Convocation

So today was the big day for me: Convocation!  For those who don't know how graduation works, Commencement is the ceremony for all BYU graduates (nearly 6,000 this year!); then there are convocations for each of the colleges within BYU.  The convocation for the McKay School of Education started at 8:00 a.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse.  Graduates needed to be there at 7:00 to prepare.  So I got up early this morning, and Toni (that fantastic girl!) came over early to fix my hair and do my makeup again.  Then I was off!

At 7:45, all of the graduates lined up for the processional...but I wasn't with them.  I was with the faculty so I could sit on the stage!  I was one of the two students in the McKay School of Education who graduated suma cum laude (top one percent), and each of us was asked to speak at convocation!  Holy cow!  When I got onto the stage and looked out at how many people were sitting there in the audience, I definitely got a little nervous.  :)  Make that a lot nervous!  :)  But in a matter of moments I found the row that contained seven people who were there just for me: my mom, my dad, my grandmother, and my friends Jill, Toni, Alicia, and Jenni.  I was thrilled to have such wonderful people to share this day with.

Well, everything proceeded exactly as I'd hoped.  I was first on the program, which was definitely nice.  That way I wouldn't have to sit and be nervous during the rest of the proceedings.  :)  My speech went really well (I posted it two posts ago), and I got a ton of compliments afterward--both from people I knew well and from people I'd never met before!  And the rest of the convocation was great as well!  I now have my diploma cover, and before long I'll get a fun piece of mail that I can add to it!  :)  When Convocation was over, I found my family and friends and got congratulations from each of them.  And I also got to spend a few minutes with Devyn and Rylee, the two girls who have shared many of my favorite experiences in the Communication Disorders major.  I was so grateful to share this day with such incredible people!  What a wonderful day!