 Some of you are already seated. Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Community College of Vermont's 2022 commencement ceremony. I am Joyce Judy, president of CCV, and I have the distinct honor of greeting you today to celebrate the class of 2022. This is a very special day for CCV and our graduates. Commencement is always the highlight of the year when so many of us come together to celebrate students and your achievements. Today marks our first in-person ceremony since 2019. When we were planning this in-person event, we had no idea how many people to expect, so we are especially pleased that so many of you decided to join us in person. I am pleased to welcome all of you here to mark this important milestone in students' lives and resume the tradition of gathering to honor graduates, congratulate them as they walk across the stage, and wish them well as they begin their next chapters. It is a privilege to be joined today by Vermont Governor Phil Scott, today's keynote speaker, Dr. Wander, heading Grant, Vermont State College's Chancellor, Sophie Zanotny, this year's Community Service Award recipient, Diane Delmez, coordinator of student advising, Erin Weatherall, faculty members, Allison Dean and Melanie Meyer, and academic dean, Debbie Stewart. Graduates, as you entered the field house this afternoon, you were greeted by a line of faculty and staff who were integral to your success at CCV. Your instructors offered their expertise and encouragement, challenging you to expand your knowledge and hone your skills. CCV staff supported and guided you along the path to meeting your goals. They joined us at graduation to be the first to congratulate you on your achievements. I ask the faculty and staff on this line and many others in the audience to please stand. And graduates, please join me in recognizing them. I would also like to acknowledge the more than two dozen graduates from CCV's class of 2020 and 2021 who are joining us today after having missed the opportunity to celebrate their achievements in person over the past two years. We welcome and congratulate you. I would like to thank all the CCV staff as well as the staff here at Norwich University who have organized this event. We appreciate the effort that went into coordinating this special occasion in honor of our graduates and their many accomplishments. Thank you. Graduates, today we recognize more than 450 of you who have earned your college degree. You have put in the hard work and late nights. You have sacrificed time with your families. You have persevered through uncertainty and disruption. At CCV, we supported you not just as students, but as whole people. And today we celebrate the many unique characteristics that define you as individuals and as a community. The class of 2022 is remarkably diverse. And at the same time, you share many common experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations. Almost 300 of you are the first in your family to graduate from college. This is impressive. Being the first in your family to graduate from college means that you had the courage to navigate the uncharted territory of a college education. It is never easy to be first. And the Community College of Vermont's community congratulates you on this determination. 75 of you are earning a degree in early childhood education and will go on to serve Vermont families at an important time in their lives. You will play a crucial role in helping young children build strong foundations. 99 of you enrolled in CCV classes while you were still in high school. You took the initiative to get a jumpstart on your future and you successfully balanced college-level coursework alongside your academic and extracurricular activities as high school students. 31 of you are pursuing careers in health care. And as professionals in this high-demand field, you will be invaluable to Vermont's health care system in the years to come. Nearly all of you were working during your time as CCV students, not only were you focused on academics, but on your responsibilities as employees. You juggled busy schedules, maximizing the hours in each day to be present at your jobs, be successful students, and attend to life's other demands. 67 of you completed the professional field experience course as part of your requirements to earn your degree. This class gave you real-world experience in your chosen field and will help you in numerous ways as you move forward in your career. One of you is just 17 years old, and one of you is nearly 70. The Brett in Age is a hallmark of the CCV community, and many of you have reflected on the value of learning alongside classmates from multi-generations. Three of you were leaders with the Student Advisory and Leadership Council. You went above and beyond your academic commitments to contribute your time, energy, and enthusiasm in service of strengthening the CCV community. Nine of you received a leadership scholarship during your time at CCV. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to your classrooms, academic centers, and local communities. Most of you are from one of Vermont's 14 counties, but three of you call Connecticut home. One of you is from Massachusetts, and 11 of you are from New Hampshire. 16 of you have home states beyond New England. In addition, another 17 of you hail from countries outside of the US, and 28 of you speak multiple languages. You each brought a unique perspective to your CCV classes, enriching your learning environment and challenging your peers and instructors to look at new ways to do things. 51 of you have demonstrated your commitment to academic excellence through membership in the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa. This spring, several of you received awards for your leadership and scholarship, and your efforts resulted in the entire CCV chapter being recognized at the PTK Regional Convention. 13 of you are veterans or active duty members of the military, and another 30 of you have a military connection in your family. You have made and are making incredibly honorable sacrifices on behalf of your communities and your country, and we thank you for your service. I would like to ask all veterans and military-connected graduates to stand, and we're gonna give you one more round of applause. Congratulations to the entire class of 2022. Each of you have navigated the disruptions of a global pandemic to persevere in completing your degree, and now you share the proud distinction of college graduates. Congratulations. At this time, I would like to invite the governor of the state of Vermont, Phil Scott, to the podium to greet and congratulate the class. Governor Scott. Good afternoon, everyone. It's great to be here, especially after two years of virtual celebrations, and thank you, President Judy, and all of you for having me, and congratulations to the class of 2022. You have so much to be proud of. It's an honor for me to be here with you and your families to celebrate the end of an important chapter of your lives, and more importantly, the start of one that'll be even more exciting. Of all the commencement exercises and ceremonies I attend, this one has the most meaningful because I know how hard you've worked to get here, and I can assure you I don't say that at every graduation. I can see the sense of pride, not only in your eyes, but on the faces of your parents, grandparents, children, and in some cases, grandchildren. Juggling between work and class, being a parent first and student second, finding time to fit in an education into a life already full of responsibility. This is the type of effort and the type of opportunity that makes me so impressed with what CCV has to offer. We know furthering your education isn't nearly as accessible or affordable as it needs to be, but this is something I'm committed to as governor, and CCV is an example of what's possible. It's no secret in something you may have heard say many times before, but we desperately need to grow our workforce here in Vermont, and that's why we're focused on making sure all Vermonters can get the education and training needed to find a good job and a career, whether that's a PhD, an LNA, a CDL, or an electrical license, and I thank CCV for their role in making all this happen. Whatever degree you're receiving today, I hope you'll use it right here in Vermont, because as I just mentioned, we desperately need you. And I know CCV is giving you the tools needed to be successful, because while getting that piece of paper today is gratifying, we're really celebrating what you've already achieved, which is a great education and the skills needed to walk right into a great job or move up the ladder in your current one. And here's a little advice. Don't let the fear of failure hold you back. Don't be afraid to take advantage of those opportunities when they come along, and don't shy away from taking a chance, because if you don't put yourself out there, you're selling yourself short. I say that realizing many of you already know all about this, because just getting here today required you to face fears, take some risks, tackle the unknown, and most importantly, to work really hard. For that, you have my respect and my sincerest congratulations. I also appreciate all those who support you every step of the way. So the moms and dads, aunts and uncles, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and kids out there, it's also your day to celebrate and be proud. So thanks again for having me and congratulations. Thank you, Governor Scott. At CCV, we take great pride in community service, encouraging students, faculty, and staff to become more involved citizens. At commencement, we honor individuals who have given time and energy in service to others. I would now like to invite Diane Delmas to join me at the podium. Diane? The Community Service Award is presented each year in recognition of sustained and profound service to our state. This year, it is my distinct privilege to present this award to Diane Delmas. As the Director of Higher Ability Vermont, formerly the State's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Diane's leadership and vision has helped countless Vermonters with disabilities overcome barriers to employment. She has been a steadfast partner of CCVs and we have collaborated for more than 25 years in our joint effort to provide pathways to valuable credentials for all Vermonters. Diane and her team share CCV's conviction that everyone is entitled to a high quality education and the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. Her creative, innovative approach has not only connected employees with life-changing job opportunities, but has also allowed employers to understand just how much individuals with disabilities have to contribute to businesses and to the workforce. She has always kept Vermonters at the heart of her work and an unwavering focus on helping others guides her effort to create more equitable, resilient and vibrant workforce. Diane, we thank you for your service to Vermont. It is an honor to present you with this award. Many CCV students are active leaders in their communities and dedicate a great deal of time and effort to supporting the people around them. This year, we are very pleased to present the Student Leadership Award to Iris Robert. Iris, will you please join me at the podium. Iris graduates today from the Winooski Academic Center with a degree in Liberal Studies. Iris started out at CCV in the fall of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and she has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout the past two years. In addition to being a dedicated, hardworking student, Iris served as vice president of leadership for CCV's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and was an active member of the Student Advisory and Leadership Council, a peer mentor to other students, and a participant in CCV's new student orientations. Outside of CCV, she is involved with the Young Writers Project where she hosts a poetry podcast. Her thoughtfulness and positive energy have been an inspiration to the CCV community. Iris plans to transfer to Bennington College where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in literature. Congratulations, Iris. Graduates, today you become CCV alumni. In this role, you will always be members of the CCV community. With generous support from past graduates, every year we award the alumni scholarships to graduates who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree. This year, we are proud to award the alumni scholarship to Nicole Dawson and Jamila Ifton. Will Nicole and Jamila please come forward? Nicole Dawson studied at Armand Piliar Center. And she earns her degree in environmental science. Nicole's professional field experience class led her to Burlington Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, where she now works full-time. Her long-term career goal is to become a game warden and she will pursue a bachelor's degree in environmental science at Unity College. Jamila graduates today from CCV Winooski with a degree in liberal studies and she will continue at Vermont Tech to study dental hygiene. As a first-generation college student, Jamila has a desire to promote diversity and equity in both education and in the field of dentistry. And she looks forward in her words to helping individuals achieve beautiful smiles and good oral health. Congratulations to both of you on receiving this award. This year we are pleased to honor faculty excellent at commencement. The teaching excellent awards are given annually to faculty members who have been nominated by students, faculty, and staff with the vast majority of nominations coming from students. The 2021-22 teaching excellent award recipients this year are Allison Dean, Melanie Meyer, and Telly Halkias. Unfortunately, Telly was not able to attend today's ceremony but I'd like to ask Allison and Melanie to join me at the podium. Allison Dean has been a CCV instructor since 1999. She teaches online courses in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and other sciences and she complements her role as a CCV faculty member with teaching positions at Vermont Tech and Champlain College. Melanie Meyer teaches anatomy and physiology and microbiology among other science courses as part of our Allied Health preparation curriculum. A naturopathic physician, she brings real world experience to the classroom where her students are preparing for careers in healthcare. Telly Halkias is a military veteran, journalist, poet, and former businessman who brings a global perspective to a wide variety of courses he teaches at CCV, from war literature to the capstone course, seminar, and educational inquiry. Of course, all of you graduates are familiar with. Congratulations Allison, Melanie, and Telly. We thank you for your commitment to teaching and learning excellence and for the many ways in which you support CCV students. Now graduates, you will hear from one of your own. The student speaker for the class of 2022 is Kirsten Kiersey from CCV's Upper Valley Academic Center. Unfortunately, due to COVID, a positive test on Thursday, Kirsten is not able to join us in person today, but she will be addressing her classmates remotely. If there is one thing COVID has taught us, is we have to be flexible and adaptive and you will see that today. But here to introduce Kirsten before she joins us on the screen is coordinator of student advising, Erin Weatherall. Good afternoon, graduates of 2020, 2021, and 2022. It is my distinct honor to introduce this year's student speaker, Kirsten Kiersey. I first met Kirsten when I started working at CCV three years ago. In that time, I have come to know her to be a resilient student who lives by the golden rule. Kirsten has been a leader in the classroom, a strong advocate for CCV, and a kind, supportive, and engaged member of our Upper Valley Center community. She has happily sat on student panels during access days, has willingly participated in the past two green up days, and has received multiple student recognition awards in her time at CCV. In preparing for this introduction, I read final evaluations from her instructors over the past few years. There was universal acclaim for the poise, dedication, and curiosity that Kirsten brought to her studies and into the classroom. The lessons of the past two years are still unfolding for us. We certainly learned that we never know what the future holds. But watching students like Kirsten navigate the challenges of the pandemic while also continuing in their education gives me hope and reminds me that our brave little state is full of remarkable people who make a difference every single day. Without further ado, Kirsten Cursey. Hello, everyone. Unfortunately, I cannot join you here today as I tested positive for COVID on Thursday morning, but I'm so excited to address you and I'm here in spirit. It is an honor to stand before you all today and congratulate all of my fellow graduates. You've done it. You have put in the hard work that's gotten you here today, and you'll have this accomplishment forever. This is an exciting day, a day that I hope you all cherish for the rest of your lives. This may be your first time walking in graduation, like myself, and some of you may be the first in your family to attend and complete college. You may have attended the Community College of Vermont during or directly after high school, or you may have returned to an educational setting after being a member of the military or working for many years. I understand that this has been a long road for many of you. I came to CCB five years ago and slowly chipped away at my degree while managing my chronic illness and balancing the part-time job. I found that at CCB, taking more than two years to earn your associates and balancing other life responsibilities is incredibly common, the norm in fact. I learned this early on as I spoke with my classmates during my third semester at CCB and all of them told me how long they had been there. I recall two were in their second to last term, one having been there for three years and the other for five. I was humbled and encouraged by the resilience of my classmates. Not only have you all managed to complete your associates while balancing other life responsibilities, you have managed to do so during a global pandemic. I remember the day I got the email saying that CCB was going to put all classes online for just two weeks while the pandemic flew over. I went to get drinks with the classmates to start off what seemed to be a small vacation. There was a novelty to online classes in the beginning. I got to roll out of bed 10 minutes before my morning courses started, only to shuffle over to my desk and turn on my computer. Sometimes I even stayed in my PJs and threw on a hoodie to achieve a more put together look. I would always get a snack during break and sometimes eat Ben and Jerry's with my camera off. The smug glee of not having to leave the house quickly vanished as the two weeks in online classes turned into until the end of the semester and then two years. As more people got sick and experienced loss, the weight of the pandemic started to become apparent. Classes became more stressful than they had ever felt. I ended up taking the summer and fall term of 2020 off from school. It was hard not to feel like I was failing in my education during this time. I imagined some of you had similar experiences to this. When I started taking courses again, all of the professors that I had, I had the privilege of studying with understood the struggle of learning during this tumultuous time. There was a joy of returning to classes. I was able to learn alongside my classmates in Zoom. I could listen to all their experiences during the pandemic while also hearing stories that brought smiles to my face. I met so many cats and dogs in the occasional baby through Zoom. During SEI, my SEI course over the summer in 2021, enjoyed seeing all of my classmates sitting outside and getting fresh air. Sometimes I'd hear the playful squeals of children in the background. I enjoyed sharing the classroom with parents, those in the workforce, veterans, students with health conditions, and many more individuals with diverse experiences. The classroom was always a rich learning environment as not only were the professors enthusiastic about the materials that they were teaching, but my classmates brought their unique perspectives and life stories to the table. The college truly felt like a community as all the students worked towards the common goal of completing our education. I never felt like I was alone if I was struggling to grasp a concept. I often think of my statistics course. Despite the professors' phenomenal job of teaching the concepts, there was a constant air of confusion among the class, the kind that caused students to laugh and come lottery whenever one of us spoke out in puzzlement. I remembered the professor leaving the classroom to print off the weekly test. One of my classmates said, uh-oh, test time. And another, who I had never heard speak before this moment or since uttered one word. And that word was the F-bomb. This being said, the professor was always willing to work with us and help us understand the material. He once met with me for an hour just to help me figure out a small section of questions on the homework. The faculty was always incredibly supportive and encouraging to push students to learn for the joy of acquiring knowledge rather than just completing coursework for the sake of a grade. The staff genuinely wanted us to succeed and I wanna take a moment to thank all the staff and faculty here today. I'm honestly grateful to CCV for my time there. I imagine that for many of you, like myself, the end of our time at CCV feels bittersweet. Even though it is hard to say goodbye, CCV has prepared us for the next steps that we take in our lives. The community college introduced me to my local community and helped me build connections that I hold dear. Some of you may be starting a new career or continuing your education at a four-year school. CCV has encouraged me to be a lifelong learner. No matter where you all go next, I hope you continue to seek knowledge and new experiences. I know I will. Thank you. I'm so glad that Kirsten could join us, even if it was remotely, because you can imagine how devastated she was when her tests became positive. At this time, I am pleased to introduce our keynote speaker, Dr. Wanda Heading Grant. Dr. Heading Grant has dedicated her life and her career to higher education and the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in her communities. Currently serving as Carnegie Mellon University's inaugural vice provost for DEI and chief diversity officer, she also holds a faculty appointment at Carnegie Mellon University as a distinguished service professor in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. Dr. Heading Grant formally served in senior leadership roles at the University of Vermont, including as UVM's vice president for DEI and vice president for human resources, diversity, and multicultural affairs. Her work has been informed by her experiences growing up in Trenton, New Jersey, where she first developed an awareness of the complex dynamics of gender and race and by her undergraduate years as a first generation student at the University of Vermont, where she was inspired to work toward a more diverse and inclusive learning environment. Dr. Heading Grant is also a distinguished leader in the broader community. She has served on the board of Vermont Public Radio, the Flynn Center for Performing Arts, the United Way, the Vermont Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights, among others. She has inspired leagues of students, leaders, and colleagues to embrace and celebrate their authentic selves in pursuit of social justice, cultural competency, and inclusive excellence. In 2008, she founded Blackboard Jungle as a professional development event for faculty, administrators, and students at UVM. This seminal effort grew into what is now known as UVM's Inclusive Excellence Symposium, a much heralded conference that recently attracted more than 500 participants. She is a recipient of numerous local and national awards. In just this year, the Vermont Women in Higher Education created a new award for justice in her name. As CCV strives to cultivate a more diverse, inclusive and equitable learning community, Dr. Heading Grant sets a powerful example of how to create lasting change in higher education. We are pleased and honored to have Dr. Wanda Heading Grant here today to address the class of 2022. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm trying to, I was thinking a couple of times that I might cry and maybe you'll understand in a moment why that is possible besides the fact that I cry very easily. But I wrote some thoughts down here that I'd like to share with you all and I'm taking my glasses off so that I might be able to see. So I wanna say good afternoon, illustrious graduates, loved ones, family, friends and colleagues. As it was said, I am Wanda Heading Grant and I use she, her, hers pronouns. It is my pleasure to stand before you healthy and blessed to be vertical and to be counted among the numbers here today. Many thanks to President Joyce Judy, her wonderful team in the Community College of Vermont, CCV for inviting me here into this space to celebrate with you and to share a few thoughts with you. I must give a special shout out to Mary Brotsky. Thank you, my friend. You're all that and a bag of chips. She is your HR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executive Director here at CCV. I feel very honored, special to speak at CCV's commencement. CCV is very important, very much a part of our community in Vermont. I applaud its mission, the president, faculty and staff for their dedication and the hard work that supports all students from all works and walks of life, especially in their educational goals. To let you know how important it was or is for me to be here today, I drove from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Colchester, Vermont, my home a few days ago. Then yesterday morning from Colchester to York, Maine, where a board I sit on is meeting for the weekend. Got up this morning, drove the two and a half hours back to Vermont to get here. And when I'm done, I'm headed back to Maine to join my board meeting that's still in progress until tomorrow. You know what that means. It's great, it's great. I was thinking about this, you know, might there be a spot for me in a Marvel's movie, you know, Superwoman, Superhero. The only thing is that I wish I could fly because I would have been here a lot sooner. There was once a newspaper in Vermont that called me Magic Wanda. And it was about the work that I was doing around DNI seven days. And I'm not quite sure why they called me that. I would often say it only reminded me of the movie Magic Mike. And I was thinking Magic Wanda, right? So, but what I said to them in doing my DNIB work, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work, as well as justice work, there's no abracadabra. It's hard work. And there was none this morning. It was all my foot to the pedal to get here, to be with you, to be a part of this part today, okay? That's important for me to tell you that. And besides, I had been in Vermont for almost 40 years. I arrived in the state of Vermont, sight unseen, to attend the University of Vermont. And I have some things to say. I stand before you in the spirit of belonging, being able to show up as my authentic self without any repercussions. With the hope that you will listen to me, you will hear me and that you will welcome me. You have walked that long, this long walk, and I know CCV is better because you were here. You leave behind a legacy for just being here. And it's important to always honor this institution. Never forget CCV, it's so important. I applaud you for this milestone, a marker as some of you go on to other higher education institutions and others who are fulfilling a lifelong dream. Whatever your purpose, members of the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022, I applaud you, applaud yourself. In my early years, I believe that chance or providence put me on the path to where I am now. But I no longer think coincidence or luck paved my way by itself. After taking the time to examine my personal and professional roadmap, I wanted to better prepare myself for future bumps, obstacles, and detours that lied ahead. Taking the time to study the landscape around me and by clarifying my priorities, along with my life experiences, I became better at navigating my way through and into higher education. I knew where and when I needed to make stops. I knew when and where I needed to speed up my pace. I knew when and where I needed to take care of myself for self-care. I understood that there were times that I needed to stop, that I needed to take my spiritual walks. It was hard, no matter how much I tried, to be able to get people sometimes to understand, to see the importance of respect, civility, integrity, diversity, and inclusion, responsibility, innovation, fairness, and equity. So I have a question for the graduates. But there's only one answer. Don't you love Vermont? I love Vermont. Not because it's perfect, but because it helped me find my superpowers. My time here changed my life in ways I never thought about. The education I received formal and informal was invaluable. Of course I did not always see it that way. And of course there were trials and tribulations, but now older and wiser, it has been the kind of journey that others wish for. It is here I wish to retire. I have called Vermont my home for all my adult life. This is so ironic because I initially couldn't wait to leave Vermont. It was hard to see myself surviving in this place called Vermont. And yet as a first generation college student, who said to her guidance counselor that she wanted to be different. Part of me being different was to attend a different institution of higher education than my peers. But I felt like I had ruined my life. I had made the wrong decision with nowhere to turn. My guidance counselor was proud and I was lost. I was for sure that going to college was gonna change my circumstances, my family's financial circumstances. I did not understand that I needed to do more than just get into college. I needed to rely on multiple skills to earn that degree, become employed, and ultimately stay employed. This is why I consider myself a life-long learner. I really did not know what it meant to attend college, to a select a college. No one had gone before me. I didn't even know you could transfer from one college to another. No one told me that, where my family was just counting on me and I wanted to make them proud for I was the first. To drive home my point, I chose the University of Vermont over the University of Pittsburgh because I thought the city of Pittsburgh was colder than the whole state of Vermont. I did not know what I was doing. My only reference was watching my dad and my brothers watch the football games and I could see the snow coming down around the stadium. That was my reference. Yes, I had my family's hopes and their dreams. Mines were overshadowed by theirs, but I didn't mind because I liked and I loved them. They liked and loved me. We were a family, we were a unit. They had my back, I certainly had theirs. My sadness was a stark difference than excitement I felt when I arrived in Burlington after an 11-hour drive that should have been eight hours with my mom, aunt, and cousin, who spent most of the time telling me what to do, what to expect, and certainly what not to do. I had a bunch of butterflies and nerves going on and yes, that car ride. There was a lot of conversation about what it would be like for me as a black African-American woman coming to a predominantly white state, going to a predominantly white institution. They stayed less than 24 hours to settle me into my residential hall, leaving me with my new roommate, Diana, from White River Junction, and off they went the very next morning to New Jersey. There was a silver lining out of my harsh reality of how I grew up, moderately poor. I could see the injustices around me. I could see where systems were broken. I did not have the language, the vocabulary for it. It grew, but it is here in this state and my mother's love and tenacity that I learned how to go forward and not backwards. It is here that I formalize my thought about how I can help others. Today, I personally and professionally believe that we must be emboldened and charged to do our utmost to ensure equitable access to education for all. As a matter of fact, I made a career out of it. We must be compassionate. We must have an ethic of care, no matter the profession. It is why I call myself a social worker. I am a social worker. Education opened the doors for me. As I come on around the end soon, I want to tell you this, being in Vermont allowed me to converse with Harry Belafonte for three hours in a Vermont airport where he shared stories about his walk with Dr. King. It allowed me to meet my husband of 32 years, soon to be 33. My children were born here. I was able to laugh and get into some good trouble with the late great John Lewis. I cooked three times, three times for BB King in his orchestra. He gave me $100 for my sweet potato pie. I shook hands with Ellie Wazelle, Bishop Tutu. My superpower was just growing and growing. I volunteered for the Salvation Army. I worked at Women Helping Better Women. I loved working four years to make some money at McDonald's while I went to college. I learned about frost heaves. I understood that drive-ins still exist. It is where the doctors and nurses helped me with my breast cancer. It is here that I learned how to be a cultural architect. This is why I love Vermont. Not because it's perfect, but it helped me with my superpower, courage, grit, fortitude. So what are you gonna do with your Vermont education? Think about the underrepresented. Think about the marginalized. Think about the others that you other. Don't leave anyone behind. My hope is that you do something good for all people and you use it as your jumping off point or your continuing point to be lifelong learners for the betterment of yourself and for all of us. You are equipped with the power to forge a new future to whom much is given, much is expected, as well as required. Be an impact for good. For your efforts and actions, whether you know it or not may be the reason there is less hatred and violence against the innocent. The title character of Ralph Ellison's book, Invisible Man Expresses, I Am Invisible. Understand simply because people refuse to see me. Do not refuse to see me. And I end with, this is for the unforgettable, the unafraid, the undefeated, the ones who survived by any means necessary and the ones who did not. This is for the undeniable. This is for the unflappable, the audacious. This is for the unlimited, the unstoppable, the undiscovered, unbending, the underdogs, the dreamers and the doers. This is for you. This is for you. And all of this is for us. Congratulations. Thank you. Would you come back to the podium and I would like to present you with this plaque. Thank you so much for that powerful address. It gives us much to think about. 2022 marks the seventh year of the CCV chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. An international honor society for community college students who demonstrate academic integrity and excellence. You likely noticed when these students entered the field house wearing yellow stoles which symbolize their membership in PTK. I would like to ask all graduating members of Phi Theta Kappa to be stand and be recognized. Graduates, it is now time to turn our attention to the moment you've been waiting for, the awarding of your degrees. The many people who have helped you reach this moment are here in the audience with you today to help you celebrate this achievement. I'd like to ask all the families, all the friends and supporters of our graduates to rise and I'd like to ask graduates to please help me thank them. None of us do this alone and this is a special day for graduates but it's a very special day for all of you and I just wanna thank all of you for this time. CCV has a long standing tradition that you will share in today. As you leave the platform after receiving your diploma, CCV staff members will present you with a red carnation. The flower is the symbol of the many people in your lives who have helped you reach this day and now academic dean Debbie Stewart will present the class of 2022. President Judy, it is my honor to present to you the graduating class of 2022, all of whom have met the requirements for the associate degree. By the authority vested in the Community College of Vermont by the Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges, I confer upon you the class of 2022, the associate degree. Will graduates from Bennington please stand and come to this end of the stage? I ask that graduates from all other centers remain seated until you're invited to come forward by the ushers. And just as a word of note, as a health precaution, I will be handing graduates their diplomas but I won't be shaking folks' hands. Mary Ann. Students from the Bennington Center, Sheila Ann Norse. Joshua Aaron Boucher. Savannah Danielle Goch. Allison Catrick. Quinn Loomis. Erin Nicole Murphy. Elizabeth Cassandra Honorato. Samantha Jordan Sol. Faith Sullivan. Sarah M. Webster. Ryan M. Williams. Crystal Patricia Myers. Deanna Lauren Oaks. John H. Clark. Mark Allen Denio. Autumn Morse. Alejandro Toledo Kornman. Amanda Lynn Burlock. Abigail S. Gendro. Ashley Fowler. Kimberly Ann Richards. Sadie Brooke Roy. Angela Marie Shugart. Pearl Lily Sutton. Wade W. Stevens. Kelsey Marie Treadway. Melissa Ardell. Marcus Alexander Carr. Rebecca A. Davin. Nicole Dawson. Emily Gambler. Ariana Hausman. Christiana Lee Kenneson. Melissa Victoria Valentin. Gage Kilmer. Catherine P. Legacy. Lisa Claire McCall. Cherokee Dawn Morning. Elizabeth M. O'Connell. Dimitri X. Otis. Elizabeth Jane Peralt. Lily Mara Pringles. Simone Annette Scovel. Ryan Edward Sherlock. Christopher Peyton West. Lisa Bates. Ryan James Bates. Amy J. Cox. Shannon R. Gill. Renee Marie Hall. Jesse James. Karina Faye Lyon. Kelly Lynn Shortsleeve. Ashley M. Thompson. Rhoda Ann Viss. Jennifer Bernier. Wanda Jean Cochran. Jennifer Cody. Sierra Gerard. Annie Hoadley. Chelsea N. Kellogg. Madison Leno. Laura J.L. LeMay. Tara Martin. Catherine St. Marie. Raven Antonio. Hannah Alice Bartlett. Riley Elizabeth Bouchard. Flowey Bright. Patrick Du Bois. Brianna King. Jennifer L. Pittman. Floyd T. Porter. Jerika Lynn Robair. Liana Roque. Jennifer Spellis. Kristy Ann Swartzkopf. Kylie C. Walton. Ellen DeWayne Elliott Baird. Samantha Ann Benoit. Veronica Marie Daniel. Evan Diaz. Michael Danielle John Garland. Tanya Mae Jondro. Dakota Skyler Heckeroth. Barbara Jean McGuire. Christine Santoro. Taylor Mackenzie Shorthing. Ayla Margaret Thompson. Veronica Karen Thornton. Cassandra Barbara Wilk. Taylor Cole. Nikita Lenehan. Dana Oliveire. Whitney Lee Andrews. Aimee Batchelder. Lauren Bolio. Terry Boulanger. Heidi Ann Connell. Justin Caleb Custer. Avalon R. Denalt Reynolds. Alexandria Taylor Dupont Lawrence. Brianna Massey. Lucia Pelkey. Jeffrey Michael Shukai. Jessica Marie Taylor. Hannah Janine Teebear. Ashley Renee Tomer. Trisha M. Ward. Patty Fecto. Sarah Nicole Jimenez. Rebecca J. Tanner. Amanda Lynn Berry. Emily R. Bowles. Julie M. Brough. Danielle DePallo Brower. Jasmine Danforth. Sasha Mitzi Garfinkel. Jamie Lee Green. Sean Kathleen Hamilton. Jillian Hatch. Geneva Cecile Panella Horster. Carissa Leigh LaShore. Jamie L. Masterson. Laurie Ann Maxwell. Tanya Lynn Martell. Catherine Ann O'Day. Kimberly Plant. Jessica Leigh Swighart Proudy. Ashley Leigh Radicione. Justin Michael Severance. Rose Walker. Josephine Elizabeth Wisk. Kayla Alexander. Lauren Ann Audette. Habiba N. Awile. Linda Eno Bassi. Omolola Balikis Bello. Danielle P. Bushy. Nate Connolly. Elon Eleanor Crete. Danny Davis. Michael B. Deering II. Omar Dersey. Alicia Dumala. Maria Eleanor Drown. Anastasia Nell Dyer. Marissa Fabrico. Christina L. Hermanson. Jamila Musa Iften. Zainab Khanku Kuyate. Ibrahim Hussein Mohammed. Noah A. Patnode. Amanda Catherine Reed. Nicole Rock. Iris Elizabeth Robert. Anna Frances Svetlana Rowland. Anastasia Leigh Regero. Christina A. Soder. Julia Lauren Winrock. Now graduates, as a class, you may move your tassels from right to left. Congratulations. Congratulations to the class of 2022. We are proud that CCV has been a part of your journey, and we hope you will take time to celebrate and enjoy this moment. As you move on to your new chapters, we trust that you will continue to call on your unique qualities, as well as what you have learned here to build stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive communities wherever you go. The group on the platform will lead the graduates out. I will ask the audience to remain seated until the graduates have completed the recessional. Thank you again.