My four years at Salem have granted me the privilege of living in the beauty of our community. Of course, dealing with our global pandemic for more than a year has shifted the way that this community has been able to function. Fortunately, this past weekend, I was once again able to experience a glimpse of that communal beauty during one of my last and most memorable moments as a Salem student.
Saturday’s Commencement Ceremony, after over a year of being away from some of my favorite people, was a day riddled with emotion. Firstly, because I was graduating and now embarking on a truer version of adulthood. But also, because Commencement doubled as a space to grieve the loss of my senior year, where time and traditions with my peers would have made the transition to post-grad feel more gradual and real. I could have never expected to have a senior year like this. But somehow, returning to Winston-Salem and seeing my fellow graduates felt so natural. I think this speaks to the strength of our Salem.
Honestly, this was a difficult year to graduate from college. But I am so grateful for my last moments as a Salem student to be spent amongst you all, once again. Wishing us all greatness as alums. Congratulations, Class of 2021!
Khadija Bangura, C’21