Here Comes the Bride… and Graduate Dix Hills Native to Marry on Saturday,
May 8 and Graduate from C.W. Post the Next Day, May 9

Pamela Silver will walk up the aisle twice next weekend: first on Saturday, May 8 to marry long-time boyfriend Damon Boodram, and then — just one day later — to accept her degree in the 46th commencement exercises at the C.W Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y. on Sunday, May 9.

"Everybody thinks I’m absolutely crazy," admits the 23-year-old Dix Hills native, of her back-to-back walks. "But May 8 was the only day the hall we wanted was avail-able, and I refuse to miss walking in the graduation ceremony. It’s very important to me."

Participating in the graduation ceremony took on increasing importance as Silver earned A after A in her journey toward a master’s degree in school counseling. After posting a "so-so" academic record in her undergraduate studies at the University of Buffalo, Silver was initially turned down by C.W. Post. But she was determined to attend the school because of the accolades it received from her former counselors at Half Hollow Hills East High School. So, she appealed the decision and gained admission.

While the graduation will be decidedly traditional, the wedding will be unique. The interfaith ceremony will feature aspects of Silver’s Jewish traditions and Boodram’s Roman Catholic upbringing. During the reception at Riviera in Massapequa, Silver, who was adopted from Columbia, will celebrate the Latino culture she discovered in college, along with Boodram’s Dominican and Guyanese heritages. The couple will even bring in a few West Indian traditions for extended family members of West Indian descent. The music mix will be eclectic with American, Caribbean, Spanish and Indian songs on the play list; guests will enjoy the Marengo, Salsa and other favorites.

"We’re going to be one, big, happy family," says Silver, whose new husband will be in the crowd on May 9, cheering on his bride. It will be easy to pick her out from the sea of robed graduates–she’ll be the one with the bridal veil attached to the back of her graduation cap.

Silver will be one of more than 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.