Graduation is coming up relatively soon, and with that, students are preparing to close out the year and celebrate their academic achievements here at Los Medanos College. Graduation will take place May 22 at the Concord Pavilion.
Students have the opportunity to pre-order graduation lei alongside their cap and gown package in the bookstore. There are printed copies of the forms that students can fill out, and the deadline to pre-order is Monday, May 11. Students will make their selections and submit payment at the Cashier’s Window located inside the Student Services building on the Pittsburg Campus.
If students are interested in purchasing online, they can visit the Los Medanos College graduation website. Students are directed to a page with graduation details, and as they scroll down, there is a section for pre-orders.
Director of Student Life, Robert Delgado, who works closely with the florist, explained how students can access the form. “It’s a fillable PDF where they [students] can fill it out. They will have to print it and then take it to the cashier’s office. They pay it off at the cashier’s office for the instructions that we have here on the form. Then the lei or the flowers will then be available to be picked up the day of graduation,” Delgado said.
Delgado also shared what the graduation setup may look like for students and families attending. “In the pavilion, there are essentially two pathways to get onto the stage. Graduates only side and the other pathway is for all guests. There will be two booths set up to sell the lei, where family members can purchase for their grads.”
These booths will be available on both sides of the pathways. The graduate side will have lei available for students to pick up, while the guest side will have lei available for parents and loved ones to purchase.
Melissa Stender, who is helping with the graduation ceremony, expressed the importance of lei. “Wearing the lei is for celebration. There will be lei available during the ceremony if they decide to purchase some at the last minute.” Stender said.
There is cultural significance behind lei and flower arrangements that are rooted in different cultures, such as Hawaii and the Philippines.
Abigail Duldulao explained the cultural meaning behind lei. “lei in Hawaii represent love and honor. It signifies their transition phase or their path to passage for an important event or milestone of their lives,” Duldulao said.
She also explained a similar meaning in Filipino culture. “Similar to the Filipino culture, standing for love, honor, purity and humility. A symbol of respect for one’s accomplishments and high honor. In the Philippines, we only use the traditional flowers. The national flower of the Philippines is called Sampaguita. It’s white and the scent is of higher quality than gardenias. The scent is unforgettable and beautifully longing.”
Student Ariam Gomez, who is interested in purchasing lei for graduation, shared her thoughts on why people wear them. “I think it’s a celebratory thing! It may not be exactly flowers or ribbon, it may be candy or chips but it still is a way to celebrate you and who you are and what you accomplished,” Gomez said.
Graduation is an important milestone in a student’s academic journey. If you’re interested in purchasing graduation lei, visit the Los Medanos College graduation website for more information.
