Celebrating Graduation Next Door

Like most graduating college seniors, Mia Simon was devastated that the coronavirus pandemic abruptly ended her final semester at American University in Washington, DC. Mia was away on spring break in Big Bend, TX, when she received the text announcing that the remainder of the semester would be completed virtually. Instead of heading back to her apartment in DC, Mia got rerouted to her West University childhood home in Houston. 

Aiming to travel light for her spring break trip, Mia had only packed hiking boots, tennis shoes and clothes for camping. Luckily, she hasn’t needed much of a wardrobe during the quarantine. Two and a half months later, all of Mia’s belongings are still at her apartment in DC; she hopes to retrieve her things in June.  

If you can’t celebrate graduation in Washington, D.C, the Simon family can make it happen in Houston. Pictured are Mia’s family, mom Judy, brother Chris, dad Chris and Mia. 

Judy Simon, Mia’s mom, kept waking up in the middle of the night trying to brainstorm ways to create a memorable graduation celebration for Mia while following quarantine guidelines. She realized that the empty lot next door to their home could be the perfect location for a family graduation ceremony – while social distancing.

“We decided to hold the event on the same day as her virtual graduation, to make it feel real,” Judy shared. “We had been planning towards that date, purchasing airline tickets and making hotel reservations last fall. It was supposed to be a very big weekend for our family and COVID-19 was not going to take it from us.” 

Judy didn’t think their family ceremony would feel right with just one graduate, so she invited her nephew Tyler Fernbach, who was graduating from St. Thomas High School. They also invited family friend Mary Shannon McConaty, who was graduating from Xavier Academy. 

The 2020 graduates masked up and ready to parade into the ceremony from the front porch to the empty lot next door accompanied by Pomp and Circumstance. 

Attendees were asked to dress up to make the ceremony feel as special as possible. In addition to Judy and the honorees, the guest list included Mia’s dad and older brother - both named Chris - Tyler’s parents, Don and Karen, plus older sister Allison, Mary Shannon’s parents Brady and Sandra and her grandmother Ann Boustany accompanied by her caregiver, Shaun Brewer. Four-legged VIPs (Very Important Pooches) included yorkie Pippa Simon and yellow lab Moose Fernbach. Don, Tyler’s dad, even made special mortarboard hats for Pippa and Moose.

Decorations included the honorees’ faces smiling from large banners strung between the columns of the Simon family’s front porch. Mia and Tyler’s cousin, Camille Boudreaux, created a chalk masterpiece for the grads in the Simon’s driveway and guests received commemorative “Congratulations Class of 2020” facemasks to wear.

Potted plants from the Simon’s backyard were placed on the sidewalk for the stage. Each family brought their own chairs from home and set them up on the lot in clusters at least six feet apart. 

The three grads sat in special chairs in the front row. Mia’s brother, Chris, was the technical director, broadcasting their ceremony to friends and family around the country via Zoom.  

“When the day finally arrived and the graduates started down the sidewalk to Pomp and Circumstance, I felt a huge emotional wave wash over me and though I have never cried to Pomp and Circumstance before, I did that day,” said Judy. 

Don, Karen, Tyler and Allison Fernbach were grateful for the thoughtful graduation ceremony coordinated by Don’s sister, Judy.

Tyler spoke about how his journey through high school had been difficult but worth it in the end. “There were lots of surprises along the way like Hurricane Harvey, the pandemic and now having a graduation on a sidewalk outside of my aunt and uncle’s house!”

Mia shared encouraging words: “Life has certainly thrown us a curveball, but it’s not the first and it certainly won’t be the last. But whatever people tell you, whatever gets in your way, do not give up, do not give in. Be relentless in the face of adversity and don’t quit.”

There was even a special commencement speaker. During her college years, Mia had many wonderful internship opportunities. One of her mentors was Sima Ladjevardian, a prominent Houston lawyer, political activist and fundraiser. 

Sima spoke at their family ceremony and quoted Maya Angelou, to sum up the challenging times: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” 
 
One change from a traditional graduation ceremony was that the parents got to speak about their graduate and present them with their diplomas.

Tyler’s mom, Karen, shared, “It was so meaningful to be able to share special words with Tyler. We also made him a diploma that said I was the President of the Home School Board and that Don was the Superintendent of Hard Knocks.”

Mary Shannon’s mom, Sandra, said, “We were thrilled that we got to speak about our beautiful daughter and how excited we are that she is continuing to pursue her passion for music.” 

Mary Shannon poses with her parents, Brady and Sandra McConaty plus her grandmother Ann Boustany.

Mary Shannon, a singer and songwriter, ended the moving ceremony with a performance of Photograph by Ed Sheeran. Mia’s dad, Chris Simon, accompanied her on the drums.

Mary Shannon shared, “Photograph talks about how even when you’re far apart, you have photos and reminders of that person, and I think that’s important as a graduate who will be moving away eventually.” 

Judy shared, “All of the speakers, including the parents, spoke to the themes of overcoming adversity, being resilient and relentless, perseverance, and daring greatly - all universal messages of our time. It was so personal and intimate that everyone in attendance agreed it was one the best graduations they had ever attended.”

Mia will be staying in Houston and working as an Events Coordinator, Tyler will be headed to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University and Mary Shannon looks forward to pursuing music at Berklee College of Music in Boston. 

Editor's note: For more on this topic, read Graduation, Interrupted: When you have two 2020 grads by Angie Frederickson. Also, check out Class of 2020 to see where these grads are heading to college.