Monday, July 29, 2024

College Grad from Shenandoah Participates in the University of Scranton's Donning of the Stole Ceremony



Kayla N. Perrong of Shenandoah was among the nearly 70 members of The University of Scranton's class of 2024 who participated in the Jesuit school's Donning of the Stole Ceremony. 

The annual ceremony celebrates and honors the accomplishments of members of its graduating class from underrepresented identities who received their undergraduate degrees. 

The purpose of the ceremony, which was a student-led initiative, was to highlight the students' success in overcoming the particular barriers and obstacles faced by students from these groups, particularly students of color, in attaining a higher education.

The students honored include outstanding academic and leadership achievement award recipients, future physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, accountants, teachers, engineers, nurses and many other highly-successful members of the University's graduating class.

Narissa O. Hill, an early and primary teacher education major from Nashua, New Hampshire, spoke on behalf of the class of 2024 at the ceremony took place on campus May 18 as part of Scranton's commencement activities and events. Also speaking at the ceremony were: Robert C. Walker, a counseling and human services major from Jersey City, New Jersey; Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., vice president for student life and dean of students; Shaefny Grays, Ed.D., assistant dean of culture and inclusion; Jose Sanchez, assistant director of the University's Cultural Centers; and Deniya Thompson, of Scranton's class of 2020, who offered the Closing Prayer.

Perrong earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. A Dean's List student at Scranton, she was a member of the Health Professions Organization and participated in the Student Faculty Research Program. She performed with the University's Jazz Band, Concert Band and Steel Pans Drum Band. She was social media chair for the Italian Society and an Ambassador for the University's Office of Equity and Diversity. She was a work study student for Performance Music and the Office of Equity and Diversity. She interned with Her Campus and shadowed at the Lehigh Valley Health Network Cancer Center in Hazelton. She was a percussion instructor at the Shenandoah Valley High School and was also a volunteer firefighter.

The University of Scranton is a Jesuit university located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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