For nearly 4,000 graduates, 'our time has come to move on'

Alyssa Moore, like many of her fellow graduating seniors, viewed Saturday's Spring Commencement ceremony with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.

"Today I'm very anxious and stressed, mostly because I don't really know what I'm doing," said Moore, a communications major from Mahwah, N.J. "A lot of other people know what they're doing after graduation, and I have no idea."

Moore was one of an estimated 3,906 students who received their degrees on Saturday at Delaware Stadium. Nearly 22,100 students and guests were present at the ceremony to cheer on the new graduates.

Anthony Stanziale, an English education major from Wilmington, said he has been searching for work and hopes to start his dream career as a middle-school teacher.

"I'm ready to be out in the real world," Stanziale said. "Hopefully I'll get a job. That's going to be a big plus."

He said the commencement ceremony represented not only his academic career at the university, but also the life lessons that came with it.

"It's the culmination of everything we've worked for," Stanziale said.

Stacey Queroli, of Middletown, N.J., said she was reluctant to say goodbye to the university that gave her so many experiences, but that she leaves with a feeling of pride and contentment.

"I feel like I accomplished something," Queroli said.

Olga Protack, a triple language major, moved to the United States from Russia eight years ago. She hopes to become an interpreter and said the ceremony made her realize how far she has come in reaching her goals.

"I can't believe it happened," said Protack, who currently lives in Wilmington.. "Finally, I did it."

Caron Johnson, a political science major from New Brunswick, N.J., said he plans to attend law school at Rutgers next year. He said he is excited to graduate but will miss his time at Delaware.

"It feels awesome; it feels amazing," Johnson said. "Four years went by fast, but it was definitely worth it. I had a great time."

Moore said even though she is unsure of her plans after graduation, she believes the last four years have prepared her for the future.

"I think with everything there's a time," she said. "And our time has come to move on."