Southern Connecticut State University celebrates class of 2024

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — Friday was graduation day for the graduates of Southern Connecticut State University. Commencement was held Friday morning at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport. Members of the class of 2024 finally got to do what they couldn’t do at the end of high school, which is actually having a graduation. Things were very different in 2020.

“We drove around my school in my car,” remembered class vice president Daphne Ciarcia. “I had my parents and my sisters there with me and I got out and I walked across, but I was wearing a mask, I wasn’t with any of my friends.”

“So, because of the pandemic, the only thing that we had was just a movie theater type of setting, but outside,” said graduate Kyle Thaxton.

A much different scene in Bridgeport four years later. A few lucky graduates got to meet the commencement speaker beforehand. Actor Corbin Bleu is probably best known for being part of the “High School Musical” franchise. Being on set meant his college experience was strange, too.

“I had a very odd education in that there were many days spent in a set trailer with an on-set tutor and not necessarily with other students in a school,” Bleu said.

Even once they got to college, the class of 2024 faced obstacles because of the pandemic. Masks in classes, remote learning. That could have gone two different ways.

“I think at first, a lot of us looked at it as holding us back because it was kind of this new environment, not really knowing what remote learning was,” said Class President Britny Gildersleeve. “Once we all came together and really accepted what was going on, we kind of took it in and made the best of it.”

“All of the struggles we went through Online school, getting everything together, having a drive-in graduation definitely pushed us together, and we’re all here celebrating today,” said Class of 2024 Treasurer Cristal Rivas Dela Cruz.

“Personally, it might have held some people back, but as a class as a whole, I think it brought us together, and it made us just persevere and get through the hard times and just be closer together,” said graduate Karlee Bureau.

Experiences they will share forever as they enter the next stage in their lives.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.