An illustration of three busts of graduating students.
Olivia Blackstone, Oscar Kemp and Yathzelly Ortega are just three of thousands of VCU undergraduates who earned their degrees this month.

May 19, 2023

In their words: Crossing the finish line

In a series of short videos, three new VCU graduates capture their thoughts and emotions in the weeks leading up to commencement.

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By VCU News staff

As she counted down the days until graduation, criminal justice and psychology double-major Olive Blackstone had this to say about completing her undergraduate journey at Virginia Commonwealth University: “It is a little scary, but I am excited. I am ready to keep working, to keep learning. I don’t want to slow down.”

Blackstone, Yathzelly Ortega and Oscar Kemp are just three of thousands of VCU undergraduates who earned their degrees this month. As commencement drew near, in a series of Instagram Reels, they looked back on the hard work and support that got them to the finish line and reflected on what graduating means to their families, their peers and, most important, to themselves.

Follow along on their graduation journeys in the videos below.