I had the immense pleasure of attending my 30th Smith reunion this Spring. As with every reunion, I reconnected with long-time friends and made dozens of new ones. But this year was extra special.

I attended Reunion Weekend II -- the one that takes place the weekend after graduation. I was a little disappointed that our Ivy Day wouldn't include marching with the amazing young people who were on the cusp of graduation and all the palpable energy that goes with it. What I didn't realize is that the college had invited the students who had graduated in 2020 -- those who had been robbed of their Smith graduation ceremony by the outbreak of Covid-19 -- back to campus on that same weekend of my reunion.

On our first night of reunion, I was gathered with my (very loud) group of '92-ers in our assigned dining tent, reconnecting, eating, and already busting a move or two, when I heard someone yell my name. I looked around, excited to see another classmate, but instead I saw a beautiful young person running across the tent right towards me. There's no way I know anyone under 50 here, I thought. But I was wrong.

Juliana, class of 2020 and member of the Smith College Club of the Peninsula, saw me across this enormous and crowded tent and came running over to say hello! What an amazing connection! And then it happened again. Just a little later during the same evening, Trang, class of 2020 and member of the Smith College Club of the Peninsula, suddenly appeared at my table to introduce me to her mother who had travelled with her to finally celebrate Trang's graduation ceremony. My heart was bursting with pride for these two young women -- who have both taken on leadership roles in our club -- and with the thrill of getting to share this special weekend with them.

I proselytized to my classmates all weekend: This is why you stay active in your local club! This connection across classes, across generations, cannot be found elsewhere. You're a Smith student for four years, but you're a Smith alum forever. Thank you Juliana and Trang for making my reunion weekend even sweeter.