FUSCHIA

On my porch

Graduation Day

The day dawned bright & beautiful. Everyone was dressed for the occasion – summery dresses for North Carolina. The first part of the morning was very chilly, but after a while, we were all happy to be wearing cool clothing.

We arrived at the stadium at around 9:00 A.M., so Allie would be able to prepare for the processional. By the time we had taken our seats, the sun was starting to really beat down. Everyone was provided with paper sun shades and bottles of water.

The moment the Duke University Wind Symphony started playing and the graduates began filing down the steps in the stadium, I became all teary-eyed. I couldn’t believe my Allie was graduating, and that I was actually there witnessing this magnificent event. What a way to spend Mother’s Day!

I believe a few thousand young people graduated that day, and it was wonderful to see them massed on the field, after the very lengthy descent down the stadium steps. I had never attended a university graduation, and to me it was nearly overwhelming. We have great photos of Allie, and a video of part of the ceremony, to help us remember the beautiful and important day in her life.

After the speeches and Presentations of Candidates for Degrees, everyone left the stadium and proceeded to various locations for the actual Presentation of Diplomas. Allie received her diploma at the art museum, and we attended a reception at that location immediately afterward.

Allie was one of a small percentage of students from Trinity College of Arts and Sciences at Duke to graduate summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. What a proud grandmother I am!