Moments

Yale Graduation Ceremony

"Please welcome to the stage, Class Valedictorian, Quinn Fabray!"

Quinn took a deep breath and stood up, smiling at the cheers and applause as she walked up to the podium.

"Thank you." Quinn said softly. "Families, friends, educators, and fellow graduates, we finally made it to the day we've been working towards since we came here."

Quinn paused as she looked out into the audience, searching for her mom, Beth, and her friends.

"A few years ago, I never would've imagined myself standing up here today. When I was a sophomore in high school, I got pregnant." Quinn continued. "I was the head cheerleader, and I spent my freshman year building up my reputation, but when I saw those two little lines, I thought it was the end of the world."

Quinn smiled as she looked at her favorite professor, Professor White.

"I thought I wouldn't get to go to college." Quinn went on. "I spent a lot of time hating myself and hating my daughter's father, but as soon as I had that baby girl in my arms, all of that went away."

Quinn took a deep breath.

"I managed to keep my grades up throughout high school, but it wasn't until the beginning of senior year when I realized that college was still a possibility for me." Quinn explained. "Beth is the reason I made it here and she's the reason that I'm standing here today giving this speech. And the reason I graduated a semester early."

"Wooooo!"

"We've all been pushed to our limits and beyond, but we know now that we're more than capable of handling whatever comes our way." Quinn went on with a smile. "And now it's time to go out into the world and change it. This is really just the beginning for us. So congratulations to all of us. We did it!"

The room erupted with applause as Quinn took her seat. She scanned the audience again, still unable to find her friends and family.

After a speech from the University President, the graduates began to line up.

"Please hold your applause until each name has been called. Valedictorian, Quinn Fabray."

"Wooohooooo!"

"Yeah, Quinn!"

"Yay, Mommy!"

-

After the ceremony, Quinn said goodbye to her school friends, congratulating them before she went out to the lobby.

"Mommy!" Beth squealed as she ran over and tackled Quinn with a hug.

"Hey, B." Quinn smiled as they parted. "Did you like my speech?"

Beth nodded. "I'm proud of you, Mama."

"Thank you." Quinn responded, scooping Beth up and kissing her cheek as she put her on her hip.

"Quinn!" Santana exclaimed as she and Brittany hugged the blonde. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Quinn said when they parted. "I'm so glad you two came."

"Quinny, your speech was beautiful." Judy said proudly. "Congratulations, honey."

"Thank you, Mom." Quinn said. "And thanks for coming."

"Of course." Judy nodded. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks." Quinn replied as she looked at Santana and Brittany with a smile. "I think I was promised a celebration."

"Well, before we do that, there are a few more people here for you today." Brittany stated. Santana nodded, gesturing to the side as she took Beth from Quinn.

Quinn eyes widened and she grinned at the sight of Puck. She ran over to him and hugged him.

Puck laughed as he held Quinn and kissed her. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you." Quinn said, looking at Puck when they parted. She put her cap on Puck's head and fixed the tassel. "I can't believe you're here."

"I couldn't miss your college graduation ceremony." Puck stated. "Especially your speech. You were great."

Quinn grinned and kissed Puck again.

"These are for you." Puck added, handing Quinn a bouquet of flowers.

"They're beautiful. Thank you." Quinn nodded.

"Alright, alright, let the rest of us say hi." Sarah requested as she hugged Quinn. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Quinn replied as she glanced at Jake, Marley, and Ruth. "Thank you all for being here."

"We're all so proud of you." Puck told Quinn.

"Yeah, and this might be my only opportunity to see someone in the family graduate college." Ruth added. "Congrats, Quinn."

"Thank you."