Creative Cap Contest Winners!

"In January of 2020, after finishing my first semester at UB, I was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. After two years of treatment and a life-saving left above the knee amputation, I am graduating Magna Cum Laude in Psychology and Health and Human Services to hopefully work in the hospital that saved my life! I am so thankful to be alive today and be able to walk across the UB Grad stage!" - Kara Scrubis, Best in Show.

Published May 25, 2023

Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions for our Trick Out Your Tassel Cap Design Contest for the #UBClassOf2023!

The Best of the Creative Caps

The Office of Alumni Engagement congratulates all winners of the 2023 Trick Our Your Tassel Contest! Over 80 entries were considered, and Recent Alumni Leaders along with Future Alumni Network volunteers enjoyed seeing all the creativity, imagination, and heart put into each design and description. Congratulations on all your accomplishments and welcome to the UB Alumni Network!

Best In Show

Winners

1st Place - Kara Skrubis

"In January of 2020, after finishing my first semester at UB, I was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. After two years of treatment and a life-saving left above the knee amputation, I am graduating Magna Cum Laude in Psychology and Health and Human Services to hopefully work in the hospital that saved my life! I am so thankful to be alive today and be able to walk across the UB Grad stage!" - Kara Scrubis, Best in Show.

About This Cap: In January of 2020, after finishing my first semester at UB, I was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. After two years of treatment and a life-saving left above the knee amputation, I am graduating Magna Cum Laude in Psychology and Health and Human Services to hopefully work in the hospital that saved my life! I am so thankful to be alive today and be able to walk across the UB Grad stage!

2nd Place - Ayesha Javed

"Graduating from the accelerated nursing program at UB is one of the greatest achievements of my life! I wanted to showcase how prepared and excited I feel to help my future patients by assuring them they "RN" good hands!" - Ayesha Javed, Runner Up, Best in Show Category.

About This Cap: Graduating from the accelerated nursing program at UB is one of the greatest achievements of my life! I wanted to showcase how prepared and excited I feel to help my future patients by assuring them they "RN" good hands! 

Best Display of UB True Blue

Winners

1st Place - DeAnna Scott

"I came up with this cap design, because I wanted something that enCAPsulated my experience here at UB. My goal was to reflect upon all of the ups and downs of my undergraduate years, and boil everything down into a few words. The words “Thank You” attached to the interlocking “UB” symbol was created by me in order to keep my point short and sweet; that point being that ultimately, I am beyond thankful for the lifetime worth of memories, opportunities, friends, and family that I’ve made these past 4 years. Thank You UB!" -DeAnna Scott, 1st Place, True Blue Category.

About This Cap: I came up with this cap design, because I wanted something that enCAPsulated my experience here at UB. My goal was to reflect upon all of the ups and downs of my undergraduate years, and boil everything down into a few words. The words “Thank You” attached to the interlocking “UB” symbol was created by me in order to keep my point short and sweet; that point being that ultimately, I am beyond thankful for the lifetime worth of memories, opportunities, friends, and family that I’ve made these past 4 years. Thank You UB! 

2nd Place - Vivian Tsuei

"I have been a UB student since 2016 for Undergraduate, my Masters in School Counseling, and now currently finishing up my Advanced Certificate. I have been a proud UB student for 8 years now while receiving my education. I will be using my cap made for commencement last year to wear in this year's commencement as well! I did not apply for this contest last year, but I am this year and want to reiterate that I am also participating in commencement this year. UB has used photos of my cap last year but I wish I entered the contest last year." - Vivian Tsuei, 2nd Place, True Blue Category.

About This Cap: I have been a UB student since 2016 for Undergraduate, my Masters in School Counseling, and now currently finishing up my Advanced Certificate. I have been a proud UB student for 8 years now while receiving my education. I will be using my cap made for commencement last year to wear in this year's commencement as well! I did not apply for this contest last year, but I am this year and want to reiterate that I am also participating in commencement this year. UB has used photos of my cap last year but I wish I entered the contest last year.

Most Creative

Winners

1st Place - Erika Rizzo

"I used paint markers, colored pencil, paint, and gems to decorate my cap and showcase my passion for chemistry!" - Erika Rizzo, 1st Place, Creative Category.

About This Cap: I used paint markers, colored pencil, paint, and gems to decorate my cap and showcase my passion for chemistry!

2nd Place - Fatima Mohammed

"Mulan, a Disney film, served as the inspiration for my cap. She inspires a whole generation of young women to pursue their goals despite obstacles. She encourages us to face challenges head-on and accomplish our goals, even when it requires some trial and error." Fatima Mohammed, 2nd Place, Creative Category.

About This Cap: Mulan, a Disney film, served as the inspiration for my cap. She inspires a whole generation of young women to pursue their goals despite obstacles. She encourages us to face challenges head-on and accomplish our goals, even when it requires some trial and error.

Most Humorous

Winners

1st Place - Miranda Fiore

"I made all of the flowers with my Cricut as well as cut SpongeBob out. I colored the outline of each flower with a marker. This is a play on me not graduation 'on time' but there is no definitive time to get your degree!" - Miranda Fiore, 1st Place, Humorous Category.

About This Cap: I made all of the flowers with my Cricut as well as cut SpongeBob out. I colored the outline of each flower with a marker. This is a play on me not graduation 'on time' but there is no definitive time to get your degree!

2nd Place - Kartik Deshmukh

"Introducing the masterpiece of graduation fashion humor: behold, the cap that screams extravagance! Adorned with the witty quote "The most expensive cap I will ever own," this design is a hilarious homage to the monumental achievement of graduating. It's an artistic blend of irony and truth, highlighting the exorbitant cost of education while proudly donning a cap that's worth its weight in laughs. It's a sartorial statement that says, "I may be broke, but I'm graduating in style!" Kartik Deshmukh, 2nd Place, Humorous Category.

About This Cap: Introducing the masterpiece of graduation fashion humor: behold, the cap that screams extravagance! Adorned with the witty quote "The most expensive cap I will ever own," this design is a hilarious homage to the monumental achievement of graduating. It's an artistic blend of irony and truth, highlighting the exorbitant cost of education while proudly donning a cap that's worth its weight in laughs. It's a sartorial statement that says, "I may be broke, but I'm graduating in style!"

Most Inspiring

Winners

1st Place - Yannie Diaz Ruiz

"As a first gen immigrant is important for me since I started college to remind myself where I came from. My identity is important for me and that’s why I decided to do this cap about. Thinking how my Dominican culture and also the American culture and how as an immigrant I fall in between. The buildings and the Statue of Liberty represent NYC where I first arrived 6 years ago, the beaches represent the warmth of the beaches of my home country and the gold path represents me after graduating. I’m going to be moving to a new state to start my new job. The Spanish quote that says “volaré alto sin olvidar de donde vengo” means on English “I will fly high without forgetting where I came from." - Yannie Diaz Ruiz, 1st Place, Inspiring Category.

About This Cap: As a first gen immigrant is important for me since I started college to remind myself where I came from. My identity is important for me and that’s why I decided to do this cap about. Thinking how my Dominican culture and also the American culture and how as an immigrant I fall in between. The buildings and the Statue of Liberty represent NYC where I first arrived 6 years ago, the beaches represent the warmth of the beaches of my home country and the gold path represents me after graduating. I’m going to be moving to a new state to start my new job. The Spanish quote that says “volaré alto sin olvidar de donde vengo” means on English “I will fly high without forgetting where I came from”.

2nd Place - Kristy Forpahl

"My cap design was inspired by my children, Peter (age 13) and Holly (age 10). They have watched their mom navigate the challenges of returning to college. All of the hard work and sacrifice culminates in the moment as I get to walk across the stage as a college graduate. I love being at the beach so it seems only natural to walk the stage in my flip flops. My cap not represents a major accomplishment in my life, it also represents some of the things I hold closest to my heart…my children and our family vacations at the beach." - Kristy Forpahl, 2nd Place, Inspiring Category.

About This Cap: My cap design was inspired by my children, Peter (age 13) and Holly (age 10). They have watched their mom navigate the challenges of returning to college. All of the hard work and sacrifice culminates in the moment as I get to walk across the stage as a college graduate. I love being at the beach so it seems only natural to walk the stage in my flip flops. My cap not represents a major accomplishment in my life, it also represents some of the things I hold closest to my heart…my children and our family vacations at the beach. 

For more services and opportunities like this:

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Phone: 800-284-5382

Email: ub-alumni@buffalo.edu