I am proud to announce that one of my closest students, Lona Tehrani, graduated today Magna Cum Laude from Brown University.

Lona and I have become very good friends over these past five years since we met when she was a senior in high school. We’ve spent lots of hours together on college entrance essays and then on some very tough English essays. I have learned a lot from that time together, and also have had the pleasure of getting to know Lona very well.

If ever there was a young woman who deserves that Magna Cum Laude distinction, it is Lona. I’ve never met a student who was more willing to put the time and effort into her studies than Lona. She is not only extremely bright but also diligent, focused and tenacious. I know she’ll succeed at anything she decides to do because she has developed such discipline in her approach to learning.

I have a few students who become more than students to me. They become friends who stay in my life long after our “official” time together ends. Lona is in this category. Through writing together, we have developed a sense of camaraderie, a deep affection, along with a shared love for literature. We have laughed a lot, shed a few tears and developed a connection that moves beyond teacher and student. We are buddies.

I am so proud of this young woman I could dance a jig. Her success comes from hard work, keeping her head above water during a few tough times, and mustering pure determination to reach her goal of graduating from her dream school even during a pandemic.

Congratulations, my dear, on this wonderful accomplishment. The world is a better place with you in it. I know you’ll bring your sensitivity and kindness wherever you go, along with your great sense of humor and warm smile.

Much love to you. Hooray!