As we countdown to 2023 Commencement, we are celebrating all of our seniors. Whether they are planning to start their careers or to pursue graduate studies, whether they will be staying in Worcester or going further afield, we wish them the very best in the next stage of their life. Get to know a few members of the Class of 2023 below!

Kevin Drevitch

What is your hometown? Oxford, NJ

What is your major? Communication, minor in data science

What was the best part of your Worcester State experience? My best experience at Worcester State was playing hockey and hanging out with friends on and off campus.

How does it feel to be graduating from college? I enjoyed my time at Worcester State, but I am definitely ready to be done with my undergrad.

What’s next for you? I am beginning the MIT Professional Education Applied Data Science Program. I am also looking to begin my career in data science.

Kessa Vilnaigre

What is your hometown? Brockton, Mass., the hometown of boxing champion Rocky Marciano

What is your major? I am obtaining my bachelor’s in nursing.

What was the best part of your Worcester State experience? The best part of my Worcester State experience was being a residential assistant. I loved the community I built with my residents.

How does it feel to be graduating from college? Surreal. It has been a long and eventful journey, but I am ready for the next chapter.

What’s next for you? I am looking to be a medical-surgical nurse for the first few years of my career. Then, finding an enjoyable hobby and eventually heading back to school to obtain my nurse practitioner license.

Tayla Weeden

What is your hometown? Worcester, Mass.

What is your major? I double majored in public health and sociology.

What was the best part of your Worcester State experience? The best part of my Worcester State experience was definitely the Office of Multicultural Affairs. This office introduced and guided me to so many opportunities both on and off campus, along with exposing me to some of the most inspirational, hard working, and talented people I’ve ever met. Thanks to OMA, I’m not only going to graduate debt free, but I am also graduating with endless knowledge and experiences that I couldn’t have learned in a classroom setting.

How does it feel to be graduating from college? It feels refreshing to graduate college. I won’t lie, it is overwhelming and I’ll miss my peers and professors, but with that said, all good things eventually come to an end and I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life.

What’s next for you? I am attending Simmons University in the fall. There I will be working toward receiving my master’s degree in nursing so that I can become a family nurse practitioner. My goal is to work in pediatric or geriatric oncology.

Katherine Dardinski

What is your hometown? Mansfield, Mass.

What is your major? Communication sciences and disorders

What was the best part of your Worcester State experience? Getting to meet so many new people and meeting some of my lifelong friends! Worcester truly is a flourishing area with so many opportunities both in and around the city, so it has been a lot of fun finding new things to do.

How does it feel to be graduating from college? It is definitely bittersweet! The city of Worcester forever has a special place in my heart because of all of the memories I have made here these past four years. It will be sad not being able to see my friends every day, but luckily for me I will be coming back for graduate school so I will not be away from the city for too long.

What’s next for you? I am proud to say that I will be returning to Worcester State for graduate school, where I will be pursuing my master’s degree in speech-language pathology!

Kimberly-Ann Lang

What is your hometown? Marlborough, Mass.

What is your major? Nursing with a minor in communication

What was the best part of your Worcester State experience? Meeting some of my best friends and becoming the president of CAB.

How does it feel to be graduating from college? Honestly, I was not expecting it to come so quickly. I am glad to finally be done but sad to leave my friends and community behind.

What’s next for you? I plan to become an ICU nurse. Where? Still figuring it out!