Oprah To Give Commencement Speech At Chicago Virtual Graduation

CHICAGO — With traditional high school graduation ceremonies canceled due to the new coronavirus crisis, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Thursday announced plans to hold a virtual commencement celebration starring Oprah Winfrey in mid-June.

“We are thrilled and honored to have the one-and-only Oprah Winfrey joining us for this incredible moment with Chicago’s high school seniors,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.

“The times we are living in are historic and stunning, forcing us all to take a deep look at who we are as a people and our place in the world. No one knows this better than Oprah, and I join all of Chicago in looking forward to hearing the wisdom she’ll be sharing with our incredible young people as they take this unforgettable next step on their life’s journey.”

Lightfoot made the announcement with a dance routine video, the mayor's TikTok debut.

The citywide virtual graduation aims to be a celebration of every high school senior in Chicago's public and private schools. The ceremony is slated to include speeches, performances, and a wide array of elements that will feature student achievements and experiences at a date yet to be determined.

"The meaning of graduation is more profound than a physical stage and nothing can detract from the beaming pride of a Chicago Public Schools parent when their student earns a diploma," CPS CEO Janice Jackson said. "We know we can't fully replace the special milestones lost during this unprecedented crisis, but our seniors deserve to be celebrated for their hard work and we look forward to coming together to honor our seniors during this special occasion."