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Oprah Winfrey
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Oprah Winfrey will host a virtual commencement for all Chicago Public Schools seniors

You get a diploma! You get a diploma! You get a diploma!

Zach Long
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Zach Long
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Due to the ongoing Illinois "stay-at-home" order and the suspension of in-person classes for the remainder of the school year, seniors at Chicago high schools won't have the opportunity to walk across a stage and accept their diplomas when the academic year ends in June. Recognizing the need for a celebration to highlight the achievements of the class of 2020, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a virtual citywide high school commencement ceremony for all Chicago Public Schools seniors, hosted by former Chicagoan Oprah Winfrey.

Mayor Lightfoot made the announcement via her very first video on social network TikTok, donning a cap and gown and dancing to the track "Lottery (Renegade)" by Atlanta rapper K Camp. The date for the virtual celebration has not yet been set, but CPS seniors can expect speeches and performances from their peers as well as prominent local figures (appearances by fellow CPS grads seem likely), leading up to the commencement address from Winfrey.

"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," Lightfoot said in a statement. "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."

We're excited to celebrate with Chicago's newest grads and look forward to seeing if Oprah's infamous giveaways factor into the event—we're sure that most of the class of 2020 wouldn't mind being given a new car!

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