Commencement

Samantha D. Dearborn, B.M, Magna Cum Laude.  :) 

I can officially report that I did not fall flat on my face when I walked across the stage to receive my degree. haha! It was a fear, though...and I refused to wear my heels because I didn't need to heighten the odds.

After processing in (next to my friend Amanda...we joked about skipping in! hehe!), I was supposed to keep walking and make my way over to sing with the cover, however, we had these row bouncers or something that wouldn't let me go past my row, so I had to go down the whole row and walk all the way around.

As I stood with the choir waiting for our turn to sing, everything sunk in. This was it. It was real, and I was about to receive this degree I worked so hard for. I felt like I had entered a movie...too real to be for real. There was this moment when everything was in line...those that came before me and those that shall come after me...weird, I know, but it felt fully right. As well, I was making history for my family.

After we sang, I was making my way back to my seat and definitely tripped over the ramp to the stage and almost fell on my face then. Oh, boy! Then, I walked past my aisle and had to do a "Just kidding!" turn around as the president of the university was onstage speaking. Only me!

The keynote speaker was Kevin W. Sowers, president of Duke University Hospital and former graduate of Capital. I thought that it'd be blah, but he was awesome! He gave a fantastic speech on the power of who you are and the responsibility you hold to use that power fully and for what it is meant. He spoke of the heartache and fear that seemingly paralyzes you at moments in life...the times when you simply want to run away, but those are the times when you must stand strong and...

Smile though your heart is aching,
Smile even though it's breaking. 
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by,
if you Smile through your fear and sorrow,
Smile, and maybe tomorrow,
you'll see the sun come shining through, for you.
Light up your face with gladness,
hide every trace of sadness,
although a tear may be ever so near,
that's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile, what's the use of crying,
you'll find that life is still worthwhile,
if you just Smile.

Yes, he sang! And he was brilliant! At the beginning of his speech, he informed us that he began his time at Capital as a music major and then switched career paths to nursing. When he began talking about a gift Charlie Chaplin gave to people during the Great Depression to inspire hope, I knew instantly he was leading to this song, but I did not know how he would do it. Then, he sang. Definitely evident he was a music major! We were thoroughly impressed, and it just gave the speech that much more meaning. Thank you, Dr. Sowers! :)

Then came the conferring of degrees...and the long, nervous process of waiting for your turn. Eventually, the leading marshal was at my row, and we were walking to the stage. Eek! Soon, they announced, "Samantha D. Dearborn, Magna Cum Laude," and I was so giddy, I felt myself bubbling with bounciness, and I very nearly skipped over to receive my diploma from the university president. BUT...just in time, I remembered that that would most certainly increase my possibility of smacking my face on the stage. However, skipping across the stage would totally be something I would do. haha! That would have made history, too...but it also would have embarrassed my friend Bradley, whom I was sitting beside the whole time. haha! Oh, Bradley!

So...here I am now, college graduate, Capital alumna! Wow. That's definitely weird. haha! I get to wear my cute alumni sweatshirt now, though! ;) Dinner at Olive Garden with Mom and Dad and now just relaxing. All this excitement today has been exhausting.   


Gratitude 218
This very pretty, very expensive, very important piece of paper:

P.S. I must add...I just love how attractive these fabulous mortar board caps make your hair look! NOT! haha!