Looking back and moving forward at Convocation
Senior Paloma De La Caridad Ortega ’27 reflects on what makes Mount Holyoke unique at the semester’s opening ceremony.
Convocation brings a range of emotions for the Mount Holyoke community. Students, faculty, staff and alums come together to celebrate what makes MHC unique. For me, Convocation has always marked a new beginning and all the changes that come with it.
I woke up anticipating the possibilities of my senior year. I took a moment to look around my room. My yellow sundress and steamed graduation gown were hanging up, and the sun shone through my window onto my yellow beads. I ran to wake up my best friend down the hall, excited to begin our Convocation tradition of getting ready together.
At our first Convocation, we had known each other for only a couple of days during Orientation. Now, we have traveled, lived, laughed and grown together. That morning, getting ready beside them was a sweet reminder of just how much had changed since we first arrived at Mount Holyoke.
I lined up with my fellow yellow sphinxes in the class of 2027. I bounced around the line to say hello and receive warm hugs from old and new friends. Looking at my classmates brought me back to when we first arrived at our MoHome as eager first-year students. Now, those same students have become student government leaders, club directors, resident advisors, peer mentors and so much more. We had become versions of ourselves that our first-year selves dreamed of becoming, with so much still ahead of us.
The anticipation of walking into the amphitheater with all my friends was almost too much. The drumming of the Five College West African Music Ensemble guided us toward the staircase. Before we took our first step, a group of alums, faculty and staff cheered us on and passed out more yellow beads.
As I walked down, I felt the sensation of descending on a roller coaster: pure thrill. A sea of blues, greens and reds welcomed us for a final time. I danced, laughed and even tripped a little on my gown as I made my way down.
We took our seats, and I cheered along with my classmates: “2027! 2027! 2027!” It was finally our time to proclaim our class year out loud at Convocation.
President Danielle R. Holley took the stage to welcome us, and as I listened, I realized this Convocation felt different from the ones before it. President Holley joined Mount Holyoke alongside the yellow sphinx class in fall 2023, making her an honorary yellow sphinx. Her remarks about embracing change reminded me why this Convocation felt so different: I was beginning my senior year. I felt bittersweet, excited and proud.
My favorite part was hearing our class president, Cindy Ntembe ’27, speak. I fondly remember casting my vote for her during my first year, and I know how much this position and moment mean to her. One line stayed with me in the days that followed: “You are not your past, you are your future.”
College is filled with accomplishments, but we all make mistakes along the way. At this age, I think we can be hypercritical of ourselves. Cindy’s reminder not to define ourselves by past mistakes was one I needed to hear. I felt that she brought all of us together in that moment.
If I were telling a friend who had never experienced an MHC Convocation what it was like, I would tell them it is a celebration of where you have been and where you are going. It acknowledges the person you were when you first arrived and the person you are becoming as you prepare to leave.
Convocation is loud, colorful, joyful, emotional and a little chaotic. Most importantly, it reminds me that Mount Holyoke extends beyond our academic buildings, gathering spaces and residence halls. Mount Holyoke is also the community you build here and the people who will continue to support you beyond the gates.