NYC Organizes Star-Studded Digital Graduation For Class Of 2020

NEW YORK, NY — New York City's entire class of 2020 will celebrate graduating from high school this month during a digital ceremony that will feature a start-studded lineup of speakers and performers, city officials announced Tuesday.

The digital ceremony will be held June 30, Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said. News station PIX 11 will broadcast the graduation, which will also be live-streamed by the city, Brooklyn band Phony Ppl will perform and celebrities such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pitbull, Tina Fey and Andy Cohen will offer some words of advice and inspiration for seniors.

Seniors at New York City schools had their final year of high school cut short in March when city and state officials made the decision to close schools in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Seniors adjusted their expectations for big events like prom and graduation, but have also lost out on the final few months of high school before moving on to the next phase of their lives.

"Graduating high school under normal circumstances is an extraordinary accomplishment, but I am especially impressed by the Class of 2020 and all they have been through to get to this point. In this time of great upheaval and many challenges, they will be leading the way to create a fairer, safer future for all. I could not be more proud to celebrate them with this special sendoff," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.

PIX 11 anchor Kori Chambers, reporter Marysol Castro and meteorologist Mr. G will host the graduation broadcast, which goes live at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30.

Some schools and communities throughout New York City have organized separate socially-distanced graduations. The citywide ceremony will serve as a compliment to any community-based graduation ceremonies, city officials said.