Oprah, Awkwafina and Miley Cyrus sign on for Facebook’s class of 2020 virtual graduation

Tribune Content Agency

The class of 2020 will not be able to experience the pomp and circumstance of a traditional graduation ceremony, so Facebook wants to help.

On Tuesday, Facebook and Instagram announced plans to celebrate this year’s graduating class with a streaming event on May 15, featuring Oprah Winfrey as the commencement speaker.

The “#Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020” broadcast will also include messages from Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X and Simone Biles, among others.

Miley Cyrus is also slated to perform her song “The Climb” during the virtual graduation.

As schools remain shut down due to the coronavirus crisis, students have had to navigate new routines that include distance learning and online Advance Placement tests, among other uncertainties, while being forced to forgo standard milestones such as prom and graduation ceremonies.

Facebook also announced a week’s worth of graduation-related programming leading up to its May 15 event, including spotlights on traditional senior experiences such as superlatives and skip day on Instagram, new stickers and themes for Facebook and Instagram stories and resources for those looking to host their own graduation events through Facebook’s Room feature.

“#Graduation2020” will be available to view through Facebook Watch on the Facebook App page in its entirety. Individual segments will also be posted on the official @Instagram account.

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