MODG Graduation Update: Questions with Chris Sebastian

MODG+Graduation+Update%3A+Questions+with+Chris+Sebastian

Paula Heine, VOX Reporter

Chris Sebastian, the Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for MODG, gave out details of the plans for the graduation ceremonies.  Please see the interview below.

What stage is the planning in at this point?  

We are currently in the final stages of planning!

What are some of the confirmed plans?  

We have locked in all the venues for the Friday afternoon and evening events, as well as Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel for the Graduation Mass, and St. Cecilia Hall at TAC for the Graduation Ceremony.

What are the plans for Mass?  Who are the celebrants?  

We will be having a Novus Ordo High Mass, said in Latin.  

What are your plans for what will happen in the commencement ceremony?  Who will be the speakers?

In the commencement ceremony, we will have speeches from Laura Berquist and a representative of the class of 2018.  Student representatives will also lead attendees in the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. The MC, myself, will call up each graduate to receive their diploma and be recognized.  Our celebrant will give a final blessing, as well.

What are the plans for food?  

Snacks will be provided in between the Graduation Mass and Ceremony, and a dinner reception will be held locally after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Is there anything else being planned?  

For a full list of the events, check out the family site or your email!

We were so edified to see how quickly our families bonded together over their shared education and the achievements of our graduates.

— Chris Sebastian

What have you learned from last year, the first annual?

Our first Graduation was a resounding success, the product of lots of hard work from our office staff, specifically the graduation planning committee, and the joy of our families that came from as far away as Europe and the Caribbean!  We were so edified to see how quickly our families bonded together over their shared education and the achievements of our graduates.

What worked last year?  

Having TAC host us was wonderful, and we were able to show our families our offices, and have them see many of the beautiful sites in our area.  We felt we were able to provide a good amount of activities for our attendees, while not overburdening the schedule!

What improvements are you looking at this year?  

We hope to streamline many aspects of the graduation, including moving rehearsal to the night before!

What will be used again this year?  

We are so excited to be able to use Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel once again for our Baccalaureate Mass!

What are your goals for future graduation ceremonies?  

Sometime down the road we hope to be able to offer two separate Graduation Ceremonies, one closer to the East Coast!  Benedictine College, one of our recommended colleges, as reached out and expressed interest in hosting us as well.

How many people do you estimate will attend?  

We are planning on having around 70 participants, up from 50 last year.  

Is there anything else you would like to say?  

We are looking forward to seeing everyone here in Ojai in May!

For information about the schedule, click here.