I'm Officially a Graduate of Penn State!!!

Yesterday was one of the proudest moments of my life, as I graduated from Penn State University.  It was definitely not an easy road and when I started there 4 years ago, I would have never dreamed that my life would lead to where it did, but I am so happy and proud of myself that I finally accomplished one of my biggest goals in life.

First, let me start off by saying that I could not have done it without the support of my family.  When I decided I wanted to go to Penn State, they supported me fully and I am happy they did.  However, my life took some twists and turns that none of us could have predicted in August of 2005 when I first arrived in my dorm room

Nobody, including myself, expected that by the time I graduated from college I'd have a 1 year old daughter.  In fact, when I found out I was pregnant, you would not believe how many people doubted that I could even finish school.  They doubted my will and determination, which, I must say, angered me.  I know it was not expected, but I was not giving up on one of my dreams because my life took a turn that was not expected.  If anything, Mikaela just gave me more of a drive to finish school, because I didn't want her to grow up thinking that I gave up my dreams because she was born.

Also, I never expected to graduate without my Nanny there.  She was not only my grandmother, but also my biggest supporter and my best friend.  So, despite the happiness of yesterday, it was also bittersweet because I could not share it with her, when it was something she wanted so badly for me to do.  I do know that she would be proud of me, though.

Now, to the ceremony.  I was in the College of Liberal Arts, and our ceremony was at 6 pm in the Bryce Jordan Center (where they play basketball and have a lot of concerts).  It lasted about an hour and a half, and they called each of us to walk across the stage, which took a while, but I thought it was good because each graduate deserved recognition.  However, before they started calling names, they told everybody to hold their applause until everybody had been called, which of course some people did not do, which made the entire Psychology departments names screwed up as they walked across stage.  That kind of irked me a little bit, but overall, I really enjoyed the ceremony and it was great to be recognized for this accomplishment.

I graduted with a Bachelor of Arts in History.  And I am the first person in my family other than my Great Uncle to go to college and graduate!!

Here are some pictures of the big day...