This is the headline some might attribute to an event that I had the great honor and privilege to attend last Sunday afternoon. What I saw were balloons, tables festooned with flowers, a taco truck ready to serve lunch, and families sitting together enjoying the day. I saw toddlers running and chasing each other, and the kid glued to their ever-present phone. Just a normal day at the park.
But this was not normal; this was a celebration to congratulate an extraordinary group of young students who were graduating from local high schools or four-year colleges.
I had been invited because I was a volunteer mentor in an amazing program called, Mission Scholars. The program provides support and mentorship to underrepresented students from the college application process through college graduation and career development.