Teen Vogue interviews seniors about ‘Corona-mencement’

Teen Vogue interviewed University of Maine students Rachel Davidson and Gabriela Reyes Jusino for its story about college seniors finding creative ways to celebrate as courses were moved online in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Davidson and friends had planned to participate in what originally was planned as a small mock graduation ceremony in front of the Fogler Library, according to the article. But as more seniors signed up and organizers recruited faculty to speak, the gathering was dubbed “Corona-mencement.” The celebration was held prior to the release of federal guidelines that recommended against gatherings of 50 people. But seniors were advised to maintain safe social distances as they donned borrowed caps and gowns, celebrated and received makeshift diplomas, according to the article. Jusino told Teen Vogue, “It was the first time most of us smiled in a while. Before getting our diploma, we got a high five from our mascot, an elbow bump from our dean of students, and finally, a squirt of hand sanitizer to finish it all off.” ABC News mentioned UMaine’s “Corona-mencement” in its story about good news happening amid the coronavirus outbreak. “As many universities closed last week due to the coronavirus, many seniors across the country scrambled to make graduation ceremonies happen. From the University of Maine to the University of Michigan, seniors celebrated their accomplishments with an impromptu affair and shared photos of it all on social media with the hashtag ‘Coronamencement,’” read a snippet of the article with the subhead “Uplifting moments are coming to light as we prioritize our health and safety.” The Week magazine also highlighted the “Corona-mencement.”