The day was beautiful, it was moving, it was mine.  I was such a nerd doing this, but I kept my camera running throughout the entire procession.  I’m glad I did because I’ll be able to relive that moment forever.  Excuse the poor editing and the way the video ends.  I majored in American Studies, not film! 

For your viewing pleasure (if the embedded video doesn’t show, here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPh9BMq3MYg)… 

The ceremony was perfect and featured some incredible speeches.  There wasn’t one in particular that stood out, but the collective experience of listening to these women articulate themselves left everyone inspired.  It’s hard to describe what I was thinking and feeling throughout the ceremony, but it was a mixture of bittersweet sadness and accomplishment. 

I entered Barnard’s gates in Fall 2004 thinking I had a firm grasp on who I was and what I wanted in life.  I was naive, slightly sheltered, and determined that my college days would be as happy as the high school ones I left behind.  In the past three years, I was pushed and pulled in every direction possible, challenged both intellectually and emotionally.  The things I’ve seen, learned, and experienced have been an undeniable influence in the formation of my identity.  I may not necessarily know what I want to do in life yet, but ask me who I am and I’ll tell you.

I can officially say I am a proud member of the Barnard Class of 2007, a group of women who are strong, beautiful, intelligent, and ready to take on the world.  Speaking on behalf of the class, we are filled with the spirit of our school, an institution that has remained committed to women and their potential for more than a century.  We are the product of our parents, the people who make days like today possible, the people who have so generously given us the gift of a Barnard education. 

In three years, Barnard has taught me so much.  I’ve learned to listen with patience and compassion as much as I’ve learned to debate with confidence and reason.  When reading texts, I’ve been told to excavate and explore the written word, to question and analyze everything, and most of all, understand that there never is a right way to do anything in life.  Because of Barnard, I’m more aware of the injustices that exist in this world, the potential there is to change them, and the knowledge that there are people like my peers who are up for the challenge.  On a more personal level, Barnard has taught me how to take care of myself, to embrace who I am, and to feel from head to toe.  I’ve never cried and laughed more in my entire life than I have the past three years.  It was a time to explore my identity, a time for learning, friendship, and change.  There were definitely some low points, but as I’ve learned, when you’re down, there’s no place to go but up.  And that’s what all of this is – growing up – and what better place for that to happen than Barnard.

All in all, graduation day was a celebration of my college, my class, my past, my place in this world, me. It marked the end of a chapter in my life and one that I’m just about to begin.  It’s true that college is the most selfish endeavor because it’s all all about you the entire time. Me, me, me.  The past three years have been exactly that. Well now’s it’s time to shift gears.  Barnard has equipped me with the proper tools and it’s my responsibility to go out into the world and use them.  It’s time for me to give back the wonderful, pricless gift I’ve been given. 

I can’t thank everyone who’s been a part of this whole experience enough, parents, administrators, professors, friends, and peers.  I can say “I did it!” but I most certainly didn’t do it on my own.  Today is just as much yours as it is mine, which is why I share it with you. 

Here’s to the past three years, moments I’ll always remember, an experience I’ll never forget.  This is just the beginning.