Shanna receives her Master's degree

Shanna's friend Amanda took this photo in their seats at graduation.

In ceremonies at the Westchester County Center in White Plains on May 18, Shanna received her Masters degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education Wednesday from Mercy College. 

Shanna writes: "It was a great ceremony and everything went well, despite the heavy rain. They even pronounced my name correctly as I received my diploma!

Shanna with diploma in hand.

Freeze-frame from video, via Facebook

"We celebrated afterwards with dinner at one of my favorite places, the Cheesecake Factory. A funny fact: My graduation from Mercy took place 4 years to the day from my degree at Purchase College.

"I'm very excited to be done with my Masters degree. These past 2 years have gone by so fast. I am currently looking for a position for September and will be spending my summer working at Camp Hillard for a second year."

Shanna began her post-graduate studies in the summer of 2009, wrapping up this spring with student teaching at Yonkers Public School 21, right in her own neighborhood.

This is the start of a series of graduations by members of our extended family over the next month. Check back for upates -- and please send along your graduation stories and photos.