Ella Kostecki graduate

ELLA GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!

After four years at the University of Tennessee she’s done it!  Ella graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree!  I  would have preferred more pomp and less circumstance though!  Due to COVID-19 Ella’s commencement ceremony on May 9 was cancelled.  So bummed.  Instead of being in Knoxville, Tennessee to watch Ella walk across the stage at Thompson Bowling Arena, we had to stay home and social distance ourselves.  To keep my mind off what “should have been” that day,  I knocked out a DIY project that involved some destruction.  Tearing something apart (in this case a kitchen shelf) definitely helped with my bad mood that day!  Although I did not get to watch our graduate physically walk the stage and receive her diploma, I am no less unbelievably proud of her and her accomplishments.  The party and celebrations with friends and family will still happen, just postponed until it’s safe to celebrate together.  

Ella Kostecki
Ella in front of Neyland Stadium
Ella and the Knoxville Sun Sphere
Ella graduation
The commencement invites are unmailed due to COVID-19 cancelling Ella's commencement exercises

From Start to Finish

Summer of 2015 Ella and I took a road trip to check out several college campuses.  We toured University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee and University of Georgia that week.  Ella absolutely loved Athens, GA and by the time the week wrapped up I thought for sure she was destined to be a Bulldog.  However, I was wrong and she decided to go to UT and be a Volunteer instead!  Go Vols!  Fast forward four super quick years later (like really, where does the time go?)  Ella made many trips to and from class on UT’s “Ped Walkway” (the main drag through campus).  Each time making sure to avoid stepping on the big seal (tradition states any underclassman that walks on the seal will not graduate on time).  Well she did it!  Avoided that seal and graduated on time.  OK, sure…there was some hard work and studying involved too but tradition is tradition!  Now as an alumna of UT she has the privilege of walking all over the seal!  As you can see below, she is enjoying her privileges!     

Univ of TN
Ella's 1st time at UT for her campus visit and tour the summer 2016
Univ of TN walking on seal
As a graduate she can now walk on the seal without fear of the curse!
Dorm Room
Ella moving into her dorm room in Hess Hall (Fr.)
first apartment
Ella settling into her off campus apartment at Evolve (Soph.)
Ella Kostecki
Ella in her apartment on Laurel Ave. in The Fort (Jr./Sr.)

Five In A Row

Ella’s graduation this spring makes it five in a row for the Kostecki-Kraus family!  With our four kids being back to back to back to back in age we have graduated a kid every year since since 2016!  The last four years were high school graduations and this year marks the first of the next round of graduations of our kids from college!  Hayden is a rising Senior (Sewanee University of the South), Jenna is a rising junior (Wilmington and JCTC) and libby is a rising Sophmore (Ball State University).  

college flags
Our four college kids! Pictured here as a freshman, sophmore, junior and senior.

What the Future Holds

Ella is staying in Tennessee to continue her education.  She has been accepted with scholarship to attend LMU Duncan School of Law in Knoxville this fall.  Ella plans to continue working at Gavino’s Italian Restaurant through law school where she has been a waitress since her Sophomore year at UT.  This past winter Ella made her first adult purchase and bought herself a new (2017) car!  She decided on a very sensible and reliable sedan, the Honda Accord.  Ella also has a supportive (mom approved) boyfriend Matt who lives and works in Johnson City, TN.  They recently bought a puppy “Hank” together.  He keeps them very busy!      

Ella at Gavinos
Ella is a waitress at Gavino's Restaurant
Ella Kostecki Honda Accord
Ella's first big purchase! Adulting!
Ella is attending law school this fall
ella kostecki
Ella, Matt and their fur baby Hank

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS Ella!  I LOVE YOU and am SO VERY PROUD of you and the young woman you have matured into.  You continue to impress me with your hard work ethic, motivation to succeed and determination to be independent and responsible.  You have much to be proud of and even more to look forward to in your future.  Congratulations kiddo!  You did it!  Onward and upward!  XOXO

Ella Kostecki UT Knoxville
Ella sits on the "T" as a new alumna of UT
Ella Kostecki UT Knoxville
Ella as a graduate of the University of Tennessee

1 thought on “ELLA GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!”

  1. Wow! So exciting for you all! Seems like yesterday, she was just a tiny baby!! Congrats on law school! Sophie is headed in that direction too! They could start a law firm and we could run the office! Lol. You must be such a proud mama! congratulations and best of luck! 💖

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