Jimmy Fallon surprised departing seniors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School with a commencement speech on their graduation day on Sunday.
The “Tonight Show” host had made a connection with the students after advocating against gun violence at the student-led March for Our Lives demonstration, sparked by the Feb. 14 school shooting that killed 17 students and faculty.
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Fallon called described the protest as an “amazing day” and thanked the Parkland students for their courage and bravery.
“Today you’re graduating from high school,” Fallon began the speech, according to CNN. “You should feel incredibly proud of yourselves.”
@jimmyfallon thanks for all of your love and support of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Community & @browardschools … @PrincipalMSD @RobertwRuncie @BrowardOSPA @Ramirez0505 @95Hollingsworth pic.twitter.com/f8vkT5imA8
— BCPS Chief of Staff (@BCPSCOS) June 3, 2018
The tone of the speech vacillated from celebration to sadness. First, the comedian joked about the infamous yanny versus laurel debate and what social media will mean to the classmates in the future now that they’re considered actual adults.
Meadow Pollack, Carmen Schentrup, Nicholas Dworet and Joaquin Oliver, the four seniors who died in the shooting, were honored at the ceremony. Their family members accepted their diplomas on their behalf as their names were called to the stage.
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/1003377373541257217
Later, Fallon gave some encouraging words for the students as they face the challenges that lie ahead.
“The first thing is this: When something feels hard, remember that it gets better,” Fallon said. “Choose to move forward. Don’t let anything stop you.”
Look who came to honor the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS Class of 2018!!! @jimmyfallon @FallonTonight @browardschools @PrincipalMSD #MSDSTRONG #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/okEm59JVlN
— BCPS Chief of Staff (@BCPSCOS) June 3, 2018
(H/T: CNN)