Megan Fritz
Online Layout Editor, Social Media Manager

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates have received a lot of attention in the media. Determining how to best acknowledge the achievements of these students has been a thought in the minds of many across the nation and worldwide.

This past Friday, students and families across the country tuned into one or more of the live-streamed events celebrating the class of 2020. Celebrities, artists, and many others partook in the event through speeches, statements, and performances to recognize the hard work these students have put in over the years. Events such as “Graduate Together” hosted by CNN or “Show Me Your Walk” hosted by Chase Bank brought students further support from some of the influential celebrities in their lives.

“It’s nice to see that people outside of our community are supporting us and are trying to recognize all that we have done as a class,” senior Molly Martini said, “Having people we look up to tell us that they are proud of us and that they recognize how difficult this must be for us as graduates is a validating and comforting thing to hear.”

Celebrities like Lebron James, Kevin Hart, Timotheé Chalamet and Barack Obama shared sentiments with these graduates commending them on this momentous accomplishment.

“I don’t know if you are going from daycare to kindergarten, or from kindergarten to elementary, or from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, high school to college, or college to life… this is for you all,” actor and comedian Kevin Hart said on the “Show Me Your Walk” live stream presented by Chase Bank, “You did it. You started something and you finished it. That shouldn’t be overlooked… A lot of people can start stuff, but not everybody can finish.”

By showing their support, these celebrities are showing graduates that their accomplishments are not something to brush off or overlook but rather something to recognize and celebrate.