Vanessa Earns a Masters Degree

On Friday afternoon, California Lutheran University held their 48th Annual Commencement for Graduate Students at historic Mount Clef Stadium. I attended the event with my sister Linda in order to watch as young Vanessa Contreras received her Master of Science in Education Degree with an emphasis in Counseling and Guidance.

A Picture Perfect Afternoon

We arrived at about 4:50 p.m. for the scheduled 6:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony.

As fate would have it, we parked near the back of the stadium. We approached the rear gate and were greeted by officials who welcomed us, gave us our programs and let us on the field which, to our surprise, was empty. When I walked across the field to get some water I realized that the Main Entrance to the stadium was still closed and that a HUGE line of humanity was anxiously waiting to get claim their non-reserved seats.

Linda and I quickly assesed the situation and decided to strike quickly to secure eight primo seats for ourselves and Vanessa's family and friends in the. . .

FRONT ROW!!!

My sister Linda, Vanessa's sister Elizabeth, BFF Angie and Michael enjoying their unobstructed view of the proceedings. The flood gates were opened about two minutes after we secured these highly sought after chairs.

March of the Graduate Students

Here they came, the flags that entered first represented the many students about to receive their Doctoral or Masters Degrees who are citizens of other nations.

Sweden! Norway!

Yes, somewhere in this group were students from two of our favorite countries in the world, Sweden a lot more than Norway of course. CLU has always had strong bonds with Scandanavia.

Vanessa waving to us as she marches

Vanessa hamming it up some more

Vanessa and Mike's nephew Nicholas

Disregarding the law as he "Stands at the Fence."

Good Times Indeed!!!

It's Official!

We are all so proud of Vanessa who now officially is in possesion of her Master's Degree.

Michael, ever the proud husband

What a fine evening, what a great accomplishment. . .

WAY TO GO VANESSA!!!