Car Parade Celebrates Anne Arundel Community College Graduates

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Rain or shine, Anne Arundel Community College graduates will be honored Friday at 10 a.m. with a special car parade event called "Road to the Future: A Graduation Celebration." It may not be a stage they are crossing for their 58th commencement, but they will be duly honored with one last loop around campus for the school's first car parade.

There are approximately 2,140 students graduating this spring with almost 2,450 degrees and certificates. So far, officials are aware of at least 200 students who plan to participate in the event. Graduates from last summer and fall, as well as this spring, have been invited to participate.

Kevin Lemus, a 21-year-old Laurel resident, earned an associate’s degree in construction management and plans to attend Morgan State University in the fall. He said he’s participating in the parade for his family who wanted to see him graduate as a first-generation college student. Especially inspirational is that his mom and sister will be riding in the vehicle with him.

Heather Austin, a 34-year-old transfer studies graduate from Pasadena, plans to enroll at a four-year university for business management. She said she's participating in the parade because "my family and I are taking every opportunity to celebrate the little things and big things that happen in our lives. It's also important to me that my children see and recognize the importance of going to college and reaching goals." She said she has been looking forward to celebrating graduating after it took her 16 years to earn her degree

“Commencement is a highlight of our academic year. I look forward to it every year,” said Dr. Dawn Lindsay, AACC president. “What our students have accomplished is extraordinary and we are grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge their hard work and commitment. We wanted to find a safe and creative way to celebrate their success.”

Lindsay will be stationed with other officials at a point in the route where students’ names are announced and they receive their diploma jacket. Faculty and staff will be positioned by their individual vehicles throughout the parade route to cheer and celebrate graduates as they pass by. The school also will livestream the event on YouTube so fellow students, family and friends can follow along.

Specific details about timing, the route and help with transportation if a graduate does not have access to a vehicle can be found on the graduation celebration webpage.