Skip to content

CW Student Speakers Inspire Graduates with Messages of Perseverance and Possibility

Student speakers addressing the audience during commencement
Kaylee (left) and Toniequa (right) deliver student remarks at commencement

At The College of Westchester’s 110th Commencement Ceremony, student speakers Kaylee and Toniequa shared heartfelt reflections on their educational journeys, inspiring fellow graduates with messages of resilience, growth, and determination.

Representing the spirit of the CW Warrior, both graduates spoke about overcoming challenges, embracing opportunities, and staying committed to their goals while balancing the demands of college, work, family, and life.

For Kaylee, graduation marked the culmination of years of hard work and personal growth. Reflecting on her experience at CW, she shared how the support of faculty, staff, classmates, and loved ones helped her navigate obstacles and remain focused on her future. Her story highlighted the transformative power of education and the confidence that comes from achieving a long-held goal.

Toniequa’s remarks echoed a similar theme of perseverance. As a student speaker, she encouraged her fellow graduates to recognize how far they had come and to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Her message celebrated the strength and determination required to earn a college degree and reminded graduates that success is built through persistence, self-belief, and a willingness to keep moving forward.

Their speeches resonated with graduates and guests alike, serving as a reminder that every CW student has a unique journey, but all share a common commitment to personal and professional growth.

As members of the CW Class of 2026 embark on the next chapter of their lives and careers, the words of Kaylee and Toniequa stand as a testament to the strength of the CW community and the belief that with perseverance, anything is possible.

The College of Westchester congratulates Kaylee, Toniequa, and all members of the Class of 2026 on their remarkable accomplishments and welcomes them into the growing community of CW alumni.

A little about The College of Westchester…

We pride ourselves on providing personalized attention to each student from admissions through graduation and beyond through career services assistance and the Alumni Association.

CW’s distinguished faculty bring extensive industry experience and a commitment to student success. An average student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1 fosters personalized attention, meaningful mentorship, collaborative learning, and the support students need to reach their academic and career goals.

About 75% of our students are first-generation college attendees, and our campus is recognized as one of the safest in New York State.

Student Success is our focus!  47% of Day students make the Dean’s list. Additionally, CW is recognized as being in the top 25 colleges in terms of percentage of students participating in the Phi Theta Kappa Honors program.

100% of CW academic programs include coursework that incorporates AI and generative AI, providing students with hands-on experience using the latest technologies and developing the in-demand skills needed in today’s workforce.

To support busy learners, CW offers flexible scheduling options with Day and Evening Flex formats, as well as fully online degree programs that allow students to balance their education with work and personal commitments.

document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { // Get all accordion toggle elements var accordions = document.querySelectorAll('.accordion-toggle'); // Add click event listeners to each accordion toggle accordions.forEach(function(accordion) { accordion.addEventListener('click', function() { // Get the panel-collapse element directly following this accordion-toggle var panelCollapse = this.nextElementSibling; // Check if this panel-collapse is currently open var isOpen = panelCollapse.classList.contains('open'); // Remove 'open' class from all panel-collapses accordions.forEach(function(acc) { var collapse = acc.nextElementSibling; collapse.classList.remove('open'); }); // Toggle 'open' class only on the clicked panel-collapse if (!isOpen) { panelCollapse.classList.add('open'); } }); }); });