When Mikayla Poon ’21, social media editor of The Santa Clara, learned that 2020 commencement was being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, she started thinking of ways to help graduating seniors process heavy disappointment.
“It’s a weird time to graduate. All these seniors just left. We can’t come back to campus, people still have stuff in their dorms,” she says from her relatives’ house in Boston where she’s quarantining so as to protect her grandmother back home in Hawaii. Realizing she had a built-in platform with the student newspaper’s Twitter feed, Poon—who’s on track to graduate two quarters early this December with a degree in Communication—put out a call for seniors to send in their stories.
“I just wanted seniors to share what they were feeling because I think a lot of people are upset or have complicated feelings they want to process but don’t have a ready outlet to do so,” she says. “It’s not graduation, but it’s something.”
The Santa Clara is offering students who are graduating in these strange, unprecedented times a space to share their stories. Tell them how you’re feeling—angry, sad, anxious, calm, surprisingly glad—to be wrapping up your senior year at SCU away from campus, without the trimmings and touchstones that so often shade the final chapter of a school experience.
Help The Santa Clara by sharing your words, photos, videos, and words of wisdom—either through this form or by tagging your stories with #SCUSeniors (#SCUGrad and #SCU2020 work, too)—and they will share them on social media and we will collect some right here.
We are so sorry it’s not a graduation ceremony. But we still want to applaud all you’ve accomplished, who you’ve become, and all that you’ll achieve in the future. Now that’s something to celebrate.
“I had an amazing 4 years at @SantaClaraUniv," says senior Ally O'Connor, "and am very grateful for all of my friends and faculty, @scuenglish, & @SCReview. I will miss living & learning in a beautiful space with people who inspire me every day." #Boldbroncos #scuseniors #scu2020 pic.twitter.com/bfrcgfrq4V
— SCU Arts & Sciences (@SantaClaraCAS) June 10, 2020
Senior Esha Krishnamoorthy (Communication) was quoted in the @SFGate about the abrupt end to her college experience. “One of the hardest things is that none of us knew it was coming,” she said. #scuseniors #scu2020 https://t.co/9Bqqsmaqvx
— SCU Arts & Sciences (@SantaClaraCAS) May 30, 2020
"I've been able to spend time with loved ones. It's been hard. Not picture perfect at times, but at the same time I feel fortunate to get to stay at a place that makes me feel at home and safe while this pandemic ensues." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 17, 2020
"I'll miss the environment. Being able to just explore my interests amongst talented people. There's a bright future ahead of us. Situationally, it doesn't feel like it is. But things can just get better from here." Kalina Karbowski, Studio Art major #SCUSeniors 3/3 pic.twitter.com/vQ4mmzjUgL
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 17, 2020
"E.g. my communities here, this season of life, even the physical space of the SCU campus. Being suddenly detached from SCU, and having everything washed away by larger concerns, has been disorienting." 2/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 22, 2020
"I've talked to people who are devastated, people who are finding things to celebrate, and people who don't even mind the change so much. This is striking different people in different ways, and I don't know that there's been one cohesive emotional response to the shift." 4/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 22, 2020
"We should adopt perspectives of gratitude, and there are definitely many blessings and joys to be found. But that doesn't mean we can't also be feeling grief or confusion or sorrow!" 6/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 22, 2020
"It's just a complicated time to be living, and we should allow ourselves to process our losses, whatever they may be." Matthew Duff #SCUSeniors 7/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 22, 2020
“I also don’t know if I will ever see my friends again. I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. I was really looking forward to all the events and traditions. Completing my senior year online has caused me to lose all motivation.” 2/4
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 14, 2020
"My fellow Broncos, I miss you all! Please stay safe and stay home so you can all keep going next year." Carolina Salame, Sociology major #SCUSeniors 4/4
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 14, 2020
"It's easy to say now that time is so precious, so make the most of your 4 years at SCU. Be a yes-person and never turn down an opportunity to go out with friends, see a show on campus, attend an event, or even study with friends at the lib." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 5, 2020
"These little moments add up to your college experience, so take advantage of your time together." Courtney Malecki, Communication and French major #SCUSeniors 3/3 pic.twitter.com/2qx16QXlIS
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 5, 2020
"I didn’t know that would be my last walk by the mission for a long time. Hopefully we can use this to bring us closer together! I predict that grad reunions are going to be massive and insane." Aley Evan, Art History and Communication major #SCUSeniors 2/2 pic.twitter.com/F5ztRN3iaF
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 20, 2020
"I will miss the Art History faculty who have been beyond supportive and engaging. I will also miss the opportunities for immersion across the world and in our local communities." Nick Spragg, Economics + Art History major #SCUSeniors 2/2
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 14, 2020
"I'll miss the teachers, faculty, students and ROTC. The experience provided me with the tools to stand in the face of adversity and persevere." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 6, 2020
"To fellow Broncos, finish Strong! Learn! Be That Change! Life it’s not about the achievements but is about the impact you have on those around you!" Scottie-G Huggins, Masters in Arts, Couseling with emphasis in Health Psychology. #SCUSeniors 3/3 pic.twitter.com/8go9qRWyPr
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 6, 2020
Can't believe I'm going to be a college graduate on Saturday! Congrats to all my fellow #classof2020 peers! #SCU2020 #SCUGraduate #SCUSeniors https://t.co/QHdyGkPRMI
— Esha K. (@eshakmusic) June 10, 2020
"@SantaClaraUniv is a special place" says Luca Pagano '20 (Psychology). "The people I've met & the connections I've made will last a lifetime. I'll miss having all the opportunities, classes & resources at my fingertips, all the time." #boldbroncos #lifeatscu #scu2020 #scuseniors pic.twitter.com/hT1BYvvV1k
— SCU Arts & Sciences (@SantaClaraCAS) May 27, 2020
"I'm surprised how much I miss SCU. I was prepared to leave in March anyway because I was graduating but it's been super weird to be living with family again and to have given up a lot of the freedoms that college offered." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 26, 2020
"I miss the people most for sure: professors, friends, Cecilia in the cellar. Let's all agree to come back next year for the big events: basketball games, daygers, etc" Maria Nelson, Psychology major #SCUSeniors 3/3 pic.twitter.com/tH1ZbdlUSW
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 26, 2020
“I’ve been able to spend time with loved ones. It’s been hard. Not picture perfect at times, but at the same time I feel fortunate to get to stay at a place that makes me feel at home and safe while this pandemic ensues.” 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 17, 2020
"I'll miss the environment. Being able to just explore my interests amongst talented people. There's a bright future ahead of us. Situationally, it doesn't feel like it is. But things can just get better from here." Kalina Karbowski, Studio Art major #SCUSeniors 3/3 pic.twitter.com/vQ4mmzjUgL
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 17, 2020
“To my fellow Broncos, I’ll be back (because I’m staying in the Bay Area)! To fellow class of 2020 members: be happy! We’ll have a real, albeit postponed graduation ceremony!” Stephanie Chen, Sociology and Management major #SCUSenior 2/2
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 12, 2020
"Fellow Broncos, thanks for accepting me and allowing me to grow! I've learned lots about who I am and the systems we have in place. Through good and bad, I've loved my time at SCU and it's because of all of you (and professors too) !" Naomi Isom, Marketing major. #SCUSeniors 2/2
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 3, 2020
Lots of plans have had to change recently, much to the frustration and worry of juniors and graduating seniors. But there's still some resources, and hope, to help them out.https://t.co/6uAmxYQ6eW
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 26, 2020
"Being stuck at home with your family means escaping from them is virtually impossible. So I have virtually decided to stay virtual by spending my time racing in a new simulator we constructed last week." Nico Feola, Senior Communication major #SCUSocialdistancing pic.twitter.com/VM6jJqYiln
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 13, 2020
“I'm one of the busiest people I know and being able to sit down and engage in my favorite hobby is so great. Coloring makes me feel happy and I'm glad I have the opportunity to do it again!” – Naomi Isom, Senior Marketing major in the Bay Area #SCUSocialdistancing 2/2 pic.twitter.com/Q3oKv8jRZQ
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 8, 2020
Public Health major Hana Seastedt '20 is finishing up her senior year from her family's home in Laos. See how she's rising to the challenge during this global pandemic: https://t.co/XjQ69aKvmQ
#scuseniors #scu2020 #BoldBroncos pic.twitter.com/8IaK1beEiR
— SCU Arts & Sciences (@SantaClaraCAS) June 10, 2020
#classof2020 #gobroncos #SCUseniors"To me, all those various traditions are symbols of a huge transition – important symbols that help us seniors process and bring closure to our college experience! I'm going to miss those opportunities to reflect and celebrate alongside my classmates." 2/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 14, 2020
"Though the circumstances are bizarre and unfortunate, I'm actually very grateful for that opportunity. Of all the aspects of SCU, I will miss dance the most. It holds an eternally special place in my heart, because of the strong communities it has given me." 4/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 14, 2020
"To my fellow Broncos, I have learned two lessons the hard way during this crazy time: the only constant is change, and be grateful for what you have before it's gone." 6/7
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 14, 2020
"Dive into the world, appreciate the present moment, and accept that everything changes!" Katherine Seely, Finance Major #SCUSeniors 7/7 pic.twitter.com/BGxGHHG7jZ
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 14, 2020
"As a senior, I experienced heartbreak when I heard that the Spring quarter was canceled. As devastating as that was, I would hate for the Fall quarter to also be canceled as it would put even more of a damper on the Class of 2021's mood." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 9, 2020
"My roommate, a member of the class of 2021, told me "he would never take Santa Clara University for granted" ever again. I hope the school remains open in the Fall quarter and allows him to fully keep his promise.” – Shane Hughes #SCUFall 3/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 9, 2020
"I'll miss the campus living and environment the most! To my fellow Broncos, stay home and stay safe." Jeff Collins, Web Design and Engineering major #SCUSeniors pic.twitter.com/uaXvdXt812
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) May 11, 2020
"These relationships with friends and faculty will hopefully stay with me after I graduate, but I will definitely miss being able to have closure during my last quarter." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 28, 2020
"To my fellow Broncos, thank you for being by my side throughout this adventure, and I hope we will all be able to celebrate our senior class together!" Hayley Trillo, Communication major #SCUSenior 3/3 pic.twitter.com/IZ3gZ4zuBF
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 28, 2020
“To my fellow Broncos, keep going! There are times when you can be your toughest critic, but also there are times when you can be your biggest cheerleader!” Nicole-Lourdes Fader, Communication major #SCUSeniors 2/2
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 27, 2020
“I’m hoping we can all come back together soon to celebrate our accomplishments and I am going to miss the community we created more than anything. I have wonderful relationships with so many of the faculty and staff. I will also miss my girls in my off campus house so much!!”2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 16, 2020
"To my fellow Broncos, we may be apart but once a Bronco, always a Bronco!" Tori Brown, Public Health Science and Psychology major #SCUSeniors 3/3 pic.twitter.com/eYhllUgZyI
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 16, 2020
“I feel the university has done an excellent job managing the situation. Virtual or not, I feel grateful to be a part of such a caring and thoughtful community and I know this quarter won’t sour the amazing experience I have had over the past four years.” 2/5
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 12, 2020
"I think it is up to us right now to use our SCU education to look forward, be grateful for what we have, and do as much good in the world as we can." Katrina Rudd, Communication major. #SCUSeniors 5/5
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 12, 2020
"Also, in the grand scheme of things, we'll still be able to graduate with a degree, which is what's important. I will miss the fellow students I've been able to meet and the professors that I've been fortunate enough to get close to." 2/3
— The Santa Clara (@TheSantaClara) April 5, 2020