She graduated!

Graduation was supposed to be yesterday.

So we prepared for our own version of Marymount Manhattan's graduation for one.  But then it rained (of course). And it was nice of Tom to move us to yellow just in time for graduation. He really does care.

Plan B a day later was just as fun.

Cap and Gown and Socks and Mask. The new normal graduation uniform. Everyone's doing it.

The most obnoxious Pomp and Circumstance we could find and a lovely processional

The Pledge of Allegiance with the flag holder (Victor) in absentia because he declared at the last minute that he was not participating.

The singing of the alma mater.  It was beautiful even though no one knew the tune. We didn't know the words, either, so we just used the words from the high school alma mater.

Special music by one of the seniors, remotely, of course, but the technology never did work.

And a senior speech, remotely, of course, but the technology still didn't work.

And another senior speech, but again, the technology didn't work.

Some people dressed up more than others

The president decided to forgo the usual president's message since there wasn't much of an audience in attendance.

But the guest speaker was absolutely amazing. The best graduation speech ever. Very relevant for these unprecedented times.

“Thank you to Reverend Dr. King, Provost King, Dean King, and all the Professors King in the audience today. 

These are unprecedented times...

Imagine if you will…a world where Cinco de Mayo falls on Taco Tuesday
only to be ruined by a virus named after a Mexican beer.

The new normal

We’re in this together

Alone together

We’re stronger together

Even though we’re not together, we’re here to keep you connected

To all the heroes keeping everyone running.

For all new moms in quarantine, you’re not alone.

These are extraordinary times and there are extraordinary people
working in the healthcare industry.

So to all our graduating health care workers and teachers,
who are about to be on the frontlines, we salute you. To everyone else…

…...Where was I?

...Our world has changed drastically, but you know what hasn’t changed?

We’re all in this together!

Being on your side means staying home.

The challenges are what motivate us. We’re doing everything
we can to get you what you need.
And we’re doing everything we can to keep you safe.

While not able to touch each other, there are still ways to touch each other.

Connect with friends and family. Have fun. But stay at home.
We will help you get through this.
But stay at home.

Because now, more than ever, being a good neighbor means everything.

It’s been a crazy time, but we’re all in this together.

In closing, I’d like to thank all of the corona commercials
and memes for the inspiration
and words needed to make this graduation speech possible
and my apologies for all of the copyright laws broken
in the making of this speech.”

And then the part that gets so long...the reading of the names...

Aaron Adam Anderson, in abstientia
Babbette Beatrice Beardsly-Brown, in ababsientia
Christopher Camron Christianson, in acksentia
Davida Danielle Dennis, in absentiensia
Esther Evangeline Edwards, in absence
Farnsworth Frederick Funkhousen-Fritz, in abystentia...

Some of us did not graduate with theater degrees

and have just a little trouble staying in character...

and trying not to pee our pants

Justin Joseph Jones, also not here
Mariana Christine King - finally!

"To the graduating class of 2020, please stand.

Okay, Mariana, you stand.

As a symbol of your accomplishment, please move your tassel and throw your caps in the air."

She did it and we are so proud. And personally, I think the length of this ceremony was just perfect. Like you.