iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I'm gonna walk across that stage in 24 days, have them call my name, and know that everything that I sacrificed, that my family sacrificed, was truly worth it. Like the caption I will have on my cap says, "Promises made, promises kept. Grandmas, I did it!"

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

All the hard work. The blood, the sweat, the tears, and its finally here. I kept my promise to the two women who mean the most in the world to me, my grandmothers, who were both teachers themselves, and my inspiration for taking the leap of faith to change careers well into my 40s.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My cap and gown came in the mail this past Friday. As it gets closer to the actual day I look back and I am still kinda thinking its just a dream. I actually did it. I got my degree at 49 years old. I'm going to be a credentialed teacher this year.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

whurd2008@gmail.comDesk is set up, classroom is ready. Agenda is set, and we are ready to go! Tomorrow is the first day of school, and I am ready for it! Now you know I was gonna have some Star Wars stuff at my desk, but I was good, I didn't overdo it 😁

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

GCU College of Education Tassel KDP Tassel NSCS Tassel Magna Cum Laude Honors (3.63 GPA) GCU Cap & Gown (Which I am going to decorate) 69 days and counting guys!

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

National Society of Collegiate Scholars Sash KDP Graduation Sash Kente Cloth Black Excellence/Class of 2026 Sash Graduation Medal from KDP Graduation Medal from NSCS Honor Cord from KDP Honor Cord from NSCS

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Still have to get my regalia from Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) and of course my cap and gown (still waiting for the email from GCU on that), and my graduation regalia will be completed. So when I walk In October I will have: Light Blue Sash (GCU College of Education)

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Well 2 of my graduation sashes are in, along with the honor cord, medal, and tassel from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS).

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I did it, Grandma. I'm gonna be a teacher. I miss you, My Favorite Lady.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

This is bittersweet, because I got this notification today, and it's 4 years ago today my Grandma passed. I promised her that I would not stop until I became a teacher like she was, and I kept my promise. As happy as I am, the one person I wanted to be here for this day more than anything was her.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The down side is that I only get 6 tickets so I won't be able to bring you all with me, but they will stream the ceremony online and I will be sharing that link as soon as I get it. I'll keep you all posted on any updates as I get them!

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Either way, I am graduating Magna Cum Laude and will be graduating with recognition from both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Anywho, I will be heading down to Phoenix to participate in this ceremony, although technically I won't be finished with my Student Teaching until the end of the school semester in December.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Update on the graduation news guys! I was informed by my counselors at the school that for online students the graduation ceremony will be Wednesday October 14, 2026. The December graduation is for students that attend campus. I initially thought I could choose which one to attend.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Well, it's official. I got the call from GCU. I start my student teaching in August and I graduate this December. All my hard work has paid off, & I'll be graduating Magna Cum Laude. I'll update y'all with the info as I get closer to my graduation. #Almostdone #Ikeptmypromise #Teacherlifeloading

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

I'll be teaching high school Math, but I'll be credentialed to teach any grade from TK - 12. I'm currently teaching after-school elementary, and I love it, so I may teach elementary after I complete my obligatory 4 years of secondary school (junior high and high school) at some point.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

This one caught me by surprise, as I will not be graduationg for another year (December 2026). I still think it's pretty cool that I was recognized and commended for my achievement though

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

The other good news I have to share is yesterday I received a package from Kappa Delta Pi, the honor society that I am a member of. Inside the package was a graduation cord and a signed congratulatory card from the CXO of the organization.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

I submitted the confirmation and will be receiving an official letter from the school shortly. Once I complete my student teaching next fall my final GPA will be 3.63, which qualifies me for Magna Cum Laude designation on my diploma come graduation.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Hey guys, it's been a minute since I've posted, but I have good news to share. About a week or so ago, I received an email from my counselor informing me that I have made the Dean's List for the 2025-2026 academic year with a GPA of 3.58.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Thank you to everyone that has been in my corner, offered words of support and encouragement, and have just been there with me every step of the way. I love you all, and I can't thank you guys enough for everything you have done to keep me motivated and everything.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

This has been a long and hard journey, but throughout everything, I persevered and made it through. I'm going to be credentialed and realize my goal of becoming an educator.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

According to the criteria for Grand Canyon University, I will be graduating with Magna Cum Laude designation on my diploma.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

The only thing I have left to complete after this will be my 4 months of student teaching, which I will be completing August of 2026, after I have completed that, my final GPA will be 3.61.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Well folks, I wanted to keep this under wraps until I was absolutely sure, but now that it is confirmed, I can share. This week is the final week for my classroom work in my degree program. I will be receiving an A in this class.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

I corrected that situation quickly. That was an unacceptable post from OP. Not cool at all.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Hanging in there, down to my last 5 classes before I begin my student teaching. I graduate next Spring

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

I am almost 50 years old. I have neither the time nor the patience to explain to anybody why I deserve to be treated like I matter. Regardless of anybody else, I matter to ME, and if that is the only person on this planet that I matter to, I can live with that just fine.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

If that means to others that I am being difficult, stubborn, whatever, instead of asking yourselves why I am doing the things I need to do to protect my peace, why not ask what occurred prior that caused me to make those decisions in the first place.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

As I've gotten older I have come to the realization that protecting my peace is more important to me than EVERYTHING. I am not about to run up my blood pressure and affect my health (physical and mental) in a negative way just to pretend to be happy, or make anyone else happy.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Yep once you start disrespecting, especially on national television, it's mandatory that you see these hands. Nothing else can happen until hands have been thrown.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

If I were President Zelensky both Vance and the felon would have definitely seem these hands, on national television. They would've gotten and old fashioned Southern ass whooping. With a few two piece combos as interest.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

I would have been throwing hands in the Oval Office today had that been me. President Zelensky is a much better person than me.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

This Marine stands with Ukraine, not Putin's bitch residing in the White House.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

As a former serviceman, I am disgusted and ashamed beyond all know words. Today the felon occupying the WH & his craven VP let the entire world know, live and in living color, that the US is now Putin's bitch. If you are okay with this, never call yourself a patriot ever again.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

The more and more the DNC keeps pandering to young white folks who know nothing of the struggle or of the wisdom that us older Black folk have, the sooner they are gonna find out that they can do absolutely nothing without Black people's support.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

So once again Black folk were ignored when we told you not to trust him. One of these days y'all gonna learn. I just hope that it's before Black folk collectively say "fuck it" and let y'all figure it out yourselves.

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🪷Thee Black Mandalorian🪷 @whurd559.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Regardless of what they were at the Capitol for (and yes, I know why they were there), they could have easily said no to this picture. Nobody was forcing them to be a part of the MAGA photo op. I'm disgusted. They of all people should know better.

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