Nicole Stankovic started learning piano
when she was just six.
By 16,
she was winning
international competitions and performing
in Carnegie Hall.
A self-described introvert,
it was piano that set her free.
When I play,
it really just expresses how I feel
at the moment.
Sometimes I don't even know
how I'm feeling until I perform
Nicole was thrilled
when legendary pianist
Dr. Robin McCabe
accepted her
into the University
of Washington's music program.
By late 2019,
Nicole was preparing
for the most consequential performance
of her life:
Her senior recital
This is the bulletin board
that students hang up posters
just advertising their upcoming
recitals. Around March of 2020.
I started seeing them get canceled,
and so I kind of had a feeling
that mine would be canceled, too.
And it was.
Then the in-person graduation
at Husky Stadium was scrapped.
It's bittersweet.
Pomp and Circumstance
is one of those pieces
where when you hear it,
you're kind of
saying goodbye to something.
But also saying hello to the future.
But that future had
just become a big question mark.
So Nicole flew
home to Park City, Utah, where
she'd grown up.
She performed that senior recital
in her parent's living room.
The family took photos,
watched U-dub's virtual commencement
and tuned in for the piano department's
grand finale.
Which just didn't feel so grand
on a computer screen.
I think it was better than nothing,
but still a little disappointing.
Once back in Seattle
craving connection, Nicole began teaching
piano full time.
You get that sticker.
And through hours of reflection,
Nicole discovered
the pandemic didn't so much
stop her in her tracks.
It sent her in a new direction.
I'm going
to do a master's in piano performance
as well as a master's in public health.
A million people died in
just our country alone
and it really showed
the weaknesses of our system.
But first,
Nicole and her friend
Jessica have something important to do.
What kind of dress do you want to get?
I don't know.
The Udub is holding
a special commencement ceremony
for the classes of 2020 and 2021.
I don't want to miss out on this,
and I want to give my parents
the appreciation that they deserve
and the moment that they deserve.
After two years,
I realized how much I wanted them here
As immigrants.
Her parents need this moment
just as much as Nicole,
who's now
the first in the family
to earn a college degree.
But COVID isn't finished wreaking havoc.
Hi. You on the way to the airport?
Oh, you're wearing purple.
That's our school color.
Nicole's mother owns
a busy Chinese restaurant in Park City.
That's short staffed.
So the family booked an evening flight
the night before the graduation.
They got to the airport last night,
and their flight got canceled.
Were there any tears there?
There were for me.
My mom was just angry.
The best they can do
is standby for a 5:30 a.m.
flight, which will still get them
to Seattle in plenty of time.
But that plane is overbooked.
I immediately got on the phone
to try and see if, you know,
we could get them another flight.
OK, so they will make it
Hey, so exciting.
We're going to see Koko!
So you guys went over there.
Are you all class of 2021?
2020 is this side.
We're with Jessica's mom right now.
4 a.m. in Taiwan.
As the returning graduates
start to enter the stadium, Nicole
finally has good news.
They're on a plane.
It's a two hour flight.
If they arrive early and commencement
starts late, they could still make it
Now, entering the stadium
are the bachelors
Nicole is missing her family
feeling far more emotional
than she anticipated.
2020 feels light years away from today.
And I realize that,
you know,
I actually cared
a lot more than I thought.
Hello.
Graduates of the class of 2020
and 2021.
It's so good to finally be here
in Husky Stadium.
Graduation
ceremonies are notorious
for moving slowly.
If time is on Nicole's side.
This one will go really, really slowly.
There are a few lessons
one learns as a dean.
One is not to be long winded
as master students begin
walking up to accept diplomas.
Nichols family is entering Oregon.
52 minutes to arrival
now.
The turning of the castle.
On the count of three.
One, two, three.
Nicole is keeping tabs on her phone
as bachelor students start to walk.
Only 14 minutes left in the flight.
But in a cruel twist of fate, as Nicole
finally takes her iconic walk,
her parents are over the stadium.
Not in it.
They tried their best for sure.
And, you know, I'm
just I'm glad
that they still decided to come
After two years of waiting,
all Nicole needed was another 40 minutes.
But time was never on her side.
Where are you guys?
Oh, no, I think I see them.
That's them.
It's been an unforgettable day of twists
and turns and bitter disappointments.
Jessica! But Nicole and her family find
joy in the simplest way
by being together.
It's me.
Hey. Hey.
Hi!
It no longer matters
they missed the entire ceremony.
Life is about stories.
We made it! I made it!
This one will be told for years to come.
I told you over the phone,
I say, like, look, we try
we try, we try.
We will be there one way or another.
Even this morning,
we had no chance of getting on the airplane.
And I say, we've got to go.
It definitely gives me
a sense of closure.
Oh, I'm so happy right now.
Yeah, this is all I really wanted
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