One-of-a-kind grad designs

In a sea of Carolina blue on the Dean Smith Center floor during Winter Commencement, several graduating Tar Heels stood out a little bit more because of the extra flair they had added to the top of their caps.

The personal touches, from bedazzled inspirational messages to colorful artwork, added special meaning to their graduation attire.

Take a look at some of the one-of-a-kind designs and learn from the graduates why they decorated their caps the way they did.

“I feel like I left my mark on this campus. I was involved in cheerleading, I worked in the Allied Health Sciences department and I was very close with my exercise and sport science professors, so I felt like that was something I wanted to resemble on graduation day.”
Madison Campbell, exercise and sports science

“I love Britney Spears, plus it fit conveniently because this is my second degree, so ‘I did it again.'”
Trista Wilson, Master of Nursing

“I decorated it to pay homage to the birthplace of my parents and grandparents — the country of Guyana — and also to pay homage to my faith of Hinduism by depicting the Hindu goddess of learning on top of the flag.”
Dhanesh Budhram,biology

“I’ve always gone by this quote. It’s a real inspiration to me to keep fighting. Just believing in myself gave me the confidence to finish.”
Kayla Prince, psychology

“I decided to decorate it with the baby picture of me because it’s a reflection of how happy I was when I was younger, and this is another happy moment for me. The quote from Angela Bassett says ‘Don’t settle for average.’ It’s just what I’ve been living by since I’ve been at Carolina. I’m going to continue with that same message after graduation.”
Deja Parker, sport administration

“I hope with my Carolina education, and all of the advocacy work that I did on campus, I can continue to change the world for the better in the future.”
Grace Langley, psychology and sociology