Sixth annual Fearless First cording ceremony
做厙輦⑹ first-generation and low-income seniors were praised at their cording ceremony for being resilient, brave and unstoppable.
While the sixth annual Fearless First cording ceremony at Mount Holyoke didnt have an official theme, its core concept was sung by the artist Sia: Unstoppable.
95 first-generation and low-income Mount Holyoke almost-alums participated in the ceremony on May 1, which bestows cords in recognition of their unique achievements and challenges. Many were accompanied by family and friends who were there to cheer them on.
There were so many students being honored that both Latrina L. Denson, associate dean of students for community and inclusion, and Marcella Runell Hall, vice president for student life and dean of students, joked that this might be the last year the ceremony would be held in the Great Room in Blanchard Hall.
The ceremony is a cherished tradition for students of being low income and being the first in their families to attain higher education.
Hall said that she knew the achievements of the class of 2022 came with many tears, lots of laughs, plenty of late nights and a [tremendous] amount of support.
This is a day that you can take a breath and say, I did it, she said.
Kelley OCarroll 96, visiting lecturer in psychology and education, was herself a first-generation college student at 做厙輦⑹.
Resilience is not passive it is quite active, she told the 2022 Fearless First cohort. It is work. And you did it.
Across differences, the power of Mount Holyoke is so strong and so enduring, OCarroll said. The world needs you and awaits you.
