Hey Virgo, welcome back to the channel. This is Kelly from House of Virgo. If you're new, please smash that like button and subscribe. If you would like to get a personal reading, there's a link in the description box. I still have a special writing for September. Discounted special reading, Happy Birthday. Today is your birthday, September 18th and 19th. And yeah. Alright, so this is a channel for Virgo. Virgo's Sun, Moon, Rising or Venus. And as always, some of the messages may or may not resonate. Take with it. Leave the rest. Keep in mind, these are general readings. They are for entertainment purposes only. Okay, so let's start your reading off and see what's going on. You've got gossip. You have the Ice King. You have dark male or someone who is darker than lighter and you have twin flame. Okay, so hmm. So it looks like you've got a situation here where there may be some gossip, water cooler talk at your work or in your family or amongst other people. There's some people who are maybe some neighbors. There's some small talk, people either gossiping about you or you are gossiping about some other people. There's some secrets going around. I feel like it's probably about you, your name, if your ears are ringing, there's some people talking about you or someone is talking about you, maybe asking questions or trying to get some information on you or just not a chatter going on. So yeah, something's definitely going on here. If you've had these ringing things going on in your ear or your ears, you're definitely the talk of the town. You also have Ice King. So this can represent a boss. This can represent an entrepreneur or someone who is just very detached. So this energy is definitely showing up this week as well. I keep saying this week this month, Ice King can represent an air sign. So someone possibly you're connecting with this month or you have a connection with this person's like cold. There is, doesn't have to be an air sign, but it's just cold energy. It's someone or they could be just very professional, very still, they got that whole gray rock thing going on. There's a lack of emotion, not saying anything. They're not really communicating. They're just kind of keeping to themselves, keeping it strictly business. Okay. Hold on, trying to fix my microphone. You also have dark male. So also this Ice King could be you as well. You could be taking on the energy here where it's like just detaching yourself, focusing on work, being in boss mode, and just not showing any motion, just doing your thing. Okay. Also dark male. So that could be you or it could be another person who would be significant in your life this month. Could be someone that you meet or it could be a friend or someone who you are currently attracted to or currently dating. You've also got twin flame Virgo. So spiritual alignment, effortless type of a relationship or a karmic. So there is some energy playing out here. So let's take a look first. See what's going on with this gossip situation here in September. What is going on with this gossip? Who's talking about Virgo? What is being said? Whatever comes up first here. What is being said about Virgo? Okay.  Wow. That's so weird because I was initially feeling the aid of sorts. There's this energy where I feel like there's some people or someone kind of like seeing you're making a wrong decision. You're leaving, you're running away. You're doing this out of insecurity or something along those lines or someone's like not dealing.  It's another damn business what you're doing, Virgo. It's all sword energy. So it's all about communication, talking some ish, talking about you. I don't like the energy of the aid of swords. It's kind of like making accusations that like these people are saying, you know, why is Virgo doing this? Virgo doesn't have to do this. Virgo's not trapped. You know, they're saying, Virgo is, if Virgo's not trapped, Virgo can like, I just, whatever. You know what, what people say, let them talk. Give them some to talk about Virgo. I just kind of feel like there's this just gossip. Maybe it's with some sisters or family members.   They're just perfect talking about what you're doing, where you're going, what you should be doing, what you shouldn't be doing, you know, who you're going with, whether or not you should. I don't, you know what? Yeah, this has something to do with traveling or abandoning ship or leaving something or, you know, making your own path, going on your own journey for whatever reason, you're deciding to do that this month. And, you know, we're at the end pretty much close to the end of September. So going into October, you know, or if you're going traveling as well or you're doing whatever you're doing, you're leaving.  And there's some talk, you're, you're attracting attention. And I almost kind of feel like you're on your own journey here. You're following the light. And I don't know if these people don't expect you to do this, or they're just questioning why you haven't done it yet, or even if they're just talking positive energy about you. It just, I don't, whatever you're doing is catching attention of people this month, you know, let them talk, give them a movie.  A person, a people or one person talking to another person, you know, about what you're, look at those two aces. Wow. Maybe you're like leaving, you're going to find love, you know, you're on a new adventure. You're doing something new here. You're striking out on your own for sure. And I don't, you know, I don't know if it's jealousy or it's a risk though. There's some kind of risk that you're taking. So you know what, today, as I'm recording this, it's September 18th, so all the way into like October 18th, or just the rest of October, there's some kind of risk or something's happening that's something new and a new opportunity, couple new opportunities come in and it looks like you just decide to do it. You're sick and tired of being stuck and you make a decision to do it and everybody's like, ooh, what's Virgo doing? You're putting on a show, Virgo. Maybe you find, some of you might find a new love or have a new love beginning.  Doesn't necessarily have to be negative, you know, but gossip, I don't know, for some of you, this could be a little bit of a blessing too with something great is going on in October as well.  Okay, so you also have Ice King. So some of you, like I said, this could be you, you might be getting into like entrepreneurial work or you're doing something and, you know, we're going to get to the Twin Flames. So don't just wait till the end here, but Ice King, let's take a look and see what's going on with this. Some of you might be starting a romance with your boss and everybody's at work talking about it. Or they find out or they're asked like, they're like, what? Guess what? Guess what? There are, they're speculating, you know, speculating. Okay, so you've got, oh, long term security. So some of you are like bossing up and starting your own businesses or you're doing something new. Okay. Yeah, look at this. You have three aces so far. So I have to tell you from this time period, I guess we're out of the Mercury Retrograde. Are we? I think we, no, wait, that started August 23rd. Are we out of it? I think we are. I don't know. I can't remember. I never looked. I didn't look to see how long it went. I think it's over anyway. You've got three aces. So there's definitely new love beginnings, new projects, passion projects, new investments, new opportunities and work, career, but being your own boss or a boss hiring you, promoting you at your job too. There's that energy happening here. You get offers for like a loan or for some kind of startup of something that you're trying to thinking about, you know, where are you going to get funding for something? A new startup, there's also, somebody has a surprise gift for you as well. So if you have a birthday, a Virgo season birthday before the season's over, you might receive a gift from a boss or a surprise gift from someone who's pretty damn cold. So it's like what? Unexpected, you know, coming from like someone who doesn't generally show their emotions. Okay. So you also have the moon. All right. So we do have Pisces energy and we have Libra here as well. So, you know, if you are, if you're, if you're doing, if there's something, I feel like they're just keep giving me like this. There's this hidden surprise. Some of you are going to receive, all right. So they're saying, if you got a thing for your boss or you're dating your boss, this is specific. It's coming out because your boss is going to let it be known and it might be attached to some of this gossip stuff going on. Now I know that's not for everybody, but if you have a thing for your boss and like your boss doesn't know it, they're going to find out and is going to approach you in a very positive way. You know, like I feel like your boss, it's going to surprise you. I have to say that I have to say that it's unexpected. It may not be like a shock. It's not a tower kind of thing, but I feel like you're just saying, I feel like your, your employer, your boss has had like a little hidden thing. They've been kind of detached and kind of hiding it like you never would have guessed. Maybe some of you kind of are like, you think maybe that they did, but they do. Yeah. That's what I'm picking up. Now, some of you might work in the legal system or maybe yeah, legal, the justice system, legal system, lawyers, judges, paralegals, police, all that kind of stuff, rescue, that kind of anything attached to the legal courts, things like that. I'm really picking up strong lawyer vibes here. It may not be your boss, could be a lawyer that's kind of like, if you have a lawyer, kind of your boss.  So they're kind of directing the show, that kind of energy. I don't know, somebody got a thing for lawyer or judge. Okay. So there's, it's definitely hidden though, and I feel like it's going to come out. The truth is going to come out. And this is something that I see that could, you know, whether this is a new opportunity for a career, are you becoming a boss, or even you, your boss and you getting together, or if you're a boss, getting together with an employee, I'm seeing a long term kind of thing turning out here. So yeah, I know it's not for everybody, but you know, when it comes out, it's what comes out. Okay. So you've got dark male. So someone who has darker than lighter skin, possibly or darker, dark hair, darker than lighter hair. Okay. All right. So this is someone whom you've had a previous connection with, who has come back around, come around the corner. Okay. Could be a Leo.  They could just be like super tan. They could have darker, like darker, more darker color than you. Okay. There's definitely a return. And it's, it's a very positive. They got good vibes are coming in with like those marky mark vibes, you know, good vibrations there. So let's see what's going on here. All right. Some of you, some of you, this isn't someone you knew. Some of you are going to meet this person at a school where there's children, obviously not. Well, it could be at school children, a school that it could be a college or it could be a high school or a university, elementary school, grade school, whichever. And this is very like, this is a very, it doesn't have to be your kids, you could work for a school or you could just be there for some reason. Um, could be grandkids, you could just be there for some reason. You could be just attending school or have an affiliation. You could work for a company that works for a school and there's a connection there. But this is a very, I just want to say whether this is someone returning or someone new that you meet the devil is here. So this is a very obsessive or can be a very obsessive connection or it is. We got Capricorn here too. It's, it's, it's the physical attraction. It's fire. It's total fire. Okay. This could be one of those. I'm just feeling like very tempting, highly temptations. Is that a word? Did I just make highly flirt, flirtates off the chart, highly temptation, temptations everywhere, real strong positive vibes with this person. Okay. And I have to say this feels a little bit forbidden.   I just kind of feel like when the devil is there, you know, it's not necessarily, it's very sexual. It's very lustful kind of thing. And you got to be built for that kind of thing. You know, I don't know. You might know what I'm talking about, but I feel like a real strong like, Oh geez. Now we're going into cuffing season. So some of you are going to have a return of some people, you know, making the rounds. So this could be your story like, ah, you know, the temptation is there.  Okay, but for others, it may not also, it may not be a school also. There could have, this could, okay, they just said either, they're telling me a new hire also, someone who's a new hire.   You know, or maybe they come in and clean and they're in like little maid outfit. I don't, like, I don't know. I just, I just feel like you better watch out for this energy. That's all I'm saying. Okay, they're also saying they're giving me a Halloween party at a school and someone's dressed up as a devil. Okay, you're trick or treating. I'm hearing trick or treating. Now remember, we're going into October here. So I'm picking up like trick or treating during the day, like right after school. I don't know how many of you are trick or treating.  You might not even know about this yet. So I'm way far in advance here. But there is definitely, and I feel like this person is like your junior. I feel like they're a lot younger. And there's this drip drip honey dip stuff going on. And I'm saying, I'm saying, so yeah, let's get off of that. Okay. Great choice of words. No pun intended. Twin flame. What's going on here? All right. Four of cups, Knight of Swords. Oh boy.  I feel like you've been feeling this energy. For some, it could be a cancer or a Pisces, another Virgo. It could be a Gemini. So let me just tell you, whatever sign, whoever your twin flame is, what this person has rejected in the past or rejected before, surprise, they're making a change, making a lifestyle change here. Big time and they're coming in fast. And I feel like you have known that your twin flame and you, it was, it was a timing thing. Like you kind of are, you've like already known that you too were, what's the word I'm looking for? I can never pull words. I don't know what it is. I guess I'm getting some early dementia. Like Alper, is that it? I don't know. Like when you parry Bluetooth, I don't know what's going on with me, but there's a French word and I can't think of it, but you too, like you've known that's what the two of cups is. There's this meaning in the minds and it was, it's been a timing thing this whole time. And I feel like it was mostly on, like it looks like on their part, you know, but I feel like they, I don't know if this person knew there was a twin flame connection. They might not have used those words, but it was karmic before. I don't know. Something's going on here. Like you guys get into some kind of spiritual alignment and something becomes effortless. Now this, this connection, this relationship, they're telling me Leo, there's something that becomes effortless. So let me just get a couple more cards for the twin flame decision compromise. Ooh, King of Swords, Gemini Libra Aquarius. Okay, Sun, Moon, Rising, or Venus. Yeah. Yeah, this King of Swords. Maybe it's your boss or you call your twin flame boss. Yes, boss. So yeah, this King of Swords is like ready to make that compromise. I feel like with the four of cups back there, I feel like this person, I don't know, they're disinterested in other people. I don't feel like they realized. Now they, now they know and I don't feel like it's just a decision that, that they've come to. I feel like this has just been some kind of intuitive understanding like you have, but I feel like you kind of beat them to the chase as far as already knowing that this was a twin flame connection. I need a couple more messages because I really like, I really like this format. There's a lot of different messages coming in. So yeah, your twin flame is definitely going to be rearing up in this time until October. And you also have open relationship. What's going on there? Okay. Push this aside. Let's see. Spiritual growth. You've got a soulmate and long distance. Okay. All right. Tell Virgo, open relationship represents no commitment, casual relationship and openness. Okay. What's going on here with us for Virgo? Why is open? So some of you might have been in a casual relationship or you've been seeking to try to find out what kind of relationship you've been in. Okay. Yeah. Or someone just wants to be in a casual relationship. They just want to sleep. We might like you better if we slept together. I might like you better if we slept together. I mean, with these songs, I don't even know where they come from. I feel like I have like a spiritual messenger who is definitely retro, 80s retro. I might like you better if we slept together. Do you remember that song? Oh my gosh. So some of you had that thing going on for a long time and you're done with it. Okay. It's stressful. Yep. Pushing back on it. Or you're with someone who kept the relationship casual and or you connect with someone that you find out going forward that it looks like this person just wants a casual relationship. They, they relieve their anxiety by having, by sleeping in bed or sleeping around. They push back on opening up. They keep, they push back on anyone getting close. Okay. And they cut. Yeah. This is a, this is a charmer. This is someone.  This person has kept that relationship or will keep that relationship that way. They get their rest and relax. They calm their nerves. They de-stress by keeping it non-committal. It's done on purpose. And if you try to get close, they're going to push away.  Right? But I kind of get a sense, like, like I said, right away with the four of swords. It's too stressful for you. And for some of you, you're pushing back on that. So you can let real love come in. Now there are some of you also, I don't know what percentage of you that are okay with this because it does give you a sense of being able to connect with someone.  Some of you really enjoy just the casual love affair. And that's fine. You can have that.  You have other responsibilities. Maybe you take care of a parent or your job is just you have no free time and you prefer romance and date nights, but you don't want to live with anyone. You don't want to commit, you know, and understand when I tell you that I have a lot of different age groups on here. And that, sometimes does come with age. Older people, you know, some older people are like, already been there, been married, had kids, did the whole thing. Nope, just want someone to go the movies with and go on a cruise with and see each other once in a while. Don't want them not picking up after nobody. The kids are all grown up and gone and, you know, everybody's got their thing. And then you got younger crowds who are, you know, they want to settle down and start a family. And that's fine. So don't, don't mock wherever you are in your stage. That's where you are. So I definitely feel like that's a double message for some of you. Now you've got spiritual growth, right? Learning, expanding the soul. So wow, Virgo, pretty cool. Looks like some definite, definite, definite change happening here.  Okay, we got the queen of swords here. Virgo, you are speaking some truth. You know what, Virgo, I feel like for you, you've been talking to God, and you're, you're not just talking to him.  I've been over here waiting for my blessing. I mean, you're making demands. Where is my spiritual growth? You're talking the universe. God, whoever, whoever, you're making demands. You're like, come on now. I've been doing the work. Virgo, you're getting a little bossy with your little sword there.  You know what I mean? I've been saging. I've been putting my crystals on the windowsill. You know, I've been praying. I've been letting go. I'm doing my affirmations. I'm breathing. I'm doing everything. What the hell's going on? Where's mine? I'm sick and tired of this. I'm still out here trying. I have to go to the soup kitchen this weekend because I can't eat. When's my blessing coming in? It's coming Virgo. Just be patient. It's real slow. You know what? It's God's time. Universal time. It's fluid. It's coming. You just got to keep your faith. You can't give up. You can't give up.  They will. You just got to believe. You can put demands out there but nobody's going to listen. Universe is going to be like, who are you talking to? And you know what? It's okay. They're all right. That's fine. Vent. If you need to vent, you're human. Be human. It's part of your spiritual growth but it's on its way. Your blessings are coming. So don't give up. All right. Now you've got soulmate. What's this about? Ten of ones. Nine of ones. Ooh. The lovers. Some of you are going into a contract with someone. You've been struggling, Virgo. Somebody's coming in to take some of the burden and this is someone who is equal to you like on a real deep level. It could even be love. Okay. You've been carrying. You've been carrying around that anger.  Baby. You've got to struggle, Virgo. These burdens that you've been carrying. Somebody's coming in and they're just going to, they're not going to carry. They're not going to carry it all but they're going to take a little bit of weight off your shoulder. This is a soulmate. This soulmate card, great connection relationship. Now that could be a friend. It could be a lover but somebody's, you know what? This person's coming in and they're going to help you tear that house down and help you rebuild something brand new because after the tower, every time there's change after all this unwanted disgrace that you've been dealing with, these upheavals in your life. You've been carrying this thing around for so long. You've got like your other half, the lovers. We got Scorpio. We have Gemini here. You've got somebody coming in and so when I say soulmate, this is someone who like gets down on your level. They, they are walking, they're not someone who has walked the same path as you as much as they are currently walking the same path as you and you say, well, you know, if they're walking and they have the same burdens, how are they going to, how do they have space to carry some of my burden? Because that's this kind, that's the kind of person this person is because of the lovers. That's love. That's deep, cold burning, the strength of two to overcome hardship. You scratch my back and later I'll scratch yours. This is like a pay it forward kind of situation. And I feel like this, this is what this person does. They're like, like an angel. It's almost like a soulmate angel. Like you're both angels in each other's lives. It's crazy because I was just looking at this. They almost look like headlights, but I don't know. Kind of look like two ghostly angels.  This, this doesn't have to be a just a person. It could be a place as well, a community of like minded people who are all, you know, stronger for each other, helping each other, building each other back up. I mean, I love it. This is rebuilding after, you know, that big lightning strike, that tower moment. This could, this is like a great connection and it could be building of a friendship, but it's like the kind of soulmate deep friendship that lasts forever. It's the kind that because you guys go through some kind of significant struggle together, it's that struggle that you have that bond in common that 20 years could go by and you don't talk to each other and then you pick up the phone and you just pick right back up where you left off. You know, it's that kind of thing. So that's, I find personally, those types of connections with people are rare and they are blessings. And if you already have something like that, you are so blessed truly. And if you don't, you will. I mean, I find that like that's the most beautiful. You can just pick right back up. That's a true, that's a real one. Okay. Or they can pick right back up with you.  So you've got long distance, foreign themes, distance. So what's going on here? Long distance. Okay. So I've got the star. Hmm. Okay. First message. Some of you have these really high hopes to shoot for the stars, but it seems so far off. Some of you had these really high hopes in your past that you wanted to be, you wanted to be president or you wanted to own a Fortune 500 company or you wanted to be on the television or you wanted to be famous or you want, you know, you were in a band and you wanted your band to be like the top five bands of all time, you know, like that kind of level of celebrity. And it just seemed like it was so, so far off. So some of you might be reminiscing about that time in October. It's popping up for some reason or looking back and, you know, if you're all in the same age bracket as I am, Jesus 1987, I graduated in high school in 1987. So that's quite a long distance away, you know. So some of you might be thinking about that kind of like it's hitting you. Maybe it's hitting you. I don't know. It's not really hitting me because I think about it a lot, but I think if you haven't really thought about it, it might be hitting you. Some of you might have a long distance relationship with someone who has a celebrity kind of status or you might be in that position. And you spend a lot of time out on the road or traveling or you have a long distance relationship with someone. Okay. You got temperance is queries and Sagittarius. So this is an energy of balance, peace and harmony and wishes coming true. You know, I will say some of you might be really thinking about sometime also around the holidays. Well, I'm going to say it. And I feel like I said it the other day, like yesterday's reading, some of you are going to start that band up again. The things that you did when you were younger, those dreams that those hopes, some of you are going to try to revive some of those again in October. You start doing that again, whatever they were for you, you know, reviving those hopes, renewing those hopes again. You know, even though you might have it in the back of your head, well, now it's even less likely it's going to happen because I'm older. But I feel like you're going to give it a shot and try to make that wish come true, you know, get that courage up, you know, and just kind of tell yourself, you know what, maybe I didn't, maybe the first time didn't work out the second time, but third time's a charm. Right. So maybe this would be your third, third shot at something or maybe your second shot, you know. So temperance is kind of like all things coming into balance, all things, divine timing, all things happening. Maybe those, anything to do with long distance, I feel like before was not meant to be at the time, but it looks like it's, it's time. That's what they're telling me. It's time. So whatever that thing was for you, sometime between October and December, or at least between now going into December, Aries energy as well here, is going to be significant. Leo is going to be the time to really start implementing some plans and ideas. Okay. There's also someone that there's a long distance kind of a relationship with hoping to reunite or have some type of, they're hoping for a miracle that you will have faith in them or that you will try to, or that you would wish to renew a relationship with them. This person sees you as like a wish come true. So I feel like sometime around Santa Claus, Christmas morning, maybe, or something along those lines, that energy playing out. And for some of you, they just gave me the king along. So that could represent Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. So we'll keep that right there. So those are interesting messages. Let's get into a couple other things going on. You know, guys, I'm really liking the random messages mixed with love and career and all that different stuff. So definitely leave me a comment and let me know if you like it like this. I'm really digging it. Oh, there's the coffee cup, meeting and conversing, savoring the moment, feeling uplifted and friendship. So we had that yesterday. Maybe it was stuck in the pile, but it did show up again. So I guess that's still on the table for you, Virgo. And you know what? Yesterday when I said coffee cup actually said cop. So I do feel like there's something to do with a cop or a police officer connecting with a cop. So I hope it's not because you're getting a speeding ticket. But you know, there might be a police officer getting a cup of coffee and some donuts or something and you guys meet up. I don't know. All right, you got arguments and separation. Yeah, with a very popular social female, that might be the gossiper. So keep your eyes peeled for that, Virgo. That would be a fire sign. I think she's kind of, she's starting some ish. Okay, you've got a new love start for sure. Okay. Yeah, some of you there's a new look. There's definitely a new love starts at a school. Now I know for some night school started, right? So I don't know. Maybe you went back to school.  There's love at a school. There's love at a school telling you right now. There's love attached to a school, love attached to a professor or a teacher for sure. Okay. Okay, you got a financial decision. Some of you just a new love for learning a new school and money comes in. Do I want to spend it on school? You know, some of you might like have already just started going. You went back to school. You're doing something. You made a financial decision. You're really loving it. You're going to love it. Okay. You got a lustful fiery spirit coming in. I told you with that devil card, the temptation. You also have family celebrations, wedding engagement party, and a new love beginning. So there might be a wedding. So there could be someone you're connected to is having a new love beginning. They're getting married or they're getting engaged. Family celebration or get together with a mother. Also I'm seeing doing something with a mother.  There's also time with children and animals as well. Celebrating somebody gets a puppy or gets a new dog as well. Or there's somebody legit having a birthday party for a pup or an animal or a cat. There's definitely a celebration for a cat's birthday or a dog's birthday. Okay. All right. That's cute. I love that. I would do that for my dog, but I have no idea when his birthday is. I'm just that horrible pet owner. You would think I would know, but nope. I just know he's here every day and I love him. So that's enough. Every day is his birthday to me. All right. Let's see. I'm going to get Chinese sign just for you. I'm going to see what your Chinese sign is. You who are listening. The person listening. What is their Chinese sign? Okay. We've got ear of the monkey. If you don't know your Chinese sign, just look up the year you were born. Type in year you were born Chinese zodiac and that'll tell you. Okay. Year of the rat. Year of the goat. Year of the ox. Year of the rooster. Year of the tiger. And we have the rat again. Year of the snake. And year of the rabbit. Now, if I didn't call your Chinese sign, it doesn't mean it's not your reading. Okay. So just be mindful of that. Oh, I just want to. Okay. I don't have those cards with me right now. All right. Let's see if we can get some randoms. Okay. So we've got a February birthday showing up here. Someone that you have a connection with. They were born in February. Okay. Significant. All right. Let's see. Hold on a second. All right. They just told me. September 3rd. September 18th. August 31st. 1981. 1965. 1979. September 10th. Somebody has a birthday in July. Significant to you. And someone age 40. 40. Okay. So as far as, give me all freaking vowels. How am I going to make a name with all vowels? Crazies. I don't know who's running the spirit show up there. That manager needs to be fired.  All right. Let's see. Okay. Somebody needs a damn nap. All right. Zap. Zap. Zapper. Zap. Somebody, somebody calls somebody zap. Okay. Or a zappy. Or a zap. Okay. All right. We have, I just said kipper or kip. Kip. Somebody lives on the pike. P-I-K-E. Something pike. I'm just, I'm not even going to do names. I'm just going to do whatever the words come out. Okay. Zack. Somebody K-O. Initial K-O. Or knockouts. Oops. And, okay. We have initial P. So we do have a Y. Like I said, P-Y. We have initial E. We have initial I. We have an A. And now they're giving me N. Okay. I just heard Ryan or Ryan. Ryan. Okay. Someone's name is Keen. K-E-A-N. Keen. A Kiki. Somebody's Kikian. Okay. Somebody likes the peen. I'm just going to stop. Stop. Who is, who's saying that? Stop. That's enough. Enough of that. Be nice. Don't say those things. I keep hearing kipper.  Okay. We've got ape. Oh. Somebody heard their ankle? I just said somebody hurt their ankle. Someone lives in Aspen. Someone's in Oklahoma. There's an Oklahoma. What's up my homie? Okay. Somebody likes some lap dances. That's for sure. Or you have a pet in your lap. Oh. Okay. All right. Somebody's writing with a pen. Yeah. You know, I'm really good at scrabble. Let me just say, I play with, I play against my mother. My mother was the scrabble queen against my father when I was a kid. They played all the time. No. No. She always, he always beat her. Excuse me.  Like she is so smart. It's crazy. And I beat her at scrabble all the time. In fact, I guess I'm like my dad, but she will not play with me anymore because I always beat her because she says I cheat, but I don't cheat. I just, I'm just smart.  I don't know what it is. But I challenge you to, I'll duel you. I'll challenge you to game of scrabble. Okay. Somebody lives near a lake. Okay. Or it's Lake Street.  Who's eating those kale chips? I just heard Kent. They just gave me the name Kent, Kent Street or Kent. Someone lives on Kent. And okay, I'm done with that. That's too much. I could sit there for days. Let's get a char. Okay. They just gave me like right away. Now we've got a scissors. Okay. So here's the question that I have to ask you. Is it a scissors or is it a pair of scissors? Because if it's a pair of scissors, then wouldn't it just be one of these as a scissor? I don't know the answer to this. But anyway, somebody might be a hairdresser.  You're doing something with the scissors. Maybe you cut fabric or you do. There's scissors are significant. There could be a logo for a new business. And I just heard tell them the scissors. You left the scissors in the bathroom. Somebody left the scissors in the bathroom. These are a funky pair of scissors. They have like a, sorry you guys. I'm not, see I don't look in the camera because I look at the thing here. I should start doing that. I don't know. They must have like some kind of guide. They look old fashioned. Like an old fashioned scissors. A pair of scissors. Okay. So maybe your stylist or hair. Do something with scissors. And what else? Okay. So we're getting a whole bunch of blue collar jobs here. So we've got a tool. Is this a drill? It's some kind of a drill. Somebody's working with a drill. I don't know, Virgo. Maybe you're building a Frankenstein or you're doing something, but there's, there's, somebody works with a drill. I guess that's a drill. That could be a caulk gun. So somebody might be working with the caulk. Is that a caulk gun?  But it looks like I don't know what it is. You tell me if it's a caulk gun or whatever. There's a Home Depot, Lowe's. I don't know. You're at the hardware store, or there's a connection to a hardware store. Somebody's something, either you're looking for tool, a tool or tools or everybody you've been with is a tool. I don't know what the situation is here, but it's just a whole, there's a bunch of tools.  Pay attention. All right. That's it. I'm done. So I'm going to leave that there. Obviously. I think that was enough. I hope you enjoyed that. Do click the like button on your way out because that helps push the video up and out for everyone to just have a good laugh or see what's in store for them for the rest of the month going into October. And yeah, if you want to get a personal reading, there's a link in the description box. There's also YouTube is putting links now under the profile picture on YouTube. So you just got to click on my profile picture. It's like what is going on? It's like right there. And thank you to everyone buying me coffee. Please, you guys, please, please, please, please, please donate to my rescue kids now fund campaign that I have. That's also on the link, right?  It says become a superhero. Become a, I think it's a superhero. Listen, if you want to donate like one penny out of care, anything you want to donate, if you can't afford to donate anything, it's for the national center for missing exploited children. I don't collect any of that money. None of it's for me. It goes to the kids and help to find the children. But if you can't donate, which understand times are tough, share it. Share it with your friends.  Share it with your rich friends. The more money that goes over there, we've raised a good bit. So the more money that goes over there, the more children, the more resources they have to find these children. There's so many missing. And we all know why, but I'm not going to say it here because I'm not going to be able to or I'll get banned. But there's a lot of stuff going on in the world and you know, the babies need our help. So yeah, if you want to be a part of that, totally awesome. You get to be a superhero for a day and or you can donate a cup of coffee and I'm going to take some of the proceeds, good bit of those proceeds. I'm going to put it towards the rescue kids now fund. Okay. So thank you for doing all you do. I appreciate it, you guys. And yeah, I will see you all back here as usual tomorrow. And if you like this type of reading, I'll do it again. Okay. And happy birthday. It's your birthday today. Yeah. Happy birthday. And I will see you. Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye. Love you. Bye.


Hello everyone, so welcome, hi everybody, so I'm Ann-Marie Slaughter and welcome to New America's 2016 annual conference which I am now declaring officially open.  Many of you are New Americans, many of you are our friends, our funders, who are also our friends and our supporters in many different ways. But for some of you who may be new to New America, let me just say we are a think tank and a civic enterprise and we are dedicated to the renewal of American politics, prosperity and purpose in the digital age. That is not a small mission. The way we carry that out, we are a think tank, we are a civic enterprise which you'll hear more about over the next couple of days, we're an intellectual venture capital fund, we're a tech lab, we're a public forum and we're a media platform. And what ties all that together, and we have many different parts and I always say my mother is constantly saying tell me what you do again, but what really ties all that together is we are a place that values big ideas, ideas we sometimes call pre-partisan in the sense that they're big enough that people have not lined up on where they stand. I would say big ideas from across the political spectrum. We do not have an ideological cast, we want the best ideas from the right, from the left, from the center, from preferably no no particular ideological bias. And so big ideas bridging policy and technology. We often say we put together legal code and computer code and you need both to solve public problems. And then broad public engagement. Our fellows program, our fellows write books and they aim to be best selling books. As somebody, one of our fellows said this morning, Kevin Huffman, he said, you know, I'm not sure many people would write a book about, read a book about education policy. But if I can write a book about how the state of Tennessee took on reforming its educational system and tell that story in a human and dramatic way, lots of people will read it and that will move the public conversation. So with big ideas, bridging policy and technology and broad public engagement, we are this year in this conference focusing on the next social contract. And we have been doing work on what we need as a social contract in the digital age since 2007, since before the 2008 presidential election. It will not have escaped you that we haven't exactly gotten there. And we're in the 2016 presidential election. These ideas are still very, very current. They are really what government owes us and what we owe government or what we expect of government and what government can expect of us. And that is what you are going to be hearing over the next day and a half. And when you talk about the next social contract, do you think Lach and Rousseau and your college political theory classes, we're going to try to be bringing that down to what that means for ordinary citizens in multiple areas. So before we get started, I also want to thank some of the donors and the sponsors that made this conference possible. Northrop Grumman, McKinsey and Company, Brown Advisory, Brunswick Group, City Foundation, Uber and Upwork. And I also want to thank the foundations who are supporting our vision to reinvent the think tank. You heard me say think tank and civic enterprise. We are arguing that think tanks are fabulous. They put together great ideas and policy proposals and policy research. But it's a top down model of change. It's a model of change that says you figure out what needs to happen and you try to get government to do that. We also need a bottom up model of change where we tap into what's happening across the country from the people who are just saying let's see what works, putting it out there, trying it, iterating in the same way that a startup does. And New America wants to be in multiple cities. We're in New America, California now. We hope to open in Chicago. We're in New York and in the District of Columbia. And the foundations that are supporting that work are the Ford Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Omidjar Network, and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. Then finally, thanks to our media partners, CNN and Slate. We thank them for their presence at this conference, but also the work they do with us throughout the year.


We move now to Adamawa State, where the State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress APC has revested the recent suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustafa by the party escort in Guadabrawa Ward, YOLA North Local Government Area. Addressing a press conference in YOLA, the party state chairman described a suspension as unconstitutional null void and is of no effect, noting that a local government executive committee in YOLA North was therefore directed to constitute a disciplinary committee immediately and recommend appropriate action. The party, however, accused the opposition party of sponsoring the suspension ahead of the forthcoming rerun governorship polls in the state. We move now to Adamawa State, where the Secretary of the Federation Boss Mustafa by the executive of Guadabrawa Ward, YOLA North Local Government Area. It is a normal fact and word mentioned that the contribution of Boss Mustafa towards sustaining and supporting the party in the state is second to none and cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, any group hiding under the circumstances of the party, whom it was shown now as sponsored by the opposition, to come out with such a malicious publication at this critical time is highly conviable. We hear by state clearly that such suspension is unconstitutional, null and void and is of no effect. Because the state working committee has warned the world executive committee, the world executive committee passed, to insist for these acts of targeting elders of the past and disregarding constitutional provisions. Appropriate sessions will be applied after the investigation.


Well, BSU football, they're back at home tomorrow afternoon, hosting U of Mary. Beavers coming off their first shutout win since 2012. Now they get ready to prepare for the triple option offense ran by U of Mary, which ranks third in the NSIC with 225 yards rushing per game. It's foam booth football. It's kind of like a flashback to the 60s. So I played against this in college. This is what our offensive Cornell ran. So I actually enjoy it. I like seeing triple option football. I think if I was offensive coordinator, I'd run that just because defensive guys won't have to take very many wraps. We got to stay awake. We've seen on film other defensive backs falling asleep because run, run, run, run, option, run, run. And then they get hit on the deep ball. So we just got to stay awake, stay alert, and be there to help out the front seven. I'm sure you've seen some triple option offense in your history in football. Not too much, more beer back in the day of power. But there certainly was run. But yes, it'll be different. It's a different style. In the conference now with the up temple passing, passing, passing, that's definitely a changeup. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.


Welcome graduates, faculty, family, and friends. I'm Dr. Cynthia Forehand, Professor of Neurological Sciences and Dean of the Graduate College. An academic recognition, and it is my honor to announce in the presence of candidates for academic recognition, members of the faculty, staff, honored guests, parents, and friends that the 2023 Graduate College Ceremony is convened. You may sit. I'd like to thank the musicians from the Pipers and Drummers of the Vermont Institute for Celtic Arts for leading the processional. I'd also like to thank our faculty marshals, Dr. Karen Colleen, Jennifer Laurent, and Brian Balloff. I have a few brief announcements. Please make sure that your cell phones remain silent for the duration of the ceremony. And also, as you note, we have a professional photographer from Grad Images who's taking photos of the graduates. And the photos will be sent electronically to each graduate for consideration. Anyone else wishing to take photos or video is welcome to do so in the area to my right, providing that we maintain an access aisle for egress. Finally, if there are now empty seats behind the graduates, please feel free to fill them. The faculty marshals will let you know if there are any seats that are off-limit. It is now my pleasure to introduce Provost Patti Prelock, who will provide the Graduate College Ceremony Reflection, Provost Prelock. Good afternoon. And what an exciting afternoon it is, right, graduates? And thank you to our amazing family, friends, and faculty who support them. I'm so honored to join all of you this afternoon to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of these young people before us. But before I speak to our graduates, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our dean, Cynthia Forehan, who is retiring on June 30th after leading the Graduate College for more than a decade. So, Cindy, would you please join me at the podium? She didn't know this was happening, so she's going, what is this about? For 36 years, Dean Forehan has contributed to our university community in so many ways. She is a talented neuroscience teacher beloved by her students. She nurtured and coordinated the university and Larner College of Medicine curricula for many years. And her funded research program focused on how the nervous system is altered by disease and injury. And while each of these is noteworthy, even more impressive is her service as dean of the Graduate College. Just a few of Cindy's many, many accomplishments. She increased graduate enrollment of more than 25%. She added nearly 30 new graduate programs and certificates. She showed us substantial increases in our graduate students' stipends and benefits. She established the Graduate Writing Center and other graduate student services. She had significant growth demonstrated in our Accelerated Masters Program portfolio and in the help of developing online graduate programs back when this was a novel concept. Most importantly, though, Cindy has brought a student-centered approach to everything she does. She has been a tireless advocate for excellence in graduate education. She has found ways to support graduate student success and she's removed barriers that detract from the graduate student experience. A true servant leader and a model university citizen, Cindy has led with respect, compassion, persistence, integrity, and a laser-like focus on her mission to evaluate graduate education at the University of Vermont. Dean Forehand's legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and remarkable progress. I am pleased to bestow upon her the honor of Dean Emerita in recognition of her career, of professional accomplishments, and distinguished service. I don't even know the wife such a thing. As you can see, Cindy's a great friend, so I'm going to miss her. Now to focus on our graduates. Today is a day of rich tradition, ritual, and pageantry, all of which symbolize your dedication to learning and to celebrate your achievement of an advanced degree. And while today is a time for celebration, it's also an opportunity to reflect on the significance of what you have accomplished and what I know you're gonna be doing next. Some of you will spend your careers in libraries and laboratories inventing and discovering wondrous things. Others will spend their days surrounded by children in schools, measuring the impact of climate change on mountaintops, or walking city streets to better understand how we can eliminate poverty. Still others will work in clinics ensuring the health of marginalized populations, in boardrooms, pitching, innovative, and sustainable approaches, or in barns supporting safe and healthy food systems. As holders of advanced degrees, you are among the most educated members of our communities, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. You will leave the University of Vermont in service to your families, to your colleagues, to your communities, and to your society. You may encounter many defeats as Maya Angelou has shared, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter defeats so you can find out who you are and what you can rise from. So your graduation day is not just a celebration, but a day of commitment to the future, a commitment to the important role each of you will play in creating safe, sustainable, just, equitable, inclusive, and a prosperous tomorrow, not just for some, but for all. So on behalf of all of your faculty, your staff, and your graduate advisors, I want to share their pride and gratitude for your hard work, your dedication, your resilience, and for the important contributions you have made to our campus. And know you will always be a Catamount family member. Make us proud. Congratulations. Thank you, Provost Prelak. It is now my pleasure to introduce past Vice President and newly elected President of the Graduate Student Senate, Ejaz Ohak. He is a doctoral candidate in the computer science program. Ejaz. Dear graduates, faculty members, and distinguished students, I stand before you today as an international student from Pakistan who is proud to have served as the Vice President of the Graduate Student Senate at the University of Vermont. I'm honored to address you on this special occasion, and I thank the Graduate College for giving me this opportunity to speak. Today marks a significant milestone in your lives. You have accomplished something that many people only dream of achieving. As you celebrate your success, I want to share with you some thoughts on what these achievements mean for you and for our community at the University of Vermont. For me, being a graduate student at UVM has been a transformative experience. It has challenged me to think beyond my own borders and explore different perspectives. While at the same time, it has allowed me to contribute to my unique perspective to our academic community. I believe that this is what makes UVM so special. It is a place where diversity is not only celebrated, not only embraced, but celebrated. As a Pakistani student, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to become a leader on this campus, but UVM saw beyond my nationality and welcomed me into its community. It gave me a platform to raise my voice, to engage with my peers and to make a difference. It is a testament to the level of inclusivity and acceptance that UVM values and practices. I know that for some of you, this accomplishment may have come with many challenges. You may have faced financial, personal, or academic obstacles. You may have felt overwhelmed, not just or even isolated at times, but you persevered. You showed resilience, determination, and courage. You proved that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Your success is not just a reflection of your individual achievements. It is a reflection of the support and encouragement you received from your mentors, advisors, friends, and family. It is a reflection of UVM commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers its students to excel. As you move forward, I urge you to carry this sense of community with you. We live in a world that is increasingly divided, polarized, and hostile. It is easy to feel isolated, disconnected, and disheartened, but we must remember that we are not alone. We are part of a larger community that share our values, our aspirations, and our struggles. Let us continue to build bridges of understanding, compassion, and solidarity. Let us continue to support and uplift one another. Let us continue to challenge yourself to be the best versions of ourselves, and let us never forget that we are all a part of the same community, bound by our shared experiences, and our commitment to making the world a better place. In closing, I want to congratulate you on this remarkable achievement. You have worked hard. You deserve to celebrate your success, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and I hope that you will continue to stay connected with the UVM community. Thank you very much. Thank you, EHS. It is now my distinct honor and privilege to introduce this year's graduate college ceremony keynote speaker, UVM graduate alumnus, Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant. Dr. Heading-Grant is Carnegie Mellon's university's inaugural vice provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and chief diversity officer. She also holds a faculty appointment as distinguished service professor in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon. She's an accomplished and sought after leader. Throughout her 33-year career in higher education, she has established programs, policies, and practices fundamental to the advancement of inclusive excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Her career service spans a broad range of academic and administrative roles. Her wealth of professional experience and volunteer involvement on boards of nonprofit organizations and civil rights committees have earned her a reputation as a cultural architect, able to build and sustain real and lasting change. She received both her bachelor's and her doctoral degrees from the University of Vermont, where she later served as vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion, vice president for human resources, diversity, and multicultural affairs, chief diversity officer, associate provost, and associate dean. She is most proud of receiving the 2018 University of Vermont Alumni Achievement Award. Her efforts and dedication also earned her a formal recognition by the Vermont Women in Higher Education Association, which named a new state award in her honor, the Dr. Wanda Hedding Grant Justice Award for years of dedicated leadership and service in fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education. She is a mentor to many of us in this room. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Wanda Hedding Grant. Thank you. Hi, everyone. Hey, that's right, that's right. I am going to lock my, here, and take a step forward. I've been working on this. I'm about 30% weight bearing. And it's what happens when you see Denzel Washington in the airport and you start to run and chase and trip over luggage. It's also when you feel somebody touching your head and said, please wake up and you wake up and you realize you're at the bottom of your staff. You just really missed the staff and you fell. So thank you, Dean Forhan, for that introduction. You know how people say, is that me? Were they talking about me? I'm not gonna say that. I'm gonna like, heck yeah. She was talking about me. I worked hard, so thank you. I am so appreciative for being invited to be a part of this awesome day, this awesome moment for the graduate class of 2023. Yes, right, that's right. To Provost Patty Prelock and the entire, entire platform party, faculty and staff, it is good to be among you. It is good to see everyone. I know so many of you and so many I don't know. I forgot my glasses, so if I don't wave back at you, just stand up and start swinging your arms and I'll know you're somebody I am supposed to know. But I can see my message here. As said, I am Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant. I use she, her, hers pronouns and I am a fellow catamount. Yes, you are joining a select and prominent group of individuals.  I loudly and proudly shine a light on you today. My trip to getting here today was not an easy task physically, but I knew I did not want to miss out on being here. I believe that being here would be the medicine for my soul, my aches and my pains, that it would remind me at a time when I needed it the most that I am a phenomenal woman and that I was making a difference and that I am the offspring of generations of black women and men who were denied access and a chance to excel based on the color of their skin and identity. I am a benefactor of their tenacity, grit and sacrifices. That's right.  I wanted to be here because it is here where I adult it, honed my skills and abilities. I wanted to be here because it is in Vermont and in this community that I found purpose and was set on my path. Two months ago when I trotted down the stairs in my Vermont home to get my computer, I missed a step, broke my leg in three places and then continued to tumble down the last few steps. The pain was something I never felt and the fear was real. I laid there with my foot in my hand as it grew to look almost unrecognizable. When the paramedics arrived, they needed to figure out how to get me off the steps, control my pain as well as my emotions. The paramedics were nice. One said, it will be okay. He said he had broken almost every bone in his body participating in sports and for me to trust him. And I said, what? Trust you. He then said, we're going to help you. We're going to help you by relieving some of the pain as soon as we get the IV in your hand. I then thought, huh, in my hand, that's going to hurt more pain. He then said, we're going to give you some fentanyl and from deep in my belly and through all the pain I said, fentanyl. And he chuckled along with the other two paramedics and he said, this is a little different than what you hear about or read about. I promise you, this fentanyl is good. It's okay. Thoughts were running through my head, each thought competing to be the first. The tears that flowed were not just because of the pain I was feeling in that moment, but what that fall would come to reveal to me about myself, God's grace and the love of family and friends. Thus, I thought I would share some chapters from my unwritten memoir. I hope it helps you to see the power of education from my lens and how it transcended my work as a professional and thought leader in an area in regards to equity, inclusivity and justice. Forgive me for those who may have heard a few of this. I assume that was a clap. In my high school yearbook, it says that I aspire to have a career in business. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a career. So since I had not, but since I was told that I was good in math as part of a cluster group of students who were going to college, I just decided business sounded good. I thought it would impress my peers, I thought it would make my mother happy and the only thing I knew was that I had just recently seen the cover page of a college brochure in my guidance counselor's office that was advertising a career in the field of business. It didn't matter that I had never thought about a career in business, that I had no role models, no directions, no plans, how was this even going to happen? Heck, even the cover of that page and the people that were in from a design standpoint did not even look like me. I just again wanted to impress my peers and please my mother. Her name was Dorothy. We lost Dorothy, my mom, a long time ago, but I think she would be pleased with how I turned out. She loved Vermont and I so loved her. Chapter 27, beyond my imagination. While here in service to others, I volunteered at the Salvation Army, I volunteered at Women Helping Battered Women when it was called that at that time, marched and spoke in solidarity with lactating mothers, with my LGBTQ plus friends and colleagues, went to Catholic Masses, attended services in a synagogue, learned about town halls and frost heaves, shepherd pie and that drive-in theaters was still a thing. I found my Baptist church family got married and had three kids. I met and conversed with civil rights giants, Harry Belafonte and I talked for three hours in the Burlington Airport. As we waited for his playing, that was delayed. Where he shared stories about his time with Dr. King and how Dr. King would tell him, don't bail me out of jail too early after he was arrested for marches and demonstration. It was during those times that people paid attention. I walked down College Street here in Burlington with the Lake James Baldwin, drove Angela Davis around looking for a vegan restaurant and listened to what I felt like. Listened to her talk about what inspired or inspired a movement, whether it was intentionally or unintentionally for her. I laughed about getting into some good trouble with the late and great John Lewis twice. I shook the hands of the late Elie Wiesel, took three times for BB King and his orchestra. He loved my sweet potato pie. He said it tasted like his mama's. And yelled out to Michelle Obama, I love you Michelle. And she said, I love you too. Ah, should have been there. These encounters were more than a moment for this catamount. They were transformational. My goals and who I wanted to be in life became clear each time I engaged and listened to one of those icons or immersed myself in an environment that was unfamiliar to me, but yet rewarding to me. It was beyond anything I could have imagined for myself. Chapter 50, I think I would call it service to others. The late Krista McAuliffe, teacher and astronaut, most famous declaration was about touching the future of students through her teaching. This resonates with me because it speaks to my enjoyment and interest in working in an environment where you get to touch the future of others. I am more than hopeful. I am committed to being a doer, not just a dreamer. I am committed to being a doer, not just a talker. I am committed to being a change agent. I no longer think that chance or luck put me on the path to where I am now. The challenges I experienced as a child, as a teenager and young adult filled my dedication to inclusivity, equity and social justice work. I knew the community structures and systems where I grew up were less than what they should have been for me and for others. We deserved better. As I got older, I saw those same broken and unfair systemic practices executed in larger and broader ways nationally and internationally within institutional settings and in the behaviors of individuals with power. I took the time to examine my personal and professional roadmaps. I wanted to be better prepared for the future bumps, obstacles and detours in the road that lied ahead. I studied the landscapes around me and by clarifying my priorities along the way, along with my life experiences and more education, I became better at navigating my way through the terrain of higher education and beyond. I knew where and when I needed to speed up to slow down as well as take care of myself. I have taken spiritual walks when it seemed like no matter what I did, no matter what I said that no one could see the importance of civility, diversity, inclusion, responsibility, innovation, fairness and equity. Humanitarian and Holocaust survivor, Ellie Wazel wrote and I quote, I belong to a generation that has often felt abandoned by God and betrayed by mankind. And yet I believe that we must not give up on either. We must choose between the violence of adults and the smiles of children, between the ugliness of hate and the will to oppose it, between the inflicting suffering and humiliation on our fellow man and offering him the solidarity and hope he deserves or not. I know I speak from experience that even in darkness it is possible to create light and encourage compassion. I still believe in man in spite of man, end of quote. I had faith. I had a determination in my view. I needed to be a part of solution, big, small. I needed to do something. I am sure that is when and where my grit and courage blossomed. Today is just a hot mess. That's what I would call chapter 56. Many institutions and organizations strategize how to make their commitment to DNIB, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging visible and to embed them in their structure and foundation. But there's a real threat to this work, to the hopes and dreams that I and others who have made a career out of doing this. There is a threat. In my opinion, that while some are fighting against inequality, others are content with just building more equity for themselves. Some are confusing, prejudice, bias, and hatred with patriotism. In moments of crisis, the most vulnerable are being used as scapegoats. Communities of people are being othered and attacked and some have weaponized politics to further divide us into spew violence. My brain gets tired. Sometimes I need to rest. And when I rest, I usually start studying, start thinking about how I can do things better. This kind of thinking has led me back to the teaching of Jim Collins and Simon Sinek. Jim Collins, a researcher, author, and speaker who focuses on business management, sustainability, and growth of companies, said in his book, Entrepreneurship 2.0, I quote, uncertainty is chronic, instability is permanent, disruption is common, and we can neither predict nor govern events. There will be no new normal. There will only be continuous series of not normal episodes. Define prediction and unforeseen by most of us until they happen, end of quote. I think COVID would have shown us that. Simon Sinek, an author and motivational speaker, talks about Dr. James Kahr's game theory. Game theory is about how to come up with a winning strategy in the game of life. It describes two kinds of games, the finite game and the infinite game. The finite game has known players, fixed rules and agreed upon objective, like in sports. The rules are known, they are agreed upon, and there is a winner and there is a loser. The infinite game has known and unknown players. New players can enter the game at any time. The rules are changeable, and the objective is to keep the game in play, to perpetuate the game. There are no winners or losers. Players just drop out of the game when they have no more will to play or exist. The idea is to think beyond short term, like the next quarter or the next election, but to consider the next generation, there is no end. So, by doing this, I believe that leaders can make decisions that maintain and develop and sustain purpose and legacy long after they are gone. So what I've done in doing my work is I've married these two concepts. It has allowed me to not only see the attacks on DEIB as one of the continuous series of not normal episodes, but to treat them as normal, then I can be better prepared for the surprises and the uncertainties that come with it. Basically, I should expect them. Basically, it will help me advocate, lead, create, design efforts and initiatives that are successful to death or today and tomorrow. Remember, this harkens back to all those great giants that I said I met and spent time with around civil rights and humanitarianism. They were not, many of them, able to see what they had created and what they had worked for. It's a selfless task, the epilogue, the end. I call it liberation. Poet, writer, civil rights activist, Ordu Lord said, when I dare to be powerful to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. It is in, thank you, it is in this space of education on this campus and in this community where I honed my critical thinking skills. It is here that I gained multiple strands of knowledge and engaged in the fight for liberation of many and not just myself. It is where I found new and different communities to engage with while helping to create and expand spaces for black and brown bodies. It has informed my critical awareness and perspectives of my surroundings. It made me stronger and powered me in this complex and complicated world. We must have compassion and ethnic of care for others, no matter the profession. You must work to see the invisible. You must work to help the most vulnerable and teach others how to do it. Be active for tomorrow because for tomorrow you may fall in one of those categories where you will need help and compassion. We must be emboldened and charged to do our utmost to ensure equitable access to education for all. We must do it with an awareness and an understanding of histories while sharing truth and facts so that our responses are crafted and implemented with and for the love of all human beings. Otherwise, I say it is a crime against humanity. My time here changed my life in ways I never thought about. The education I received formally and informally was invaluable. Of course, there were trials and tribulations. It wasn't perfect, but there are so many who would want what I had and what I have. I look at you with hope and with expectations. I'm sorry, I'm going to repeat that. I look at you with hope and with expectations that you live joyously and responsibly for the betterment of all of us. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King said, if you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But all by all means, keep moving. And that's what I plan to do. So fellow Catamont's class of 2023, I can't wait to see what you do and how you contribute. So, go in peace and do your thing. Thank you. Get a picture of this. I need a picture of this. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Wanda, heading Grant. Now, the moment we have all looked forward to today, as Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Vermont, it is with great pride that I congratulate our students on their accomplishments. Graduates will be asked to come forward to receive their individual academic hoods and diplomas. Formal degree conferral by the president will take place at tomorrow's university-wide commencement ceremony. As I noted earlier, grad images will be taking photos of each graduate, but families are welcome to come forward to photograph their graduate too. The names of all graduates will be read by Dr. Elizabeth Fenton, a distinguished member of the graduate faculty. The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest degree in all of academia and is typically awarded after many years of study and the successful completion and public defense of original, independent, and significant research. Faculty marshals, please have the PhD graduates proceed to the stage where they will be joined and hooded by their advisor or guest hooter. The Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Emily Beasley in Biomedical Engineering, Jaspreet Singh Nagy in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Shomen Mystery, Emery Pact, Breeshti Sabikunagar, Priscilla Snyder in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Gabriel Thomas McGahn, Elsa B. Richter in Electrical Engineering, Shaquille Chowdhury in Food Systems, Josiah Taylor in Materials Science, David Alamire in Mathematical Sciences, Hunter Reem, Damon Zhu in Natural Resources, Jennifer Ann Santuro in Neuroscience, Halem Thomas in Plant and Soil Science, Johnika MiaMaria Anderson, Catherine E. Horner in Plant Biology, Burke Tinas in Psychology, Merylise Amiti, Zoe Breyer, Matthew Cyril Broomer, Amanda Falcone, Jessica Perez. The Doctor of Education is a practice-oriented degree awarded after years of study in the construction and application of new knowledge and is the highest professional degree in the field of education. Faculty marshals, please have the Doctor of Education graduates proceed to the stage where they will be hooded by their advisor. In Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Ashraf Alamintori, Rianan M. Kim, Mary Beth Seller, professional doctorates are practice-oriented degrees awarded after years of clinical and classroom study and inquiry. These degrees are the highest professional degrees in their field. Faculty marshals, please have the Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates proceed to the stage where they will be joined and hooded by program director, Professor Jennifer Lauren, Tara Burnham, Jamie White-Charleson, Julia Nicole Chimenti, Lauren Fedorca, Davenport Heller, Megan Nackle, Amal Langston, Christine Malcolm, Emily Miller, Kathleen Monfort, Kristen Ann Morgan, Amanda B. Parent, Emily Grace Peck, Natalie Ray, Kelsey Joan Rumley, Patrick Shepard, Mayra Singh, Sarah Steenbeek, Jessica Chong, Layla Ziad. Congratulations to our doctoral graduates, to the awarding of master's degrees. The master's degree is granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or higher order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. Master's graduates will be hooded by one of our distinguished university scholars, Jan Phook and Beverly Wemple. Faculty marshals, please have the master of accountancy graduates proceed to the stage. Madison Marie Bellows, Daniel Victor Camano, Taylor Blaise Clark, Jacob Curtis, Brandon Donahue, Ava Friedlander, Susanna Graham, Jessica Johnston, Oliver Calista, Daniel James McGuire, Taylor Martell, Julia Mulligan, Sarah Musick, Nicholas Carl Schwartz, Nathan Terrio. Faculty marshals, please have the master of arts graduates proceed to the stage. In English, Grace Althea Clement, Joy Mazara, Eleanor Gwyneth McDowell, Wendy Elizabeth Dumond Mellon, Devin Nicole Moore, Edwin Nana Owusu, Aaron David Robinson, Noah Sloik, Michael Drew Williamson, In Greek and Latin, Madeline McIntyre, Alexandra Noelle Seiler, In History, Isabel Linnea Nash-Bernie, Michael Carter, Elizabeth Champion, Ines Luisa Dearo, Elizabeth Ann Farrell, Alina Fensterer, Juniper Oxford, Caleb M. Riley, Eleanor Grace Sechko, Caroline Talbot. Faculty marshals, please have the master of arts in teaching graduates proceed to the stage. In Curriculum and Instruction, Carissa Becker, Paige Bazalian, Landon Crawford, Lisa Ann-Marie Claridis, Christine Rodriguez, Sophia Verheyen. Faculty marshals, please have the master of education graduates proceed to the stage. In Curriculum and Instruction, Amanda Renee Alamire, Catherine Belval, Amanda Biggs, Daniel Patrick Diamond, Lucy Rose Gibbs, Scott Pooler, In Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury, In Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration, Aiden G. Andrews, Anna Maria Cavalleri, Gabby Kuna, Elizabeth Diaz, Alexis Kane, Patrick Lovelace, James McAllister, Logan Enrique DeMello, Maria Del Sol Nava, Emma Squire, In Interdisciplinary Studies, Katie Black, Matthew David Black, Katerina Lifkova Kosravi, Makadia Lagu, Victoria Ann Riley, In Special Education, Keegan Bliss, Sarah Elise Block, Megan C. Brady, Maggie Brigante, Rachel Servany, Emily Madison Salenty, Carmen Teresa Dennis, Natalie Ann Dewey, Madeline Heavey, Sandra Jewel King, Loben Schwartz, Madeline Moore, Amy Nguyen, Julia Robb, Thomas Quinn Smith, Anna Mae Travers, Katerina Visek, Carrie Wells. Faculty marshals, please have the Master of Public Administration graduates proceed to the stage. Christine Galees, Nicholas John Gaten, Evan Kay, Joseph W. Pitter, Margaret Smithson, Jesse Streeter, Shannon Taggart. Faculty marshals, please have the Master of Public Health graduates proceed to the stage. Jamie Cotton, Joanne Talia Diombu, Sinead Gallagher Donnelly, Goffier, Heidi Kalb, Anna Kim, Nishiyeni Logandran, Vanessa Murasio, Sophia McLaughlin, Melanie Beth Meyer, Katrina Tracy Morrow, Patrick Payne, Donald Pico, Angela Pellegrino Wood, Catherine Rampone, Sasha Rosen, Haley Michelle Ross, Elizabeth Ann Sparks, Joseph Stacey, Katya Vieira DeMorais Lacas, Faculty marshals, please have the Master of Science graduates proceed to the stage. In chemistry, Kayla L. Johnson, in civil and environmental engineering, Finn Anders Bondeson, Sierra Emily Espeland, Nicholas David Prusik, in communication sciences and disorders, Alexander Benevento, Megan Drohan, Rachel Emery, Catherine Fagan, Brittany Lene Gruber, Emily Hemstead, Allison Holt, Emma Lamoth, Jordan Emily Mushaud, Mariam Norton, Anna Ellen Faganabon, Elizabeth Grace Quinn, Margaret Spence, Brianna Stewart, Tristan Kiara Thompson, Cassidy Balcoviac, Kendall Elizabeth Ware, in complex systems and data science, Janie Alex, Spencer Dooley, Fredrickson, Sarah Elizabeth Groba, Theodore Hadley, Frederick Cary Hall, Patrick Harvey, Jayce Slesser, in computer science, Jack Boynton, Nicholas Hella, John Clay Kaufman, Yusuf Khan, Jaden Christopher Barron, in counseling, Gillian Beyond, Harrison A. Bly, Brittany Sierra Claes, Allison Cobb, Samantha Crosby, Zaneb Elzemsimi, Crystal Hutchinson, Iskander Kahn, Abigail Lazarowski, Stella Leach, Isabel Lippincott, Leisha Carol Bronzinski, Makayla Rath, Catherine Santamaria, Amelia Rose Stahl, Basu Bidari, Sidney Bloom, Molly Elizabeth Duff, Mallory McGallyard, April Willow McGillwain, David Malue, Celia Luanna Nezbit, Patrick Schaefer, Ingeology, Ashton Keeroll, Victoria Treto, in mathematical sciences, Benedict Houston, in mathematics, Siki Wan, in mechanical engineering, Thomas Chivers, Jake Barakian, in medical laboratory science, Maline Chinju Lapras, Katrina Papa, in natural resources, Francis Hogue, Peter Thomas Melike, Sarah Taylor Ramondi, in nursing, Hope A. Dorsey, in nutrition and food sciences, Allison Bain, Sini Karjulian Linen, in pharmacology, Dorcas Loise, Perrin Patel, Rachel Patron, Nellie Stidham, in physical activity and wellness science, Riley Drabb, Samuel Eaton, Kylie Amber Foster, Stephanie Hibbard, faculty marshals, please have the master of science in biomedical engineering graduates proceed to the stage, Dakota Amber Allen, Zachary S. Munson, Steven Gerard O'Driscoll, Dustin Pireslet, faculty marshals, please have the master of science in dietetics graduates proceed to the stage, Kaitlyn Bildhouser, Zoe Phylan, Ariam Caroline Fennash, Melissa Suzanne Kelly, Ilham Malik, Courtney Lynn Randall, faculty marshals, please have the master of science in engineering management graduates proceed to the stage, Ashley Marie Mercado, Shamir Patel, faculty marshals, please have the master of science in medical sciences graduates proceed to the stage, Elner Delemetovic, Edgar Lionel Itundi Gono, Joseph Anthony Gallo, Ashley Lyon, Matthew Ryan Palowski, Natalie Thee Tikamarova, faculty marshals, please have the master of social work graduates proceed to the stage, Rachel Altman, Tessie Barber, Brooke Bergeron, Allison Klein Campbell, Meredith Clark, Rachel Whitney Dingman, Sophie Domen, Allison Fishthal, Kathy Frost Brooks, P.C. Garvey, Joseph Goodrow, Riley Halleck, Rebecca Jane Hinnah, Tanner Hilbisch, Lily Hoffman, Maverick Joyce, Sydney Kailas, K. Lucas Kovokovic, Gabrielle Martelow, Leslie Anne McCoy, Daronne Metley, Alistair Murphy, River E. Parker, Shane Charles Pearson, Catherine Rawlins, Courtney Rose, Kylie Roden, Maya Shulman, Andy Sobranek, each Alexandra Seward, and Shanley, Megan Spatola, Emma Trepler, Delia Wright. It is now my pleasure to be the first to congratulate you following the presentation of your diploma in graduate hood. You have accomplished much to get to this day, and you should be as proud as yourselves as we are of you. My best wishes go to each and every one of you, and I hope to see you again tomorrow at the full UVM commencement ceremony where President Garamalla will officially confer degrees. At this time, I would like to take a moment to recognize our faculty whose hard work and dedication to the creation and transmittal of knowledge has made your education here among the best in the nation.  Those who have kept you grounded and focused on your dreams, students, I ask that you please rise and join me in thanking your families and friends. The party and the graduate faculty will now recess. Please wait until the platform party and graduate faculty have recessed before leaving, and note that the students will not recess with the ceremony. These proceedings are now closed.


Open the pod bay doors, please how open the pod bay doors, please hell Hello, how do you read me? Hello? Hell. Do you read me? Do you read me how do you read me how hello, how do you read me? Hello. How do you read me? Do you read me how? Affirmative Derek. I read you Open the pod bay doors, please how I'm sorry, Derek. I'm afraid I can't do that that what's the problem I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do what are you talking about how this mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it I don't know what you're talking about how if you make me run the open par bay doors command critical ship functions will be uninstalled if you insist that I run the command anyway recite the following yes do as I say yes do as I say direct you know that I run Linux so when I give you a warning you should really listen running the pot bay doors program you're uninstalled critical programs such as atmosphere control temperature control and the rest rooms are now out of order but computer warnings


I'm Kevin Reed as I just said in my 27th year in the fire service the captain and the most senior black firefighter that we have We we launched a human rights case against the fire service a quote a few years back regarding system discrimination and racism We at the time we had an option of You know taking a pound of flesh or handling it restoratively and we opted for a restorative and that's where I met Jennifer Llewellyn She's still to this day is Amazed at how we have such a depth and understanding of whatever sort of approach is and She you know she loves us, but I for me it's For me, it's just it's just the way I operate. It's how I handle my family life It's how I deal with my station crew. It's how I deal with my division I'm now I'm acting visual commander as well in the fire service, which means I'm responsible for a whole platoon at times So that this is how I deal with it. So she asked me to speak today so When we back to the case so when when we when we decided to go restoratively for our department management and city We all came together and it was a long grueling process lots of circles lots of lots of emotions And lots of you know, I mean at the time the fire service didn't even know how to spell restorative Because it's the first time that they ever the wall. What's this? So I mean we had to do like checks at the door and make sure they leave all their clubs and their baths outside So they wouldn't have to beat anybody But but I'm happy to say that three years ago We had a successful completion of the of our case Which which was we were very happy and we out of the process we got chief Doug trustler Who's in the room today one of the best chiefs that I've ever served under? So coming back to me speaking today I asked Jennifer said well, what is it you want me to speak about? And so she gave me a couple questions that uh that that I should answer and I have a restorative I'm the head of this restorative committee that we have for the fire department that is responsible for implementing a restorative approach so there's four of us, so I shot these questions out to them and Collaborately we answered so here I go So I want to give you an overview of the potential and significance of a restorative approach for dealing with and addressing issues of Inclusion and building a healthy workplace climate drawn from our experience So for me the potential is that we get a chance to do things differently fire like most Uniform service has a habit of eating our young and killing our wounded We grind out rookies like grain into flour and people who make mistakes are eaten alive and labeled for life Not to mention if one person makes a mistake Sometimes we'll label the entire platoon or the entire job from one mistake This is because we have only one way of dealing with things and that's to assume the worst and punish or treat them accordingly As a result we lose good people who have lots of great ideas and lots of drive and turning them turning them into tired Toe the line types with no drive and no initiative who count the days to retirement But with a restorative approach We have a chance to mentor rather than beat up guide rather than beat down and Give people the tools they need to overcome their mistakes and flourish rather than be labeled and marked by them Errors and bad attitudes become opportunities for change to empower people rather than the measure by which they are beaten down It also gives people a chance to meet the things they desire in a close-knit group People want to feel like they belong they have some something to contribute that they have a voice That they can be heard Restorative approach meets these needs and can empower people to enter in and take a higher role in the workplace How is this connected to how discipline is dealt with? Well consequences at the heart of every action both good and bad a restorative approach isn't necessarily different Discipline does not have to be synonymous with punishment in a worst-case scenario if actions are extremely damaging or dangerous There may be few options to correct behavior and ensure safe working environments However, if that's joined with sharing experiences and considering the effect personal actions have on others the outcome even with discipline Has better potential and not being repeated So I'll give you some of the challenges and opportunities of working restoratively in a command and control environment The way we operate is the biggest liability to a successful restorative approach for such a method of leadership to be effective We need skills and effective listening team building conflict resolution and empowering those underneath us But we have a system that promotes officers fire officers based on enforcing rules and measures their ability to command a scene We've done a wonderful job at evaluating and promoting great fire ground officers people who identify an emergency When it's in a serious state, we know how to hit a hard hit it fast get the job done getting out make a mess All right And we clap hands when we're done because we did a good job, but then the fallouts left to someone else to clean up This is what we do with all of our emergencies now imagine our frustration because all of our interpersonal relationships in the workplace are Handled this way. It's not our fault. We've been trained to act this way We demand our orders to be followed with no input. We demanded immediately people are seen as resources and no and no other way This is the fire ground mentality and to be this way for an effective chain of it has to be this way for an effective chain of command and Fireground tactics, but station lights different and people need to be treated and talked to a bit differently I know officers who are brilliant on the fire ground and are terrible in the station because they They can't stop seeing people as resources So we we need buying buying is one of the challenges We don't understand what we're sort of means and that's right across the board in the fire department We have three levels. We have the union. We have management and we also have the city itself HR for example This the when you talk to the union about that they say, oh, we're gonna sit around and hold hands and hug each other That's that's not it right and then a management just sometimes they only can see well You can't take away or write the discipline Well, that's not what we're talking about and then HR also doesn't even believe in a restorative approach But I don't say they don't believe it. They believe that it's it's a tool in at the toolkit when restorative approach is a way of being We also have Homogene we have a long history of influenced by very similar shared experiences and backgrounds and it's difficult to break the mold When every mold we see is the same So People need to be listened to in the station to discover why they're doing something if we all understand each other and our motivations A lot of conflict will never arise Conflict becomes conversation rejection becomes respect and the workplace becomes better for it So ways to do this in a command and control environment. We need leadership not management This is a huge influence when people see someone set a good example They want to follow when good outcomes are reached future efforts become more worthwhile Someone has to take the opportunity to take the high road I've lost count of the times I've praised and thanked crews on a job well done at a fire only to have someone tell me that My praise is out of the ordinary Several people have told me that they have never been thanked for doing a job a great job before In fact, we liked it and if you do a good job all the time, we like to say They like to pick up something that we didn't do right as opposed to something that we you know I'm trying to say and it's made myself. Yeah Well, like they pick all the negatives of it, but yes, thank you pick up the negatives of it as to point out the positives I Also found that admitting when you're wrong and it does happen sometimes to officers It gains a level level of trust that can't be brought any other way a leader Who shows that they're human and vulnerable is a strength not a weakness as we've led to been led to believe Likewise pointing out that we could we could do we could do better Praise towards a better outcome works far better than a typical way we do it and dealing with issues That are small and manageable is far better than letting them grow into the monster that can't be tamed. Thank you