Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology's graduation beginning with the traditional procession through town. Photo/supplied
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology's graduation beginning with the traditional procession through town. Photo/supplied
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology's graduation was an "unmitigated success" with hundreds of students taking to Rotorua streets for the annual procession.
About 800 students donned black gowns and coloured sashes for the special ceremonies which started yesterday with a pohiri at Mokoia Campus, followed by a procession through town and award ceremonies at Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.
Ceremony two valedictorian Glenys Courtney-Strachan said the graduation proceeding was "quite relaxed".
"It's always good because sometimes it can be quite anxiety-ridden. The procession through town was great.
"Having the guys leading us through town made us feel famous for about 20 minutes."
Ms Courtney-Strachan, a Bachelor of Creative Technologies graduate, took a unique approach to her valedictorian speech.
"I actually sung my speech while playing the ukulele. I wanted to connect to the audience so I sung about the late nights, parking, being low on money, falling asleep on assignments and the friends and family made during my time at Toi Ohomai.
Cathy Cooney and chief executive Leon Fourie greeting the men who led the procession. Photo/supplied
"While I was [at Toi Ohomai] it was my goal to make sure people felt like they belonged and I wanted the friends and family I had made to know how much I relied and appreciated them."
She said it was her second qualification from the institute and returning as an adult student had been easier.
"I think I managed my workload better but that could have been because I was doing something I was so passionate about."
Ms Courtney-Strachan wants to use her degree to do community art projects, working to incorporate whole families in art.
"Now I am living my dream. I wanted to be a role model for my daughter who is also an artist. She saw me study at a later age and I hope it has spurred her to live her dreams a bit earlier on."
Toi Ohomai graduation co-ordinator Ross Mortimer said there was a huge amount of pride for the graduates.
"For many of them, they did not leave school expecting to pursue tertiary education; often they are the first person in their family to graduate.
Graduates starting their procession through town. Photo/supplied
"The obstacles our students overcome to make it to graduation are incredible; many have young families, they're working jobs, they have a lot of life happening outside of their academic pursuits.
"Their journey to graduation is incredible and the fact that they've made it this far is a massive success."
The institute's chief executive, Leon Fourie, said the ceremonies were a fantastic experience and an "unmitigated success".
"Around 800 graduates took part in four graduation ceremonies, each event creating a milestone moment for our career-ready students and a moving reminder to staff of why we continue to work in the education sector.
"It was enjoyable to see friends and whanau gather to celebrate the successes of our first graduates of qualifications such as the Bachelor of Creative Technologies, the Master of Applied Professional Studies, and the Master of Teaching Early Childhood Education.
"Toi Ohomai is the only institute of technology to offer the latter, a joint project with the Ministry of Education, so this was particularly special."
