Avi Presberg of Rochester was scheduled to graduate in May from American University in Washington DC, with an interdisciplinary B.A. degree
in CLEG (Communication, Law, Economics, & Government) but, of course, the
coronavirus disrupted those plans. His parents, Marcie and Martin, decided that
a parade down the block of Mulberry Street in Rochester between Rockingham and Goodman Streets
might be a festive substitute. Alerting
the neighbors that we were invited to shout, clap, wave flags, play musical
instruments, hold signs, bang drums or kettles at 5 pm on Friday, May 8, they spread
the word. It was a chilly afternoon, but we were ready. The parade began with Avi
in his cap and gown, standing upright in
the open sun roof of his dad's car (which was broadcasting Elgar's Pomp and
Circumstance) and toasting the cheering crowd that was keeping an appropriate
social distance on both sides of the street.
What the Presberg family didn't know was that the SSJ
Mulberry Street community was planning a surprise. With the help of SSJ Associate Shirley
Nagg, Sister Monica Weis designed a "Certificate of Achievement" for
Avi, signed by two Nazareth College Faculty neighbors (Drs. Monica Weis, SSJ and Mike
Chen from the Dept. of Nursing) to be formally presented to Avi as the car
neared the end of the block. Sisters Phyllis Tierney (who printed the document), Dora Christian,
(who loaned her academic robe to Mike) and St. Luke Hardy (who framed the document) were
leading the cheering from curbside. But there was more to the surprise. Both
Sister Monica and Dr. Chen were wearing academic regalia to add some class, color,
(and fun) to the event. And yet, even that
was not all. Neighbors Amy Burns (MCC faculty) and Dan Behan (former McQuaid
faculty) spotted Monica and Mike and spontaneously ran to their closets to grab
their academic robes. The more, the merrier! The four festively garbed
neighbors spread across the street (again keeping safe social distance) to
interrupt the parade and present Avi with his award. More clapping, shouting,
and celebrating -- and a few tears in Avi's eyes as he saw our love and support.
Surprises are always welcome when one has
achieved a goal!