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Obamas to Speak at Nationwide TV High School Graduation Ceremony

VOA News

   Former PresidentBarack Obama will be the commencement speakerthis month
   atwhat may be the world's largesthighschool graduation ceremony.

   With millions of high schoolstudents missing their traditional
   graduation ceremonies because of the coronavirus,Obama'saddresswillbe
   the highlight ofGraduate Together: America Honors the High School Class
   of 2020.

   The four major commercial televisionnetworkswill broadcast the special
   show on May 16, along with 20 other broadcasting and digitaloutlets.

   Basketball superstar LeBron James,Pakistani women's rights activist
   Malala Yousafzai, and popular actor Ben Platt will also appear in the
   program.

   As many as 3 million high school seniors will begraduatingthisyear
   butare being deprived of thecap and gown ceremony,wherethey march down
   an aisle, onto thestage,and accept adiplomain front of proudparents.

   "I've always loved joining commencements -- the culmination of years of
   hard work and sacrifice,"Obama said on Twitter. "Even if we can't get
   together in person this year,Michelle and I are excited to celebrate
   the nationwide Class of 2020 and recognize this milestone with you and
   your loved ones."

   The former First LadyMichelleObamatweeted"Whether you're graduating
   from high school, college, or any other kind of school -- we want you,
   your family, and all of your loved ones to be a part of this
   celebration."

   There is no word on who the Obamas will be taking to a virtual senior
   prom.

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