Brandon Stephens has a passion to serve. For the past three years he has been the president of 5X社区鈥檚 PRIDE, a student organization standing for People Respecting Identity, Diversity and Equality.
As Stephens gets ready to graduate, he is hoping to work with Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) youth, and those with alcohol dependency.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that affects the LGBTQ community a lot, and something that means a lot to me as well,鈥 Stephens says.
Like Stephens, Yubi Orengo also is a member of PRIDE. She is getting ready to graduate and enter the field of fashion merchandising.
鈥淎nywhere clothes are being made, I want to be,鈥 says Orengo, smiling.
Both Orengo and Stephens credit their academic success to the support they have received from Kent State鈥檚 LGBTQ organizations and programs.
As a way to celebrate, they are preparing for Lavender Graduation, a ceremony to honor the importance of the graduates, acknowledge their achievements and proclaim victory over the obstacles that LGBTQ students often face.
This year鈥檚 keynote speaker features Kent State鈥檚 President Beverly Warren.
鈥淭he fact that she鈥檚 taking time out of her schedule to show compassion for LGBTQ students is phenomenal,鈥 Stephens says.
Stephens and Orengo hope to see the entire Kent State community attend Lavender Graduation 鈥 a welcoming send-off as students transition from their academic life into a professional career.
鈥淓verything I鈥檝e wanted for my life is falling into place,鈥 Orengo says. 鈥淭his is just one step in a huge highway of things I want to do in my life.鈥
"I鈥檓 very excited,鈥 Stephens says. 鈥淚鈥檓 nervous. I鈥檝e had the time of my life here. It鈥檚 been five years and I鈥檝e loved every second of it.鈥
