"I'll miss my friends and family, they've really helped make this place a home," said Madison Dawn, a chemistry major from Phoenix, who will begin working at Mayo Clinic after graduation.
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"I will miss being able to spend time with my friends," said Isabel Angeles, a molecular and cellular biology degree recipient from Phoenix. After graduation, she will take some time off from her academics and perform with the Arizona Opera before applying for medical school.
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"It's been a very different experience these four years. It's a big moment to wrap up. I will miss everything," said Andrea Vilarasau, an industrial engineering graduate and a member of the UA women's golf team. Vilarasau is originally from Spain and will be returning this week. She was text-messaging her classmates so they could sit together during the Commencement ceremony.
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Luz Urrutia received a degree in public management and policy, focusing on criminal justice. "I think I will miss everything I've learned here. I would definitely get a master's here, in public administration," said Urrutia, who is originally from Phoenix.
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"I will miss a few of my professors, like Kelland Thomas. He was awesome," said Jay Hanaoka, who earned his degree from the School of Information: Science, Technology and Arts. Hanaoka will begin working in Phoenix. Originally from Mesa, he wore are a red lei handmade by his aunt in Hawaii.
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"I will miss the people who supported me throughout my undergraduate career," said Brandi Teran, who earned her degree in early childhood education. Originally from Nogales, Teran will move to Hawaii in July to work as kindergarten teacher.
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Tucson native Haley Anderson, who earned an environmental science degree, plans to join the Americorps in July. "I am going to miss the red bricks and being outside in this atmosphere."
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Decorated mortar boards have become a common and welcome sight during Commencement.
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"Whoooo! I'll miss the College of Engineering," said Luis Sanchez, who earned degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering. Sanchez is originally from Puerto Rico and is returning home.
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Chanel Ostrem, originally from Wyoming, earned degrees in physiology and special education rehabilitation. After graduation, she plans to work as an EMT, then apply to medical school. Her favorite pizza place in Tucson: "Fresco on Speedway."
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"I will miss my sister ," said Holly Inglish, who earned her marketing degree. "I mean, she'll come back to Mesa, but we spend a lot of time together." Inglish, wearing Mickey Mouse ears, said she loves the character.
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"I'll miss all my friends and all the fun times I had here," said Colleen Reed, who earned a degree in finance. Reed, a California native, graduated summa cum laude and will go on to work at Intel as a capital analyst.
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"I'll miss the fact that I can call myself a student and I can make mistakes. Now that I am going into the real world, I don't think I can do that anymore," said Alan Scott Davis, who earned a degree in journalism. Originally from Prescott, he has been a multimedia specialist with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications & Cyber Technologies team.
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"I'm going to miss the beautiful campus and all the friends I made here. My friends are beautiful, too," said Zachary Montoya , an electrical and computer engineering degree recipient from Chandler, who will begin working for Microsoft in Seattle.
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"I'll miss how much pride we have in our school and Main Gate Square and all the professors," said Azel Garcia, who earned a degree in physiology. Garcia plans to attend nursing school.
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Many graduates decorated their mortar boards with clever sayings, words of thanks to family and friends, and quotes and memories.
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One message this year was that graduates should step off of campus with the intention to make positive change in the world.
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Some graduates who decorated their mortar boards noted their campus affiliations.
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Graduates and their highly decorative mortar boards.
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