SGA sends special graduation gift to graduates

Student Government Association President Ian Widrick Martinez and Student Involvement Coordinator Mary Eleas were intent on finding a way to celebrate SFCC’s Spring 2020 graduates.

“We know how hard these students worked to complete their coursework remotely this spring. We also know how much our students look forward to a traditional commencement. I talked to several students who were sad and disappointed that they couldn’t have the traditional ceremony that they had dreamed about,” said Widrick Martinez. “So, Mary and I talked about creating a surprise package that would let students know we are celebrating with them.”

SGA purchased 2020 graduation tassels and SFCC-branded face masks to send to all the graduates. The week before the virtual commencement Widrick Martinez and Eleas and Pedro A. Castillon and Diana Baca from the Office of the Registrar packed the tassels and masks, along with the degree and certificate diploma covers and honor cords. A letter from SGA President Widrick Martinez congratulated graduates for reaching this milestone.

“I remember how awesome it was last December at the fall graduation,” Widrick Martinez said. “After I addressed the graduates, I started a chant of, ‘S-F-C-C.’ You could feel the energy and pride when everyone shouted back, ‘S-F-C-C.’ I knew our Spring 2020 graduates would be home alone or with just a few family members watching the virtual ceremony. I wanted them to know that SGA was celebrating with them.”

A number of students contacted Widrick Martinez to let him know they appreciated the special graduation surprise from SGA.