An Unforgettable eGraduation

A Star-Studded 2020 Prince George’s County High School Virtual Graduation Celebration, The Class Of 2020 May Be More Ready For The World Than Classes Before It

Taraji P. Henson was commencement speaker. Credit: pam4pgcps/Twitter

A Commentary By Kia Lisby

2020: A year we declared as a new outlook and having the perfect vision of our goals and resolutions. A year we anticipated and saw as a new start to the decade on January 1 quickly took an unforeseen turn. A year of challenges no one saw coming that led many students having to conquer senior year of high school from home followed by virtually graduating. The virtual graduation honored and acknowledged the well-deserving high school graduates in an untraditional but meaningful way.

With the many factors that have contributed to the challenges of the first half of the year, it has been hard for many, including myself, to stay positive and see the good things happening around us. Each year around May and June in the United States, families, friends and teachers commemorate the culmination of years of study as high school and college seniors achieve graduation. No matter what year you graduate, it is nostalgic to think back on what life was like senior year, whether it be high school or college.

Senior year is all about the prom, graduation and taking that walk across the stage. It’s about everybody close to you seeing and celebrating your moment. And don’t forget about graduation night and weekend. Short of getting married and having children, the downhill end of senior year is the most memorable moment in life for many of us.

But the virus stepped in on all that for the class of 2020.

To show support and encouragement to graduating seniors and their families, PGCPS prepared and aired a virtual graduation - the first of its kind - May 30 and 31 (WJLA). The virtual graduation, “Unstoppable,” was a token of appreciation to show that their efforts did not go unnoticed. The recognition was a visual affirmation for their extremely hard work during their years of schooling. It showed the graduates that they are not alone, that they are noticed, and they are loved.

As a recent 2016 graduate of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr High School and a 2019 college graduate of Bowie State University, I empathize with the graduates. Senior year of high school was a time of struggle and perseverance because of the common ailment known as “senioritis.” Starting at preschool and finally arriving some 12 years later to become a senior, gave both a sense of relief and achievement. The days leading up to it never seemed to come quick enough until the realization of graduation and college decision day arrived.

Officially, I was scheduled to graduate in 2020. But hard work and sacrifices granted me the ability to graduate college early. It hurts to see many of my peers and those who are coming up under me, not experience what they’ve earned as seniors and waited their whole lives for. I can only imagine that I would feel saddened and disappointed with a minor thought that all my years of work were a waste without the proper recognition deserved. At times, I feel a sense of guilt knowing that I should be in this predicament, too.

But the over 8,000 high school seniors in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) got something that only they will have.

First, the star-studded lineup of congratulatory messages of the Unstoppable broadcast to the Class of 2020. Motivation and words of wisdom came from the likes of many local and national celebrities and leaders who are natives of Prince George’s such as: Joe Clair, Kenny Lattimore, Mya, Martin Lawrence, NBA coach Monty Williams, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (the first woman in history to hold the office), Tray Chaney, NFL player Myles Humphrey, Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. of First Baptist Church of Glenarden and Asante Blackk--all of whom are products of Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Through them, the broadcast introduced the graduating class to the heights of success possible by people who sat in the same classrooms that they have been in for the past 12 years.

Such an example of this truth is Taraji P. Henson. Henson, an Oxon Hill High School graduate, was front and center to make the celebration more special. “You will fall and make mistakes, but it’s how you grow and become the best version of yourself,” she stated, while explaining she failed many times, but never gave up. Each failure got her closer to her dream.

Second, graduates should know this:  Even though you are unable to traditionally graduate, there is so much love and support for you as shown in the virtual graduation. It is understandable that a virtual graduation is not the same as traditional graduations with the attendance of loved ones but, it does not diminish all the hard work that went into your making it to this point. You did the work, you made it happen – in spite of the obstacles. This year is an obstacle within itself but making it through is preparing you for a brighter future. To be able to graduate during a global pandemic sounds taboo but you all have shown that it is possible.

Yes, getting a unique look at “the possible” is very special for the class of 2020. This class, before entering the workforce, has weathered the storm of this virus, the growing threat of gun violence, the rigors of the 2008 market crash, the housing crisis, the specter of police brutality, and the slow erosion of civil liberties. Having witnessed so much change and challenge, the class of 2020 may be one of the strongest ever. Certainly, this class will be bound to one another over the years to come as they go into the world as perhaps being more prepared for the rigors of the world than classes before them.

Now that you have moved your tassels from the right to left, go on to do great things. Congratulations!