LEXINGTON, Ky. — At in-person commencement ceremonies this weekend, University of Kentucky is celebrating not only graduates from the class of 2021, but also students from the class of 2020.
What You Need To Know
- University of Kentcuky hosted in-person graduation ceremonies after nearly 18 months
- Nearly 4,400 students registered to gradaute. 1,000 were from Class of 2020
- In-person ceremony was limited to four invites per graduate
Commencement ceremonies required those attending to wear a mask, social distance and not use handshakes at Rupp Arena on Friday.
Travis Lewis celebrated his daughter, Amaurielle’s graduation with limited capacity.
"21 years for this moment. It brought tears to my eyes like I was so proud. I’m lost of words right now. But yes it’s a big moment for me,” Travis said.
For her high school graduation, Amaurielle said a whole lot of friends and family attended but this time she could only invite four members.
“I’m ecstatic. I can't even describe the feeling I’m so happy I’ve worked so hard for this for the past four years so I’m so excited,” Amaurielle said.
She wondered if she would have a graduation ceremony this year.
“Last year, when the pandemic hit the May graduates and the fall graduates they didn't get a graduation, so we were really worried that we weren't gonna be able to have that this spring but luckily with the vaccines and everybody masking up, we got to do that,” Amaurielle said.
The University of Kentucky honored 4,400 graduates in 10 ceremonies and 1,000 of those attending graduated in 2020 but now received an in-person ceremony.
“It’s just a different graduation to experience the quiet somberness there in the building,” said Natasha, her mother.
Next week, Fayette County Public Schools will be hosting their 2021 high school ceremonies at Rupp Arena with a similar limited capacity.