Aidan Shaw, Maya Barnes
The Commuter
Frederick Community College’s Class of 2022 weathered through two years of a pandemic while balancing classes, as well as their personal and work lives.
Students will finally get a chance to celebrate all the hard work as they receive their degrees during the graduation ceremony May 19 at the Student Center.
According to Graduation and Records Coordinator Kara Bennett, 255 students have signed up for graduation so far.
“At this time, we have the same amount signed up as 2021,” she responded.
Graduation this year won’t look any different, It will be the same way it was done last year, which was a modified commencement ceremony. Bennett said the last year’s ceremony was spread over three days with 10 people permitted inside the Student Center at a time.
“We received very positive feedback on the process,” she said. “The majority of graduates and guests were pleased with being able to celebrate the graduate.”
Students this year who signed up for the commencement ceremony received a cap and gown, were assigned a time slot for graduation and will have their photo taken by a professional photographer.
Sydney McCarron, a graduating sophomore, expressed her plans for her time after FCC and at University of Maryland at College Park. She plans to major in Business Administration.
“I’m looking forward to moving out and just being more independent,” the Frederick native said.
Another graduating student, Evan Evans, said that his post- FCC plans include getting a job with a charity and to continue his education with other organizations.
The sophomore is also looking to put his degree and other FCC credentials on his resume.
“I’m looking forward to wearing my honors tassel at graduation because in high school I had no honors or awards to show, but I do now,” he said.
Throughout their time at FCC there were many good times and memories at FCC as well.
“My favorite FCC memories would probably be any of the fairs and free meals they give out in the Student Center,” McCarron said.
For Evans, one of his favorite memories at FCC was making the Dean’s List.
“Another would be the first day of in person classes Fall 2021. Also, I spoke on a Disability day panel at FCC,” he said.
And of course, both graduating students left some words of advice for future graduating classes..
“Please apply for grants from the state-not loans, join the honors college, and take a public speaking class.”
Evans offered a way to keep grades up.
“Words of advice I’d say is to always do extra credit,” Evans said.
