'Graduate Together 2020': Students sing National Anthem, emotional viewers say it made them feel American again
'Graduate Together: America Honors The Class Of 2020' can easily be termed as one of the most heartwarming, positive and motivating events that have been held during this pandemic. It redefines high school graduation and will be remembered in the years to come.
Ex-POTUS Barack Obama's speech was a highlight, for sure, but what stole the limelight was a group of high school seniors who formed a virtual orchestra to sing the National Anthem. Fans have enjoyed every moment of it and are not holding back in expressing it on social media, with some even admitting to crying while the kids performed.
Watch the National Anthem performance here. "I’ve never been a fan of the National Anthem but hearing these students sing it has me all up in my feelings with hope for our country and the world for the first time in a very long time #GraduateTogether #Hope #TheFuture," a fan shared while another wrote: "I didn’t expect to tear up during the National Anthem in the #GraduateTogether special. Maybe it’s because it’s the first time I’ve heard it in months. It was an unexpected reminder of how much I love my country and want to fight for it."
"I cried for the duration of the National Anthem during #GraduateTogether. First time I've felt remotely American since 2016. Come on #ObamaGreat, I know I'll be crying then, too," a viewer expressed.
The graduation event was a star-studded with celebrities, people of power and position sharing words of encouragement for those graduating this year as the world tackles the Covid-19 crisis.
LeBron James, Lana Condor, Kevin Hart, the Jonas Brothers featuring KAROL G, Alicia Keys, Julianne Moore, Shaquille O’Neal, National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson, Olivia Wilde, Pharrell Williams, Malala Yousafzai and Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman were among the lengthy list of guests who shared their two cents as part of the event.
Malala empathized with the students, saying she will also be missing her graduation ceremony this year and added that the kids were not alone in this.
Kevin lightened the mood by sharing a funny incident from he was in school. He recalled that once, he stole his brother's sneakers and wore them to school. He got caught because they were size 10 and he was a 7. "I felt like girls would like guys with big feet. For whatever reason. Use your imagination," the actor-comedian quipped.
In a nutshell, the idea was to let the students know that they are not alone in this and are key to the future.
