It's that time of year again when a new batch of college and high school graduates are welcomed to the "real world." Every year graduates decorate their caps to celebrate (or to make it easier to be spotted in the crowd) all they've achieved.
Some choose motivational mottos, inspiring quotes and artistic expressions of their pride. When faced with difficult tests and papers, inspiration to get through to graduation can come in the most unlikely of places, and across the country, students turned to the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history to get them through.
When the Patriots came back from a 25-point deficit, it resonated with many, reminding them about the power of never giving up. So it's no surprise that graduation caps on college campuses and in high school auditoriums paid tribute to the epic comeback.
For one student who graduated from Fordham University in New York City, being a fan of the Patriots put him on the receiving end of a lot of grief from friends. So watching the team walk away with the Lombardi trophy after a nerve-racking game was a special day for him.
"I took inspiration in the Patriots victory, as Tom Brady, Coach Belichick, and the rest of the team overcame every obstacle in their way to become world champions," said Matthew Kelly. "When asked by a school photographer why I chose a Super Bowl LI theme for my cap, I responded, 'Because this game taught me that anything is possible, no matter how down and out you may be.'"
For another graduate, making that message clear was a major part of her cap design. Farrah Fontano designed her mortarboard out of felt and "thickers" or individual scrapbooking alphabet stickers, to spell out "Anything is Possible."
That wasn't the only inspirational message that floated around. Max Cerci, a graduate of Hofstra University on Long Island, channeled Han Solo along with the Super Bowl scoreboard. Max, who studied in theater knows that it isn't an easy industry to break into. But seeing the Patriots come back to take home their fifth Super Bowl reminded him to be determined.
"The way in which the Patriots rallied against all odds to come back in the final quarter and win the Super Bowl is a reminder to me that no matter where you stand in your life, you can always be successful with determination and refusing to give up," Max said. "I used Han Solo's quote from 'Star Wars' because this was another constant throughout my childhood that I loved."
Patriots not only made appearances on graduation caps. They even made an appearance *in *a cap and gown. New Patriot Andrew Hawkins finished up graduate school at Columbia University, and used his cap to show he was not only fast but smart.
Check out some of the other grad caps we found below.
