Northern Bedford Grad to Speak at College Commencement

Northern Bedford alum Rachel Mickle – who spoke at her high school graduation – was chosen to be a student speaker at the Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) commencement on Saturday, May 15.

ACM students with a 3.75 or higher GPA were invited to audition to speak. The student speakers were selected by the college's Commencement Committee. Their speeches were professionally recorded by college faculty. The recordings will be played during commencement, which will be like a live stream.

Mickle graduated from Northern Bedford in 2018.

"I've lived in the area my entire life," said Mickle.

Born in New Enterprise, Mickle moved to Woodbury in middle school. It was important to her that when she went to college, she could still visit her family and have their support. Mickle was able to visit home as much as she wanted, especially since she continued working at Traditions.

After taking a gap year, she enrolled at ACM after family suggested that the multimedia technology program might help her grow her creative talents.

"I always knew I would do something creative," said Mickle. "I'm a visual learner. I knew I'd end up doing something hands-on."

With interests in photography, video production and graphic design, Mickle was hooked immediately on the multimedia technology major.

During her time at ACM, Mickle became an active member of the Omicron Pi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, appeared on the Dean's List and was an ACM Foundation scholarships recipient.

She was elected the 2020-2021 Maryland/DC president for the Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Region.

"Being in a leadership position really helped me with public speaking and connecting with people and the community," said Mickle.

Mickle's commencement speech will discuss how stepping back from a situation or a project can offer a different (and sometimes better) perspective.

"It's something I learned in a design class," said Mickle. "Artists will work so closely on one part, they forget to step back and look at the bigger picture."

Mickle stresses that this advice isn't just for people in the creative field. She wanted to present an idea that would resonate with all audiences.

"I really wanted to make it meaningful," said Mickle.

In the fall, Mickle will transfer to Stevenson University, located in Maryland about 30 minutes from Baltimore, to major in graphic design.

Mickle hopes to pursue a career in graphic design, hopefully with a nonprofit. She is passionate about nutrition – particularly, teaching kids about nutrition – so she would like to incorporate that into her future if she can.