By Kenyatta
This week, Mercy College/Hudson Link held their commencement for the class of 2009 at Sing Sing. Fernando Bermudez, Carlton Brown, Antione Doran, Mosi Eagle, David Garcia, William Jamison, Christopher kelly, Edward Leary, Wai Liang, Francisco Lopez, Lloyd Narraine, Christopher O’Neill, Chris Payton, Bisham Persaud, Shawn Pratt, Richard Prittler, Keith Reid, and Gary Wheeler each received an Associate in Science degree. Ramon Caba, Thomas Edwards, Brian Harley, Orlando Hernandez, Joseph Miceli, Charles Moore, Jose Robles, Tafarri Saunders, Rashan Smalls, and Todd Young — who was class valedictorian — each received a Bachelor of Science degree. And for the first time, the services were co-ed, as Olga Marchese, Sing Sing’s educational supervisor, was awarded a post Master’s certificate in School Building Leadership, and chose to accept it at this ceremony rather than Mercy’s general commencement exercises.
Guests included Dorothy Buffet (Warren Buffet’s sister) and Harry Belafonte, who received an honorary Master’s degree. The commencement addres was sgiven by Tim Robbins, who spoke eloquently and passionately about transformation, redemption, and salvation. Mr. Belafonte’s words about the strength of community were also inspirational. However, Todd Young, in addressing his family, provided the most moving speech. The raw emotion with which he expressed his satisfaction in doing something which his mother could be proud of was something all of us could identify with.
And there were a lot of families there, with all ages well represented. I have some while to go before I get to participate, but it was inspiring to see how beautiful and proud their faces were at their fathers’ and brothers’ and sons’ accomplishments. This was the second year that I’ve played music at the graduation, and I hope that next year the band will play for me. But for now, congratulations, brethren. you have proven yourselves better than your past, and prepared for the future.
