SMC Graduates Drive to the Finish Line Aja Marshall | Managing Editor
S
oon-to-be graduate Valerie Matias is one of many students in the Santa Monica College (SMC) class of 2021, whose unusual and challenging online-learning experience will end with a unique event — SMC’s first Diploma Drive-Thru Celebration. “It’s gonna be a drive-thru, but I’m excited because even though [school] was difficult, I’m still here, and I was able to get here,” said Matias, who is graduating with an associate's degree in sociology. The drive-thru is scheduled for June 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of SMC’s Bundy campus, next to the Santa Monica Airport. It will be a hybrid event where graduates walk across an outdoor stage and drive around the parking lot in an atypical experience that follows Los Angeles County COVID-19 safety guidelines, and mimics the procession of a traditional ceremony. “[We] wanted to do something different and exciting to help celebrate our students,” said Kiersten Elliot, Dean of Community and Academic Relations at SMC, and one of the lead advisors on the drive-thru planning committee. “We're doing our best to make sure they know how much we love and miss them. This was a really hard time to finish and to finish strong. And I'm just so proud of our students.” Matias admitted that she had a hard time finishing strong at SMC and faced the challenges of remote learning. “There were times when the internet wouldn't work or there would be problems with Zoom or Canvas,” she said. Despite the hardships, Matias noted that she is the first in her family to earn a degree, so the drive-thru celebration will be a profound event for her. “I'm a first-generation student, so that makes it all the more special. I feel like it's not only going to be me graduating, it's going to be my entire family.” Matias continued, “They’re really excited...proud as well. In fact, they've already called like half my family, spreading the news.” Matias also mentioned that her family will drive her on the day of the celebration, as each graduate along with their guests are allowed one vehicle through the route. “It’s going to be this parade kinda thing that will snake all around the building,” said Elliot. She mentioned that along the route, graduates will be able to exit their vehicle to walk the stage and collect their diploma cover, take pictures with their guests outside the car at a designated backdrop, socially distanced from other parties, and pick up a free commencement goodie bag equipped with a graduation cap and tassel, SMC t-shirt, and more. Continued on Page 3