{"id":23771,"date":"2021-05-17T20:44:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T00:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom2\/2021\/05\/18\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T15:21:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:21:01","slug":"necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"NECC Celebrates the Classes of 2020 and 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_24003\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24003\" class=\"wp-image-24003 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-24003\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Biology Grad Narin Khem&#8217;s graduation cap summed up the experience of this year&#8217;s graduates.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Held on Saturday, May 15, Northern Essex Community College\u2019s 59th Commencement Ceremony was a little different due to the pandemic, but the consensus is that everyone loved it.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than have one large graduation for all graduates, the college scheduled five socially-distanced ceremonies, organized by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/current-students\/academic-centers\/\">academic center<\/a>. And 2020 graduates were included, since their graduation was virtual last year.<\/p>\n<p>There was a student speaker for each ceremony, President Lane Glenn addressed the grads, and the awards that are traditionally presented during commencement were spread out over the five ceremonies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we were planning this year\u2019s graduation, it was very important to us that every graduate be given the opportunity to cross the commencement platform and receive their diploma and their well-deserved spotlight,\u201d said Glenn in his remarks. \u201cEarning a certificate or degree is always something to celebrate, but even more so this year and last year when there were so many obstacles placed in your way as a result of COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/elbow-bump.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-24011 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/elbow-bump-300x205.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"205\" \/><\/a>Over 1,300 graduates from 2020 and 2021 were celebrated and associate degrees and certificates from over 70 academic programs were awarded. Everyone was masked and there was 3 feet between graduates and 6 feet between guests, following state guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>President Glenn typically shakes the hand of each graduate, which wasn\u2019t possible this year due to safety guidelines. Instead, each graduate received a foam hand that proclaimed \u201cNECC Grads are #1.&#8221;\u00a0 As they crossed the commencement platform, they were given the option of high-fiving (by far the most popular); waving, toe tapping, or elbow bumping.<\/p>\n<p>Here is some background on the graduates:<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 67.4% are women<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Close to half are first generation college students, meaning they are the first in their family to attend college<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 About half are students of color, including 37% who are Latino<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35 are veterans<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The youngest grad was 17 and the oldest grad was 69<\/p>\n<p>Calling this year\u2019s group \u201cone of the most diverse in NECC\u2019s history, President Glenn referred to the college\u2019s mission\u2014which is \u201cto empower a diverse community of learners to meet their individual goals\u201d\u2014and thanked the graduates for \u201chelping us achieve our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The five commencement speakers included:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/shanna-guy.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-24015 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/shanna-guy-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><strong>Business and Accounting:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/10\/this-business-grad-is-finishing-what-she-had-started-10-years-ago\/\">Shanna Guy<\/a> of Newburyport<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/learn\/credit-programs\/business\/\">Associate of Science: Business Transfer<\/a>: High Honors<\/p>\n<p>Guy attended Northern Essex soon after graduating from Amesbury High School in 2011, but things didn\u2019t go as planned. Seven years later, she came back to finish what she started. This time, she excelled. She will transfer to Merrimack College, UMass Lowell, or Bentley to continue her studies in Accounting.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Shanna-Guy-Speech-Final.pdf\">Shanna Guy&#8217;s Speech<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Shanna-Guy-Speech-Final.pdf\"><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-24013 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Shania-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Professional Studies:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/10\/she-had-a-career-plan-in-first-grade\/\">Shania Berard<\/a> of Methuen<\/p>\n<p>Associate of Science: Elementary Education, High Honors<\/p>\n<p>Berard decided on her career path as a six-year old at the Tenney Elementary School in Methuen. She has been working full time as a teacher at the Andover Little Sprouts while in college. She is transferring to Merrimack College.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Shania-Berards-Speech-Final.pdf\"><\/a><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Shania-Berards-Speech-Final.pdf\">Shania Berard&#8217;s Speech<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Rosanna-Lara.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-24016 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Rosanna-Lara-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" \/><\/a><strong>Liberal Arts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2020\/05\/11\/speaker-6\/\">Rosanna Lara<\/a> of Lawrence<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/learn\/credit-programs\/health\/public-health\/\">Associate of Science: Public Health<\/a>, High Honors<\/p>\n<p>The married mother of three, Lara came to Northern Essex after she was laid off from her customer service job. She\u2019s been hired by the college as its contact tracer case manager. She is planning to continue her studies at Regis College, which has a campus in Lawrence.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Rosanna-Laras-Speech.pdf\">Rosanna Lara&#8217;s Speech<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Vladimir-Ventura.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-24014 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Vladimir-Ventura-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><strong>STEM:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/10\/with-two-internships-this-computer-science-grad-is-well-prepared-for-the-future\/\">Vladimir Ventura<\/a> of Lawrence<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/learn\/credit-programs\/computer-information-science\/\">Associate of Science: Computer Information Sciences: Computer Science Transfer Option<\/a>, Honors<\/p>\n<p>Ventura is graduating having completed\u00a0two software engineering internships and with plans to transfer to UMass Lowell to continue his studies. Ventura is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Vladimir-Venturas-Speech.pdf\">Vladimir Ventura&#8217;s Speech<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Paola.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-24012 size-medium\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Paola-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><strong>Health Professions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/10\/she-arrived-in-the-u-s-with-a-suitcase-and-a-dream\/\">Paola Sierra de Valerio<\/a> of Lawrence<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/learn\/credit-programs\/health\/general-studies-health-specialization\/\">Associate of Arts: General Studies: Health Specialization<\/a>, High Honors<\/p>\n<p>A native of the Dominican Republic, Sierra emigrated from Spain in 2014 to fulfill her dream of graduating from college in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Paola-Sierra-De-Valerios-Speech.pdf\">Paola Sierra De Valerio&#8217;s Speech<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Awards Presented Included:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Emeritus:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stephen Fabbrucci, Vice President Emeritus of Human Services (2020)<\/p>\n<p>Gail Feigenbaum, Professor Emerita Early Childhood Education (2021)<\/p>\n<p>Joanna Fortna, Professor Emerita Academic Preparation (2021)<\/p>\n<p>Marilyn McCarthy, Professor Emerita Academic Preparation (2021)<\/p>\n<p>Suzanne Van Wert, Professor Emerita English (2021)<\/p>\n<p>The following individuals were unable to attend a ceremony and received their Emeritus Awards in abstentia:<\/p>\n<p>Kerin Hamidiani, Professor Emerita Dental Assisting (2020)<\/p>\n<p>Nancy Julin, Assistant Dean Emerita of Health Professions (2020)<\/p>\n<p>Patricia Kidney, Professor Emerita of Art &amp; Design (2020)<\/p>\n<p>Jean Poth, Vice President Emerita of Institutional Advancement (2020)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Outstanding Alumni Award:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2020\/11\/18\/salem-ma-resident-receives-2020-outstanding-alumni-award\/\">Mabel Covarrubias-Doucette<\/a>, Esq., \u201912 (2020)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/04\/14\/local-ceo-receives-2021-necc-outstanding-alumni-award\/\">Brian Mohika<\/a>, \u201906 (2021)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Social Justice Award:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Analuz Garcia, Assistant Director, Community &amp; International Relations, NECC<\/p>\n<p>The ceremonies opened with the national anthem sung by graduates Alica Catalano, AA: General Studies: Music Option, High Honors, 2021, and Emily Forisso, AS: Early Childhood Education, High Honors, 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a full list of <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/media-old\/2021\/05\/Commencement-20-21-Grad-List.pdf\">Commencement 20-21 Grad List<\/a>\u00a0of grads.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about this year\u2019s Commencement, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.necc.mass.edu\/current-students\/student-resources\/graduation-information\/\">the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-23771 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Cap-even-a-global-pandemic-couldnt-stop-me-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/2021-flowers\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/2021-flowers-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/2021-flowers-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/2021-flowers-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/2021-flowers-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/alexandra-auguste-and-family\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alexandra-Auguste-and-family-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alexandra-Auguste-and-family-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alexandra-Auguste-and-family-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alexandra-Auguste-and-family-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/alicia-catalano-national-anthem\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alicia-Catalano-national-anthem-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alicia-Catalano-national-anthem-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alicia-Catalano-national-anthem-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alicia-Catalano-national-anthem-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/alyssa-millington-alone\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alyssa-Millington-Alone-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alyssa-Millington-Alone-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alyssa-Millington-Alone-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Alyssa-Millington-Alone-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/brian-mohika\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Brian-Mohika-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Brian-Mohika-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Brian-Mohika-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Brian-Mohika-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/emily-forisso\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Emily-Forisso-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Emily-Forisso-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Emily-Forisso-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Emily-Forisso-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/estebanya-gonzalez\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Estebanya-Gonzalez-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Estebanya-Gonzalez-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Estebanya-Gonzalez-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Estebanya-Gonzalez-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/gail-feigenbaum\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Gail-Feigenbaum-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Gail-Feigenbaum-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Gail-Feigenbaum-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Gail-Feigenbaum-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/lulu-garcia\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Lulu-Garcia-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Lulu-Garcia-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Lulu-Garcia-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Lulu-Garcia-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/mabel\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Mabel-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Mabel-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Mabel-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Mabel-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/mariel-blouse-promise-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Mariel-Blouse-Promise-1-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Mariel-Blouse-Promise-1-80x80.jpg 80w, 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class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/paola\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Paola-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Paola-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Paola-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Paola-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/public-health-twins\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Public-Health-Twins-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Public-Health-Twins-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Public-Health-Twins-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Public-Health-Twins-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/sabine-and-violette-smith\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Sabine-and-Violette-Smith-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Sabine-and-Violette-Smith-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Sabine-and-Violette-Smith-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Sabine-and-Violette-Smith-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/shalimar-and-yashana\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Shalimar-and-Yashana-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Shalimar-and-Yashana-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Shalimar-and-Yashana-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Shalimar-and-Yashana-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/shania\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Shania-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Shania-80x80.jpg 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https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Steve-Fabbrucci-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/suzanne-van-wert\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Suzanne-Van-Wert-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Suzanne-Van-Wert-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Suzanne-Van-Wert-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Suzanne-Van-Wert-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" 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href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/tiary\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Tiary-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Tiary-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Tiary-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Tiary-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/vladimir-ventura\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Vladimir-Ventura-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Vladimir-Ventura-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Vladimir-Ventura-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/Vladimir-Ventura-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/amine\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/amine-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/amine-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/amine-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/amine-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/elbow-bump\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/elbow-bump-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/elbow-bump-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/elbow-bump-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/elbow-bump-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/shanna-guy\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"80\" height=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/shanna-guy-80x80.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/shanna-guy-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/shanna-guy-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/02\/shanna-guy-180x180.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 80px) 100vw, 80px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It was a marathon graduation on May 15: five ceremonies over nine hours. Explore a gallery of photos and read about the highlights!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":25020,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[22,137,159,203],"class_list":["post-23771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students","tag-1300-graduates","tag-ceremony-during-pandemic","tag-commencement","tag-dominican-diaspora"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>NECC Celebrates the Classes of 2020 and 2021 - NECC News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2021\/05\/17\/necc-celebrates-the-classes-of-2020-and-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NECC Celebrates the Classes of 2020 and 2021 - NECC News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It was a marathon graduation on May 15: five ceremonies over nine hours. 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