The University of Washington, Tacoma graduation Friday was overflowing with compelling stories of interesting graduates.

Back in March, for instance, 25-year-old Ben Warner began his quest to ride his long board – a long version of a skateboard – from San Diego to Savannah, Ga. Along the way, he planned to publicize the importance of after-school programs and raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound.

At commencement, a speaker announced Warner worried that he might not complete the journey in time for his UWT graduation at the Tacoma Dome. But he finished the trip and made it to graduation.

Another newly minted graduate started life in Africa. Here's his description from the UWT:

Wemba-Koy Okonda, Spanaway, and his wife fled a bloody revolution in the Democratic Republic of Congo 12 years ago to give their children a better life. Okonda worked overtime to support his eight children while attending classes at the University of Washington Tacoma. At this year’s Commencement, he graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computing and software systems.

A commencement speaker said Okonda's father and niece obtained special visas to attend the graduation.

I went to the graduation, but missed the joyous scene afterward with his family.
Jill Carnell Danseco, the UWT public information specialist, tells me that Okonda and his family danced and sang through the crowd for a good 10 minutes or so. The family also observed a custom from their homeland: sprinkling baby powder on the new graduate.

Here are great photos by Jill capturing the celebratory moments.

Photo by Jill Carnell Danseco, UWT

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