Graduation Day! 🎓🎊

May 17, 2025 — a day I’ll never forget.

Graduation morning began on the beautiful University of Nevada quad, the same place I’ve walked through countless times as a student. But this time, it felt different. This time, I stood among fellow graduates, past professors, alums, and loved ones. The energy was charged, full of joy, pride, and reflection.

I had the honor of sitting with my three closest friends, the ones who have been my rock throughout this journey. We’ve laughed, cried, studied, struggled, and grown together. To end this chapter side by side, wearing our caps and gowns, was incredibly special.

Crossing the stage and receiving my degree was more than just a ceremonial moment — it was the fulfillment of a long-term goal and dream. Graduating from UNR was something I had pinned on my vision board back in my high school leadership class. As a first-generation college graduate, this accomplishment holds deep meaning for me and for my family. I share this achievement with so many of my classmates who, like me, are lighting new paths as they go.

I’ve always felt a deep connection to my community, and this milestone has only strengthened that bond. Especially throughout my past cancer experience and even throughout survivorship, I have received so much encouragement, love, and support. With a degree in social work, I’ll be able to fulfill my purpose of serving others. I know the path won’t always be easy, but I’m grounded in the belief that this work matters because it has worked for me and so many others!

The weekend of graduation, I celebrated surrounded by my closest friends and family — the people who supported me every step of the way. We laughed, we danced, we cried tears of joy. It was the perfect ending to a chapter I’ll always hold close.

To those who cheered me on, thank you. To those walking their own path, keep going — your time will come. And I don’t care if it’s cliche, remember, it's about the journey, not the destination. So, I encourage you to take the scenic route and take the path less traveled.

I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books, Educated by Tara Westover:

“An education is not so much about making a living as making a person.”

And on this day, I felt fully, wholly, beautifully made.

With gratitude,
Brittany