<p>At home recovering from all of the awesome commencement activities yesterday and today! It was a really wonderful two days, with tons of special ceremonies and dinners. Here is USC’s official coverage of everything: [USC</a> Marks 126th Commencement - USC News](<a href=“http://uscnews.usc.edu/university/usc_marks_126th_commencement.html]USC”>http://uscnews.usc.edu/university/usc_marks_126th_commencement.html)</p>
<p>Yesterday was the baccalaureate. It was a lovely ceremony, with an invocation by a Bahai (?) monk on a conch shell, speeches by Steve Sample, Max Slavkin, a student leader, and different religious leaders, and a wonderful version of the “modern day hymn” ‘Let it Be’ at the end. After that, we all headed over to the dinner, which was nice, but a bit too expensive for the food, which included some strange choices (including forbidden rice and celery root!). After that, the Chicano/Latino Graduation Ceremony, which was incredibly enthusiastic. It was led off by Aztec ceremonial dancers blessing the field, and allowed every student (Latino or not, but I didn’t notice any “nots”) to make a 20 second speech in either English or Spanish or both. It was a bit too long for my family (that ceremony started at 8pm and wasn’t done by 10), but was lots of fun. Then, off to sleep to prepare for the big day!</p>
<p>We sent my sister out to save seats at around 6:15 a.m. She got excellent seats in the shade (for some of the ceremony!), and my mom and other family members met up with her around 6:35 a.m. There were no parking problems (they parked in PSX, where there were still plenty of spots). They were selling coffee, soda, bagels, Krispy Kremes, flowers, balloons, and leis (a colorful Southern California tradition for graduating students to wear) all around campus. I went out to line up with my group at around 7:30 a.m., so that I could be at the front of my major section. The line-up process was well organized, with every major being organized by a faculty member who knew what was going on. Water was key to the first ceremony- it is definitely important to bring water with you (or buy it), both as an audience member and as a graduate. Those gowns have no pockets, so I wore a little pouch around my arm with my cell phone, and carried my camera the whole day. The processional started at 8:30 a.m. sharp, with the main ceremony starting at 9 a.m. The Governator was a surprisingly entertaining speaker- the LA Times has the full text of his speech, and you can watch it on the USC website. Our valedictorian was a bit dour in his speech, but it was still nicely done. Everyone switched the side of our tassels at Steve Sample’s instructions, then we departed for the satellite ceremony for my major on the football practice field.</p>
<p>Luckily, it wasn’t too hot today, and there was a nice breeze blowing throughout. Still, it was pretty warm, so water and sunscreen were important! After lining up again at the satellite ceremony (I was with the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences Group 1 as an English major), we walked into the tent, then walked across the stage to shake hands and receive our diploma folders (diplomas will be mailed in a month or two, after they are sure that we really graduated). They had professional photographers taking pictures at all the different points, so that my parents could enjoy the ceremony without worrying about it. The chair of each department read our names, we walked across the stage, waited for our classmates to walk, then were free! This ceremony went pretty quickly- about an hour and 15 minutes to get everyone through the process. </p>
<p>After that, we went over to the major specific reception. Ours had light sandwiches and fruit with some punch and lemonade, plus great brownies. I got to introduce my parents to some of my teachers, which was really cool. Thematic Option also had a reception with champagne and strawberries, and took place in an air-conditioned building, which was certainly a plus. Finally, we took some pictures with Tommy Trojan (move to his front to take pictures- the lines are shorter!), and I turned in my gown to the bookstore. Our last stop was the rose garden next to the Alumni House, where all the roses were beautifully blooming. It was the perfect spot for all of the family pictures. Then we went over to Old Town Pasadena for a late lunch/early dinner at around 4 p.m. at Buca di Beppo. That was great, because it wasn’t crowded there, and they didn’t mind that we were an hour late. Plus, the food was wonderful (but not cheap). Overall it was an amazing day, and I’m glad that I got to experience all of it.</p>
<p>In the coming week I will post a big thread about my general experience at USC. Thanks to all of you for your support over the last four years!</p>
<p>P.S. from Nikara’s Mom: Graduation was a wonderful conclusion to four eventful, exciting years. USC must have great event planners, because, aside from the traffic snarls when we left campus, everything ran smoothly without a hiccup. There were tears, but far more smiles, the band played on, the governor was amusing and somehow managed not to be controversial (except, perhaps, his comment that until his daughter told him about the bell tradition, he didn’t know UCLA had a football team), and the graduates shone brightly, each obviously delighted to have succeeded at a challenging, but encouraging university. (If you ever want to see people truly rejoice in attaining graduation, go to the Latino ceremony - the pride and exultation were palpable!) I will truly miss being the mom of an undergraduate, but as I was told many times this week, I am a Trojan forever, and for that I am grateful.</p>