Latest news with #graduation
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Secrets of the picture perfect graduation ceremony at elite $33K-a-year private school
At an elite $33K-a-year private school in Texas, the girls' graduation is far more than just a ceremony - it's a century-old tradition that's picture-perfect. With graduation season in full swing across America, students are no strangers to embracing cherished traditions and festivities alongside friends, savoring their final moments together before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. The highly anticipated milestone is brought to light through vibrant school-colored confetti, over-the-top decorations and after-parties. Each year, the countless celebrations flood social media with snapshots of proud graduates, beaming families and campuses transformed into scenes of bittersweet endings and exciting new beginnings. But in Dallas, no commencement photos turn heads quite like those from The Hockaday School in Dallas - proving year after year that they just might have the internet beat. At this prestigious, all-girls college-preparatory school, graduation tradition isn't just upheld, it's elevated into an art form featuring a breathtaking blend of elegance. Earlier this month, the school celebrated its 111th Commencement, where 124 girls crossed the iconic Ashley H. Priddy Commencement Terrace to receive their diplomas in a ceremony as graceful as it is grand. One of the most distinctive and enchanting features of the ceremony is the graduates' attire - flowing white dresses paired with wide-brimmed hats, each uniquely decorated with hand-picked flowers. No commencement photos turn heads quite like those from The Hockaday School in Texas - proving year after year that they just might have the internet beat with stunning graduation snapshots This timeless tradition, dating back over a century, transforms the ceremony into a living garden of color and individuality, making it truly unforgettable for the graduates - and the internet - alike. First introduced by Ela Hockaday in 1914, the white dress has remained a lasting staple for every young woman crossing the stage, according to Hockaday Fourcast. Her choice for white dresses was deeply intentional - meant to embody Southern charm while honoring the achievements of the young women wearing them. 'She wanted to bring the old southern charm but also show that the school produced cultured, intelligent ladies,' archives manager Emily Embry said of Ela, as reported by the outlet. 'For them to be dressed up in beautiful white dresses just made it so special,' she added. Selecting the graduation dress each year is a thoughtful process of its own - each year's design reflecting the unique spirit of the graduating class and the moment in time they step across the stage. 'The really exciting part for me is wondering what the fashion at that time was and thinking what made the girls choose this one dress out of all the dresses,' Embry said. The process begins a full year ahead, in June, when a senior's parent takes on the important role of coordinating the wardrobe each girl will wear. In 2013, Nancy Winston, who proudly graduated from Hockaday in 1982, took on the challenge, according to Hockaday Fourcast. She began her search in the bridal department of Stanley Korshak and, with the help of a store employee, narrowed down five to six dresses, each representing a different style. But before the dresses are even unveiled to the senior class, each option must first be approved by the Headmistress. 'Probably one of the most unique aspects of Hockaday commencement is that the whole senior class gets to vote on it,' Winston said, as reported by the outlet. 'Everyone respects that it needs to be a dress that will look good on everybody.' Then comes the long awaited moment: the dresses are modeled to the graduates in a beloved annual fashion show, after which the graduates cast their final votes. But no Hockaday commencement would be complete without the signature sun hats - grand, wide-brimmed and uniquely created by each graduate. While the hats may seem like a charming accessory, for many graduates they serve as a heartfelt tribute to relatives who walked the same path before them. Since the 1991 shift from colored to white hats, those wearing a relatives vintage hat vibrantly stood out among a sea of white - a quiet yet powerful symbol of connection Since the 1991 shift from colored to white hats, those wearing a relatives vintage hat vibrantly stood out among a sea of white - a quiet yet powerful symbol of connection. 'I don't think it's about the color of the hat, it's just that somebody hung onto the hat for 30 years waiting for the next graduate,' Nancy said, as reported by Hockaday Fourcast. 'All that was important was that you were honoring your mother, sister, grandmother or aunt, whether or not anyone else knew.' However, this year marked only the fifth time in the school's 111-year-history that graduates had the option to wear a traditional cap and gown along with a colored hat, People Newspapers reported. Initially, concerns emerged that departing the uniformity of the attire would lessen the ceremony's symbolic impact after the decision was made in 2021. Yet many students felt the change actually strengthened their sense of unity, as each year, a few classmates request alternative attire - often citing religious beliefs or body image concerns as key reasons. Sidney Kronbach, a graduate of the 2022 class, worked alongside a few other students to advocate for the change. 'For me, it was lovely to see the support that the petition got in our grade and beyond,' Kronbach said, as reported by People Newspapers. 'The most important thing to me and a major reason I support the decision is that while the single white dress is supposed to symbolize unity amongst the senior class, there is nothing unifying about someone feeling excluded.' Though the graduates wear matching white dresses and sing the same cherished songs - core elements of the Hockaday tradition - each girl's individuality now blossoms through the vibrant flowers crowning her hat. Kate, a Hockaday senior in 2013, described the process of choosing flowers as 'strenuous' but enthralling, Hockaday Fourcast reported. 'Picking flowers for my hat was probably one of the most difficult style decisions I have ever had to make,' Kate told the outlet. 'During my consultation with the florist so many questions were running through my head. What colors? What will I think about my flowers a year from now? Ten years from now?' she added. 'Eventually, I decided on what I thought was just me, at that moment.' Archives manager Emily Embry noted that this process has evolved dramatically over the years. In the past, graduates simply had to choose from whatever flowers the florist had in stock that day. Today, the girls have thousands of color and style options. 'It helps to bring out the personality of each girl,' Embry told the outlet. 'It's especially nice to see the girls have fun with it.' This year, alongside the elegant ceremony, the girls enjoyed unique touches like custom hat-shaped cookies, decorated with beautiful colors and congratulatory messages. One student gave an inspiring speech to her fellow 'sisters', highlighting their shared experiences of womanhood in front of friends and family. 'As high as we've grown, we have so much left to go,' graduate Alex Blue Baron said during her speech, which was shared to the school's Instagram page. 'Being a daisy means coming into full bloom,' she continued. In a heartfelt moment, Baron addressed the crowd, reflecting on the challenges of change and how their shared experiences at Hockaday have bonded the class for life. 'And Class of 2025 - remember your roots,' she said, taking in the faces of her classmates, all together in the same space for what might be the very last time. 'Because no matter how high you grow, you'll always be a daisy.'
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Three R.I. college students graduated alongside their idol: Their mom
On the first morning of graduations at the University of Rhode Island, Allison Jedson was walking across the stage to receive her doctorate in nursing practice when a shout broke the silence in the arena. 'That's my mom!' Emily Jedson yelled from the bleachers, prompting the arena to break into applause.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Duke-NUS celebrates 20 years of medical innovation with largest ever graduating class
Duke-NUS Medical School's Class of 2025 graduates 121 medical and doctoral students, including MDs, MD-PhDs, PhDs, and masters' degrees Landmark first batch of Masters in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality graduates, unique to Southeast Asia Inaugural graduates from conditional admissions pathways with NUS and SUTD 41% of MD and MD-PhD graduates made bold mid-career shifts from fields such as law, PR, accounting and mental health support SINGAPORE, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating 20 years of transformative medical education, Duke-NUS Medical School graduated its largest cohort yet today, the Class of 2025, in a vibrant ceremony at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium in Academia attended by guest-of-honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health. Marking a strategic milestone for Duke-NUS, the graduating class included 72 Doctor of Medicine (MD) graduates—five of whom are also earning PhDs—and 27 PhD candidates from the Integrated Biology and Medicine, Quantitative Biology and Medicine and Clinical and Translational Sciences programmes. Among the MD graduates was the first group of individuals emerging from the Duke-NUS conditional admissions pathways with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). These pathways are designed to attract talent from engineering, information technology and other undergraduate programmes. Dean Professor Thomas Coffman said: "Collaborating with seven partner universities, including Duke University and NUS, these pathways are designed to allow students to earn a first degree in diverse academic majors while providing an opportunity to seamlessly transition into medicine. It's a powerful model for developing doctors who are outstanding clinicians but also bring valuable multi-disciplinary skills into our healthcare system." This cohort also includes the inaugural batch of graduates of the Master's in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality (MPSHQ) programme, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The MPSHQ is focused on building highly reliable healthcare systems that are of consistent quality and safety. The Class of 2025 represents Duke-NUS' commitment to broadening the skillset and experience of our students, with 41 per cent of MD and MD-PhD graduates having transitioned mid-career from professions that include law, public relations, accounting and mental health peer support. Additionally, 58 per cent of the Class of 2025's graduates are women, underscoring the School's dedication to fostering diversity in the learning environment. Said Dr Faith Wong Pih Yng, previously a modelmaking student and senior peer support specialist at Singapore's Institute of Mental Health, now MD graduate, "Among the many hospital postings, what stood out most vividly was assisting in and witnessing childbirth—the intense anticipation and joy of welcoming a new life into the world was simply unmatched. Ultimately, however, the memories I cherish most are the countless hours spent with my classmates, supporting one another and peer-teaching." Duke-NUS MD graduates received their degrees, awarded jointly by Duke University and the National University of Singapore, in front of friends and family, as well as notable guests, including Duke University School of Medicine Dean Professor Mary Klotman, SingHealth Group CEO Professor Ng Wai Hoe, and keynote speaker, Dr Amy Abernethy, member of Duke University's board of trustees and co-founder of Highlander Health. Caring and compassion underlines the Class of 2025's accomplishments, especially beyond academia. Partaking in a wealth of community service projects, some of their cohort, such as Dr Dana Chow Wai Shin, MD, started the Healthy to Thrive initiative, the first Duke-NUS-led public health screening event dedicated to migrant workers. The cohort was also recognised for their outstanding achievements, which were given out the night before. Awards such as the Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Prizes and Teamsmanship Awards presented to graduates who demonstrated excellence in academics, community service, and leadership. In the aspect of research and scholarship, the Class of 2025 did not flag, publishing an exceptional 253 papers and publications in their time at Duke-NUS, several as first authors in prominent journals such as Nature Medicine, Immunity and EMBO Molecular Medicine. MD-PhD graduate Dr Katherine Nay Yaung, first author on a paper published in Lancet Rheumatology, wrote about artificial intelligence and high-dimensional technologies to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases, and PhD graduate Dr Aishwarya Prakash, named first author and published in American Heart Association Journal, who found a type of peptide to have protective qualities for the heart after sustaining damage. "The conversations I've had with patients emphasise a shift towards continuity of care and empowering individuals to make their own health choices. In moments where I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that being a small part of each patient's journey has been a privilege," said Dr Pang Wui Ming Jeremy, recipient of the SingHealth Prize in Family Medicine, Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Teamsmanship Award for exemplary team values in medicine and Duke-NUS Achievement Prize. As Duke-NUS enters its third decade, the School continues to redefine medical education and research, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders who are not just exceptional doctors but visionary innovators ready to make an impact in Singapore and beyond. About Duke-NUS Medical School Duke-NUS is Singapore's flagship graduate-entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted 'Clinicians Plus' poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five Signature Research Programmes and ten Centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore's largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Duke-NUS Medical School Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
83 high school seniors graduate from Mission Prep in SLO. See the photos
This story is part of SLO Tribune's Parents Central, our expanding coverage for local parents. We're tackling issues that matter to you the most, explaining the "what it means," from school budgets to children's health. We also want to have fun: Send us your best tips for local parents and things to do. Email tips@ More than 80 students walked across the steps of Mission Plaza on Friday night to celebrate their graduation from Mission College Preparatory High School. In total, 83 students celebrated the milestone achievement — and those students received nearly $2 million in scholarship earnings, according to Mission Prep Principal Mike Susank. The ceremony celebrated graduating senior and this year's valedictorian: Mary Marsalek. Marsalek, who is headed to Boston College, also received the Marian award — an accolade typically granted to the female student who best represents Mission Prep's values of scholarship, inspiration and leadership, Susank said. Champ Morrissey was the recipient of the Serra award, the male counterpart to the Marian. Morrissey is headed to the West Point military academy after graduation, Susank said. Meanwhile, Taylor La Follette, who will be attending Loyola Marymount University, was this year's salutatorian. According to Susank, over 95% of this year's graduates are headed to college in the fall. Less than 5% will be taking a gap year or pursuing other paths, like studying abroad, going to trade school or entering the workforce. Over 30 students are headed to four-year universities in California — including 18 who are headed to Cal Poly. Another 17 are on their way to two free years at community college campuses, including Cuesta and Allan Hancock, under California College Promise grants. Eight graduates will compete in collegiate athletes at their chosen campuses. Overall, the Class of 2025 earned an average unweighted GPA of 3.47, with 20% of students earning above a 4.0. In total, the graduates have received over $1.8 million in merit-based scholarships from their respective campuses, according to Susank. 'These awards are self-reported by students and families, so that undoubtedly represents just a partial list, but it is an outstanding class which has exceeded all expectations,' Susank wrote to The Tribune.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Brevard's Class of 2025 celebrates graduation
Seniors in the Brevard County Class of 2025 are celebrating as family and friends watch graduation ceremonies across the Space Coast. Ahead of the ceremonies, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Rendell wished students around the district a "bright and fulfilling future." "Graduates, as you step into the next chapter of your lives, remember that learning doesn't end with graduation," he said. "Embrace every opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally. Stay curious, be resilient, and don't be afraid to take risks. Your journey will be filled with challenges, but it's through these challenges that you will find your true strengths." This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Space Coast Class of 2025 seniors celebrate graduation
