by Enrique Viveros
PSC Pirates and families gathered at the Pensacola Bay Center on May 9th to have an annual commencement ceremony for the graduating classes of Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021. Over 400 students were set to graduate for the Spring 2021 semester.
Attendees to graduation were required to wear a mask and social distance with seating while receiving a diploma.
In addition, a virtual ceremony was held for the graduates and families who could not attend in person due to the COVID-19 virus.
“The live stream is important for graduates who have family that can’t attend,“ said PSC event coordinator Anita Spicer.
The ceremony started with the graduates ranging from dual enrollment students to bachelors.
“You have all persevered to reach your goal to arrive at this day. Your determination and grit through hurdles that no one could have anticipated are more than admirable. I hope you maintain the same resolve in your next endeavor,” said Marjorie Moore, the chair of the Board of Trustees, during her opening remarks.
Dr. Meadows had Gordon “Flash” Sprauge, an Air Force veteran and former race car driver, as the guest speaker.
“Education changes lives; knowledge is telling the past, and wisdom is predicting the future,” said Spraugue.
In Spraugue’s speech, he talks about the importance of the diploma. “Your diploma you cannot sell it, you cannot trade it, you cannot give it away, and you cannot have it taken away from you. It’s an outstanding document that will remain with you for the rest of your life.”
One of Spraugue’s notable sayings was, “Change is and will continue to change.”
As his speech comes to a close, he quotes poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Do not go where the path may lead you, go where there is no path and leave a trail.”
As the commencement ceremony concludes students turn their tassels to the left to signify their official graduation from Pensacola State College. 
Dr. Ed Meadows presents his opening remarks and introduces Gordon “Flash” Sprauge as a guest speaker.