LEBANON, Maine — Instead of the usual graduation parties and ceremonies, some daring seniors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology chose to mark their milestone by jumping out of planes at Skydive New England in Lebanon, Maine.
This marks the second year MIT graduates have chosen skydiving to celebrate finishing their studies. Over three days, a total of 146 students made the leap, according to Skydive New England organizers.
“We’re nerds, so we gotta get out and jump off a plane every once in a while,” said MIT student Robbie Khazan.
Early Wednesday morning, 30 students traveled from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Lebanon. Despite having only a few hours of sleep, excitement filled the air.
“I feel super pumped, I’m on like two hours of sleep, been up since 4 a.m., but it feels like I’m so well rested because I’m so excited,” said Maya Makarovsky.
With classes over and graduation approaching, these busy students wanted to celebrate in a memorable way.
“I always wanted to go skydiving. MIT schedule does not permit that most of the time,” said Jennifer Mallah.
Before the jump, many felt nervous.
“I have never been more scared in my entire life,” Khazan admitted.
But the fear didn’t stop them. Soon, they soared through the sky and took their leap of faith.
“It was beautiful, amazing, best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Mallah said.
Makarovsky, who had skydived once before, said this experience was even better.
“Tears of pure joy, pure excitement,” she said after landing. “The excitement of graduation and everything, being here with friends is just awesome.”
Coming back to earth, Khazan reflected, “That was insane, it just supersedes all expectations.”
For Mallah, skydiving was a long-held dream checked off her bucket list.
“I finally got to do it, and it’s a nice thing to commemorate the turning of the page,” she said.
After their big leap, students said the experience helped prepare them for what lies ahead.
“Graduating is like opening that door, looking out, and thinking ‘oh my god, I can see, and I don’t know what it’s gonna be like, and who knows?’ This taught me to just do it with rock signs, going out screaming,” Khazan said. “I’m looking forward to graduation and all that it has.”