With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic creating an unprecedented reality in several facets, Spectrum News 1 is airing a two-hour virtual high school graduation special on Saturday night to honor the class of 2020 throughout Southern California.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Jason Alexander will deliver speeches, and programming will also include messages from L.A. Dodgers teammates Clayton Kershaw, Kiké Hernandez, Joe Kelly and Max Muncy, Lakers guard Alex Caruso, and several other athletes, celebrities and community leaders.
The “SoCal Class of 2020” begins at 7 p.m. PT on Saturday. The event was organized to to celebrate the accomplishments and stories of the region’s graduating seniors.
“Graduating seniors across Southern California have inspired us all with their tremendous perseverance, and have more than earned their diplomas,” Spectrum News 1 vice president of news and content Cater Lee said.
.@ClaytonKersh22 & @ellenkershaw with a special message for the #SoCalGrads2020! 🎓💙 pic.twitter.com/mL5TEMyuu4
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 29, 2020
“Since this year’s seniors can’t participate in the graduation tradition of walking across the stage in front of their friends and families, we are bringing all Angelenos together to give them the celebration they deserve.”
Anchors Giselle Fernandez and Melvin Robert will host the first hour of the special, “SoCal Class of 2020: A Year to Remember,” which will be be a virtual yearbook that looks back at the school year through the stories of local public high school seniors from across Southern California.
To the graduating Class of 2020 from the one and only, @kikehndez. 👩🎓👨🎓#SoCalGrads2020 pic.twitter.com/ymrUiSjVwl
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 5, 2020
It will include students from Saugus High School, who survived a deadly shooting and wildfires during their senior year. The Dodgers made a surprise visit to Saugus High School in January as part of their “2020 Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour.”
The program’s second hour, “SoCal Class of 2020: Commencement Celebration,” will begin at 8 p.m. The virtual ceremony will feature inspirational messages and speeches specifically curated for the graduating class of 2020. The special also will include speeches from valedictorians from Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
In addition to the keynote from Alexander, and commencement address from Mayor Garcetti, actor Edward James Olmos will voice the ceremony and provide closing remarks.
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