburg’s 2020 graduates frustrated with lack of in-person ceremony
Read full article: University of Lynchburg’s 2020 graduates frustrated with lack of in-person ceremonyLYNCHBURG, Va. – As Virginia loosens COVID-19 restrictions for graduation ceremonies, there are concerns from members of the University of Lynchburg’s Class of 2020. Some 2020 graduates and their loved ones believe they’re being snubbed from having their own commencement ceremony on the University of Lynchburg’s campus. This comes as the university announced it’s planning a limited, in-person graduation for the Class of 2021. AdDeanna Yinger’s daughter, Emily, is also putting her degree to use, but this 2020 graduate’s mother wants to see her child walk the stage. “There just seems to be, really, a lack of discussion and outreach with the Class of 2020,” she said.
Virginia Tech seniors have mixed reactions on virtual 2021 Commencement
Read full article: Virginia Tech seniors have mixed reactions on virtual 2021 CommencementBLACKSBURG, Va. – Graduation day is the day college students across the country dream of, but this spring, Virginia Tech seniors will have to celebrate virtually. Virginia Tech gave an update on Wednesday, announcing plans for a virtual Spring 2021 Commencement. She said she’s been dreaming of graduation day. The school is hoping to host small in-person celebrations, but colleges will not hold separate in-person commencement ceremonies. “It seems like it would be a logistical nightmare to have it in person,” said Breeden.”He said he doesn’t need an in-person commencement to commemorate his time as a Hokie.
After numerous surgeries, Virginia teen reaches goal of walking across graduation stage
Read full article: After numerous surgeries, Virginia teen reaches goal of walking across graduation stageFor one Virginia senior, walking across the stage meant more than just meeting all her academic requirements. Last June, Maggie Rocke was practicing walking in her driveway. At the time, the rising senior, already had one specific moment on her mind: walking across the stage at graduation. After numerous surgeries, Virginia teen reaches goal of walking across graduation stage (WSLS)“I basically made walking an everyday, or almost everyday, part of my life, because I knew if I wanted to make this happen, it couldn’t be something where I just did it on a whim,” Rocke said. I think it will definitely be a mile marker in my life journey that I will never forget,” Maggie said.
Brookville High graduate’s speech video captures Senator Tim Kaine’s attention
Read full article: Brookville High graduate’s speech video captures Senator Tim Kaine’s attentionCAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – A local high school graduate is getting special recognition from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. “Roughly 12 years ago this time we were finishing up Kindergarten,” Maggie Mace said in her three minute graduation video. Mace is a 2020 Brookville High School graduate who sent in a video for Tim Kaine’s “Everybody’s the Graduation Speaker” contest. Click here to watch Mace’s entire three-minute graduation video.
WATCH LIVE: Virginia Graduates Together
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Virginia Graduates TogetherROANOKE, Va. – Not being able to have a traditional graduation, Virginia is getting creative to celebrate the Class of 2020. Virginians are invited to join Gov. Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam in honoring the graduates during a statewide virtual celebration at 5 p.m. on FridayProminent Virginians appearing in the program include former Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, University of Virginia’s men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett, Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox, Denver Nuggets guard Troy Daniels, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris, United States Senator Tim Kaine, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Micah Kiser, musician Dave Matthews, comedian Jay Pharoah, Virginia Beach Councilman Aaron Rouse, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, New York Liberty forward Megan Walker, United States Senator Mark Warner, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, actress Constance Wu, and World Series Champion Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
‘We will go down in history’: Amherst County graduates experience commencement from their cars
Read full article: ‘We will go down in history’: Amherst County graduates experience commencement from their carsAMHERST, Va. – COVID-19 and social distancing meant Amherst County High School had to get creative with its graduation plans. The solution played out on Saturday: A formal commencement, but every graduate stayed in a car with their loved ones. "We’ll do anything for our kids.”Senior class president Zamire Andrews said he worried about how his high school days would end after COVID-19 cut Amherst County’s school year short. While the graduates spent most of the ceremony in cars, they did physically walk across the stage. “I’m still a kid from Amherst, and right here, this is just us coming together as a whole family," Andrews said.
North Cross School graduates celebrate with victory lap in school’s parking lot
Read full article: North Cross School graduates celebrate with victory lap in school’s parking lotROANOKE, Va. – Saturday marked the end of the road for North Cross School’s Class of 2020. However, instead of celebrating the conventional way, graduates rolled through the finish line in their cars. The small band of graduates drove a lap around the school’s parking lot with teachers and loved ones cheering them on. School officials say the idea for a drive-thru celebration came from senior Isaiah Harris, who is North Cross’ student body president. “This right here is fine with me.”North Cross School is still planning an in-person commencement later in the summer.
10 graduation gift ideas all for less than $50
Read full article: 10 graduation gift ideas all for less than $50It isn’t always easy to budget for graduation gifts, especially amid the pandemic and with other holidays that fall during the same season. Here are 10 all for $50 or less that we think the graduate in your life will enjoy. Put together a gift set that includes a laundry basket, detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets and a roll of quarters. Coffee makerA coffee maker is the perfect gift for a recent grad who regularly needs a caffeine boost as part of the morning routine. First aid kitRest easy by giving the gift of safety to your graduate.
Virtual graduation doesn’t mean any less celebration for Virginia Tech’s Class of 2020
Read full article: Virtual graduation doesn’t mean any less celebration for Virginia Tech’s Class of 2020Many of them found time to reunite with their closest friends on campus before the big moment. The campus is beaming with life again, even if life did not go as expected for these grads. Even just looking back at freshman year pictures, it doesn’t seem that long ago,” said O’Connor. This is more than just a graduation celebration, it’s a homecoming for the seniors who have spent their last semester learning through computer screens. Click here to watch the Class of 2020′s virtual commencement.
These 9 virtual or ‘drive-by’ graduation party ideas are brilliant
Read full article: These 9 virtual or ‘drive-by’ graduation party ideas are brilliantPlan a little watch party for your son or daughter to enjoy the Facebook graduation. Facebook is celebrating the class of 2020 with a whole week of graduation features, and a commencement program. Highlights and more will be posted to the @instagram account on Instagram, and on contributors’ social media accounts.”Grads are encouraged to host their own virtual graduation ceremony and party via Facebook, with special features including a virtual graduation hub, custom filters, family and friends celebrations enabled by Messenger Rooms, and more. JoAnn Fabric has a whole webpage on how you can make a graduation cap embellishment out of paper flowers. This is a birthday party and not a graduation, but you’ll see the general idea!
Parents celebrate Roanoke City Schools graduates during drive-thru cap and gown pickup
Read full article: Parents celebrate Roanoke City Schools graduates during drive-thru cap and gown pickupSeniors from Patrick Henry High School and William Fleming High School picked up their graduation garb during a drive-thru ceremony on Thursday. William Fleming Principal Archie Freeman said this was the first time many seniors have returned to school grounds since remote learning took effect. "We have to instill that motivation in them.”At Patrick Henry, parents lined the entrance to the school to cheer on the graduates. Lori Fitchett, whose daughter is a senior at Patrick Henry, said the class of 2020 deserves to hear how proud their parents are of them. They’re coming through PH maybe for the last time.”Roanoke City Schools has planned virtual graduations for Patrick Henry and William Fleming students on June 4.
Amherst County High School students set to have unique graduation ceremony
Read full article: Amherst County High School students set to have unique graduation ceremonyAmherst County High School will host its commencement exercises on May 23rd, 2020 at 6:00 PM at Amherst County High School. Due to the global pandemic, this year’s graduation ceremony is called Commencement in Cars. The possibility of having a traditional graduation is highly unlikely and we wanted to make sure that our Seniors had a memorable experience to celebrate their academic careers, their hard work, and their dedication to Amherst County High School. We believe that with the support of our community and the positivity of our parents, these students will enjoy an experience that no other graduating class from Amherst County High School has. We decided to host this at Amherst County High School because we felt it was symbolically important for them to be able to come to the school one last time since they left so abruptly.