Happy Couple to Graduate from C.W. Post Together on Mother’s Day, May 9

When husband and wife Stephen and Kelly Parra accept their master’s degrees from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University on May 9, the couple will take their second trip up the aisle in two years. They married in June 2002, after both had earned bachelor of fine arts degrees in music education from C.W. Post — Stephen in 1999 and Kelly in 2002.

This time around, Stephen, 27, will earn a master of arts degree in Music Theory and Composition, while Kelly, 25, will receive a master of arts in Music History and Literature. And both will perform at the commencement exercises. Stephen will sing in the Community Chorus, as he did at Kelly’s undergraduate graduation, and Kelly will perform on the clarinet in the Symphonic Band.

Music, says Kelly, has been a unifying force in their relationship. "It’s easy to relate to each other because we know what we have to go through," says Kelly. "We know about rehearsing and we know about theory, so we really bounce things off each other. I’m really good in history, and my husband is really good in theory — the two major components of music. If he needs something in history I help him. If I need help in theory he helps me. So, it really works well."

Stephen now works as a social studies teacher at a Catholic school in the Bronx, and Kelly works as a substitute teacher in the Middle Country School District. Both are looking for permanent positions as music teachers on Long Island, where the two Port Jefferson Station residents plan to make their home.

As for completing their studies at C.W. Post, Kelly says they have mixed feelings. "I loved Post, and I’m thrilled that we’ve both completed our master’s degrees," she said about a week before graduation. "I had my last class last night and at the end of the class I was crying. I’ve made a lot of very good friends at C.W. Post and I have totally enjoyed my experience there. The professors are just fantastic." And best of all, she got to take several graduate courses with the love of her life.

Kelly and Stephen Parra will be among more that 2,500 students who will don their caps and gowns on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, 2004 for the 46th annual commencement exercises of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The campus has awarded more than 88,000 degrees in its 50-year history, through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs.