I’m doing some more work for UC Irvine Extension. They’re “how to” videos for potential students. Tonight I attended graduation ceremonies to get some students on camera.
The school planned for around 800 at the Student Center but needed extra chairs.
Lots of proud families. Extension isn’t exactly like the rest of UCI. There are many non-traditional students learning to get ahead at work. Motivated students. Grown-up students. Many brought large families to share this momentous occasion.
Let me hit pause for a sec.
Seeing those families made me feel really good. It was like a magical quilt with every shape, size and color of student included. This is very much a city where immigrants flock. The UC Irvine program attracts even more diversity. Call me nuts, but many of these new Americans inspire me.
I was sitting on my butt on the floor on a riser waiting for things to get started. Two cameras were set to shoot.
A man in a light colored suit, carrying a “phablet,” walked up. He spoke perfect English with a heavy accent. The man was obviously concerned about something.
He wanted to know if he would have access to the video after we were done? I told him yes, it would be online, but I could see his worry was still there. He walked away.
I saw him as the graduation walk was beginning. By now I had figured out what he wanted. He was at the ceremony alone. He needed documentation.
“Would you like me to take some pictures,” I asked? And I did.
He is Ali Khan. The photo is for his mother, in Pakistan.
You tell me how she will feel when she sees these shots?
What a great payoff for something I was glad to do. Good deeds are often their own reward.
