LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - When Ludovica Polini came to the United States, she barely spoke English.
On Monday, she addressed fellow Little Rock student-athletes at a special baccalaureate ceremony.
"I feel really grateful," Polini said following the ceremony. "Little Rock is a great place, and the people have made it so special. It will always be in my heart no matter how far I am going to be in the next chapter of my life."
The Italian pole vaulter, who earned a degree in business administration, was one of more than 20 Trojans track and field athletes and baseball players that participated in the ceremony at the Jack Stephens Center. The teams missed the scheduled ceremonies Saturday with the rest of the school's graduates because of competition. The track teams were competing in the Ohio Valley Conference championships at Cape Girardeau, Mo., on the SEMO campus. The baseball squad was there, too, playing its final regular-season series against the Red Hawks.
"It was cool," said Trojans senior pitcher Jackson Wells. "It kind of sucked not being there [on Saturday] at the real deal because we were on the road, but being able to have the support today means a lot."
The ceremony featured opening remarks from Little Rock Director of Athletics
Frank M. Cuervo as well as a commencement address from Dr. Casey Rockwell, UA Little Rock College of Business Associate Professor. Dr. Carrie Phillips, the UA Little Rock Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, presented the diplomas just as she did at the ceremonies Saturday. UA-Little Rock Chancellor Christiana Drale also participated in the ceremony.
"I can't tell you enough how proud we are of your efforts for what you have done in the community, classroom and certainly competition," Cuervo told graduates at the podium. "You've worked, and some of you are still working this week, tirelessly with pride and distinction for this institution. Your efforts are appreciated more than you will ever know."
During her address, Pollini, who will attend graduate school in the Netherlands this fall, urged fellow graduates to hold on to the memories of teammates and friends. She said she will remember the relationships she built that were so important leaving family thousands of miles away.
"It's been a journey full of challenges," said Polini, who took sixth at the OVC meet. "The first several months were really hard. I was surrounded by a great team that helped me. All the professors and coaches were really helpful and supportive."
Cuervo said he hoped the graduates felt as good about their decisions Monday as they did the day they committed to compete for their respective programs.
"It feels amazing," said Polini, who will pursue a master's in health care management. It feels even better [today]. Every day was a joy to be a Trojan and compete for the school. It was so good."
Below is a list of all the graduates who received diplomas Monday.
BASEBALL
Seth Adams
Robert Bavon
Joshua Beezley
Marshall Brown
Preston Davis
Zach Henry
Trey Hill
Trent Jordan
Brenden Katz
Andrew Pickering
Luke Rolland
Hunter Royal
Jackson Wells
MEN'S TRACK
Joel Allen
Matthew Fox
Cameron Jackson
Nicholas Newby
Dominic Ward
WOMEN'S TRACK
Zoa Adams
Marcie Cudworth
Ragen Hodge
Panagiota Lazarou
Brooklyn Marcee
Ludovica Polini
Crystal Towers
