Graduates, families and faculty packed the FitRec at Moraine Valley Community College on May 8 as the college celebrated its 2026 commencement ceremonies with student speakers whose stories reflected resilience, unexpected paths and determination.
The ceremonies were held in Building H at the college’s main campus, 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills. Kelly Wilson of Tinley Park spoke during the afternoon ceremony, while Amin Tekrour of Oak Lawn delivered remarks in the evening. Dr. Amani Wazwaz, the college’s Professor of the Year, served as grand marshal and addressed graduates.
Wilson shared an academic journey that did not follow a straight line. After graduating from online high school in 2019, she initially enrolled at Moraine Valley to study welding before stepping away during the COVID-19 pandemic. She returned in 2023 and pursued an Associate in Science degree, eventually taking more prerequisite courses than required.
“Ultimately, what that did for me is to put me in a position where I had taken so many different prerequisites that I kind of got a degree by accident,” Wilson said with a laugh.
She originally did not plan to speak at commencement, but an email inviting student speakers changed her mind.
“As I continued reading the email, I realized that I would actually make a pretty good candidate,” she said.
Wilson said being selected carried deeper meaning than she expected.
“To me, being selected as the Moraine Valley graduation speakers meant having courage to tell a story, deliver it meaningfully, and empower others to be confident in their achievements,” she said. “Further, delivering this speech empowered me to uplift others and encourage them to take pride in their scholastic feats.”
During her time at Moraine Valley, Wilson became involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and relied on campus resources including tutoring and advising, eventually coming to view the college as a second home.
“Now, Moraine feels like home to me,” she said. “I know the place like the back of my hand, and I’m just super grateful that I chose Moraine Valley because to me, it didn’t make sense to go to one of those big schools when I didn’t really know who I was or what it was that I wanted to do or how I wanted to change, not the world, but the community.”
Wilson said she plans to continue her education with the goal of becoming a nurse.
Tekrour’s journey to Moraine Valley Community College was anything but traditional. He arrived in the United States alone at age 15 as a refugee from Mauritania and grew up in foster care. Without a high school education, he once felt college was out of reach before a friend encouraged him to pursue his high school equivalency through Moraine Valley.
During his time at the college, Tekrour joined the Speech and Debate Team to strengthen his English-speaking skills and build confidence, later earning fifth place in Oratory at a state competition. He also founded the United Horizons club to support immigrant students and served as vice president of the Economics Club while conducting research with faculty.
Wilson, meanwhile, spoke about an unexpected academic path that eventually led her to an Associate in Science degree and a deep connection to the college community.
Both speakers encouraged graduates to be proud of how far they have come and to keep moving forward.