Graduate Khalia Adams smiles and walks up the aisle after the ceremony.

Congratulations class of 2017

On May 5, 43 students received their degrees from Penn State Beaver and got a little advice from Penn State alum Mia Aquino, who told them "Use your voice. Be heard."

"Use your voice. Be heard."

That was the advice commencement speaker and Penn State alum Mia Aquino gave the departing class of 2017.

Forty-three students participated in the Penn State Beaver commencement ceremony on Friday, May 5, receiving degrees in administration of justice, business, communications, information sciences and technology, and psychology.

Aquino, a social and digital media strategist, found her own voice while working for major news and entertainment companies, including CNN, Huffington Post, Fusion and VHI.

"The world is a noisy place," Aquino told the graduates. "There will be a temptation to draw back, let others lead, let others dominate. You will doubt yourself. When you hear that voice inside, that voice that doesn't quite sound like you, and it is telling you just to give up. Don't listen to that voice."