I still can’t believe I sang the National Anthem and Champlain Alma Mater at this year’s commencement ceremony.
Walking up the ramp as Kyle Dodson, “the voice” of the ceremony, announced my name and Champlain class of 2014 was unbelievable. I have never felt so much pride. As I stood at the front of a tent filled with 429 soon-to-be-graduates and their families, nearly 3,000 people total plus those watching live from the auditorium and online, I heard nothing but my own breath. I received a smile and a nod from President Finney, stood at the podium, grabbed my pitch pipe, blew a D, took a deep breath in and exhaled “Oh, say can you see…” The air was still, then the tent exploded with the voices of many, chiming in to sing the Star Spangled Banner.
It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget. I am so honored to have been given this opportunity and to be a part of the ceremony.
Apparently, from home, my grandparents were crying watching the live feed. My grandmother said, “She has no fear,” to which my mom responded, “No. She does have fear. But she does it anyways. That is what’s so great.” She hit the nail on the head. I was terrified, and in the days leading up to graduation when my voice was hoarse from the remnants of a cold, I was freaking out. When Diana Agusta announced at graduation rehearsal on Thursday that I would be singing, I knew there was no turning back. Then Friday at sound-check, I got most of my nerves out singing in front of about 20 people. I feel more comfortable singing in front of large groups - my adrenaline kicks in, and every time I get nervous I just smile and ground myself. I was most nervous about my facial expressions blown up on the jumbo-tron above my head, but from the pictures I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem like it was too embarrassing.
Becky Peterson and I closed the ceremony with the singing of the Champlain Alma Mater, which I hope to have more people know before next year’s graduation so they can sing along.
At the reception after the ceremony, I received a great deal of praise and a request to join Bella Voce women’s chorus. Hopefully I have the time because this just makes me realize how much I miss singing.
One person commented on a picture on Facebook, “Effortless, unpretentious, perfect. Thank you!”
No, thank YOU, kind stranger, and everyone else for your support and for singing along.
Congratulations Class of 2013! Best wishes. Until next year.
Although finals are over and you’ve picked up your cap and gown, there is still a big transition to go through at this time. 
I had a great day at work on Friday in the Champlain communications office, writing a press release about students providing sustainable aid for Haiti, which became Pitchengine’s ‘Pitch of the Day’ within an hour of me posting it
A friend came down to Burlington for the weekend to visit from Champlain’s Montreal campus, where he has been studying abroad this semester. He got a new camera lens and was playing around to get a feel for it all weekend - thanks Markel for all the great photos! At least someone can capture my good side. This reminded me of how much I miss all my friends who are studying abroad. I can’t wait for them to return to the states in the next couple of weeks!
My friends Victoria and Jeremy planned the first annual (hopefully!) wiffle ball tournament for charity to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. It turned in to one big game, but it was a beautiful day and a great way to relieve stress before finals. Glad to say that Joe’s team beat BroHaus, although no one ever trash talked the other team - we were too busy making fun of our own. Also, I received the most wonderful compliment - Brandyn said that I looked like a Ranger Rover-driving soccer mom. What I one day (but not any time soon) strive to be. So a little premature on the compliment, but I’ll take it Mr. VP!
I went to 
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An opening session with Chelsea Clinton, Gateway STEM Principal Beth Bender, President Bill Clinton, and three representing team members of the St. Louis Rams (Robert Quinn, Jake Long, and Chris Givens) introduced the school’s initiative to us. It answered the question of why we were there and what they were giving back to their community – providing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to high school students from an area primarily made up of first- and second-generation immigrants. There are over 1,000 students within this high school, which principal Beth Bender has been working at for five years. Prior to that, there was seven different principals in six years. The school is in rough shape; it requires much more than just the paint-job we gave to the cafeteria and the cleaning we did in various science labs and classrooms. It was very outdated, but a local business [Brightergy] recently installed 100 solar panels on the roof, contributing to a green initiative the school has started.
There was a 
Makeshift Magazine is a relatively small-circulated publication covering grassroots projects from the ground up. There is a great deal of research published, as well as infographics and photographs from innovative projects and cultures across the globe. It’s really nicely done, but Myles was telling me about the trouble they’re starting to have as they reach workload capacity. “We are taking on more work as individuals to get everything done,” he said. “There is not much more we can do, and as a writer, I can’t ask someone to contribute content without paying them. Even if they want to do that, I don’t feel okay doing such a thing.” I sarcastically let out *intern*cough*cough* and he agreed that interns were the route to go.
I then asked many follow-up questions about the next step of the magazine, how they collect content, and all about their digital-presence. To save you from potential boredom, I’ll keep the conversation to myself, but feel free to ask me more if you’re curious.
Although Mahmoud and I missed the CGIU Campus Representatives picture out on the green in front of the athletic complex, we were psyched because we got pretty good seats at the closing plenary, AKA ‘
After the opening plenary featured Jack Dorsey, Colbert asked President Clinton if he used Twitter or not. Presuming a no, Colbert already created a satirical Twitter account for “PrezBillyJeff,” because it was the only Twitter handle available with a combination of his name. Right there on stage, Prez Billy Jeff sent out his first Tweet: “Just spent amazing time with Colbert! Is he sane? He is cool! #cgiu.” The audience responded fast, retweeting and replying to the President’s new account. I joked, “@KayAyWhyElleAy: 