I'm so proud of AJ for so many, many reasons...but this was a special day.
AJ managed to "get out" of Georgia Tech in 4 years (something of a feat in itself!) by going to school year 'round and missing out on most of the summer family cruises. His hard work paid off with winning the H. Fukuyo Memorial Scholarship Award. It goes to the graduating physics student having the highest average in the department.
So on May 4 (a rainy Saturday afternoon) we gathered at the graduation ceremony to watch half of Georgia Institute of Technology's graduating class receive their diplomas. The class was divided into morning and afternoon ceremonies to save us having to sit through all the graduates! Hooray!!
Mascot Buzz entertained the crowd before the ceremony.
The Schools processed into the arena.
The School of Science was the first group to be seated!
He had gold and white honor braids- meaning that he was graduating with "Highest Honors"-the English equivalent of "Summa Cum Laude".
Some of the graduates were quite clever with their mortarboards. Electrical Engineers seems especially creative.
It was quite a crowd.
Now before we get to AJ, a little explanation on Buzz, the Georgia Tech mascot. Obviously, there are several "Buzzes", as a mascot appears at every athletic event, and most social events. But the student identity of Buzz is a closely held secret- like a super secret society. Only at the graduation ceremony is it revealed that the student was Buzz. And it is revealed by being escorted across the stage by another Buzz..... AJ's class half had TWO Buzzes graduate. The first one was carried across the stage...
And the second was ridden jockey-style across the stage.
Finally, it's AJ's turn. ( Indulge a very proud mama here....)
Waiting at the bottom of the steps ...
Appearing on the jumbotron...
Having his photo snapped by the professional photographer...
And heading back to his seat.
Tassels were moved and AJ became an Alumnus of Georgia Tech.
Balloons!!
Afterward, two very excited ladies had their photo taken with the grad!
It was a very proud day for me. Now it's onto UCLA and an astrophysics PhD!!!
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