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