This weekend, hundreds of proud parents, grandparents, siblings, mentors and friends will watch the Class of 2026 earn their Georgetown degrees.
For many Hoyas, their graduations represent not only their own achievement but years of dedication and support from their loved ones.
“They’re so happy that they said ‘yes’ to let me go. But also a big part of it is that they so fully supported me this whole time,” Ninabella Arlis (C’26, B’26) said about her parents. “It’s my victory, but it’s their win too.”
We asked a group of graduates — Arlis, Vaughan Anoa’i (C’26), Saio Conteh (L’26), John DiBello (M’26), Jimmy Kibble (B’26), Chloe Smith (N’26), Tanya Tkachenko (SFS’26) and Rodney Wolfe (L’26) — to watch a few messages from their loved ones and reflect on their journeys at Georgetown before they walk the commencement stage.
They received messages from as far away as Ukraine and Sierra Leone as they prepare to practice law, serve patients and even head to the NFL.
“Words cannot express how proud I am of you and all the hard work you put in to get to this point,” said Aaron Smith, father of Chloe Smith. “I love you. I admire you in all your qualities and all your greatness. I am simply in awe of you and how amazing you truly are. This is your work, so go be great. Be a difference maker, and leave your full handprint on the world.”
For Wolfe, his message from his mother reminded him that his graduation from Georgetown Law is just the first step in paying it forward to his loved ones and his community.
“That community has helped guide me to get to where I am today. Without them, I literally don’t know where I’d be,” Wolfe said. “It’s a privilege, and I feel like I’m obligated to give back in a lot of ways.”
Watch how this group of Hoyas reacted to their loved ones’ sweet messages.
