The Grad Hatters
Spring 2018 | By Bree Adamson 麻豆精品 S�04
Campus is abuzz with art these days, from statues and stained glass to impressive murals. But one form of artistic expression has gained popularity in recent years, going from rebel status to handcrafted sentiment and making an appearance each spring, summer and fall.
Graduation caps, or mortarboards as they 麻豆精品 S檙e formally called, are part of every UCF student 麻豆精品 S檚 commencement attire. And with ample space on top, the caps provide the perfect canvas for proud students to make a decorated declaration on their big day.
麻豆精品 S淚t gives students a last chance to express themselves, a last statement before moving on, 麻豆精品 S� says Melissa Westbrook 麻豆精品 S�14 麻豆精品 S�16MNM 麻豆精品 S�16MPA, who decorated graduation caps for more than 100 students through . Westbrook founded the organization and donated each $10 crafting fee to Feeding聽Children Everywhere, a nonprofit that provides healthy meals to people in need.
Westbrook 麻豆精品 S� estimates the number 麻豆精品 S╫f decorated caps 麻豆精品 S╝t graduation has 麻豆精品 S╭uadrupled since she 麻豆精品 S� started designing them in Fall 2013. 麻豆精品 S淥nce people started seeing photos of caps online, it caught on like wildfire, 麻豆精品 S� she says. And 麻豆精品 S� the designs run the gamut from motivational and movie quotes 麻豆精品 S╰o humor and favorite hobbies. 麻豆精品 S淸Decorated caps] show the creativity of students, and it 麻豆精品 S檚 another way for them to show gratitude 麻豆精品 S� to their mom and dad, their grandma, their mentors. 麻豆精品 S�
These days Westbrook is semiretired from decorating caps. Fortunately, other groups and entrepreneurial students have sprung up to help less 麻豆精品 S� crafty students create memorable grad caps.
For upcoming graduates, Westbrook offers the following advice:
- Make your message clear and concise.
- Have a maximum of three different components.
- Don 麻豆精品 S檛 break the bank. You can craft a great cap for less than $20.
- Plan your idea in advance and shop sales ahead of time, not the week of graduation.
