Congrats Class Of 2020

It’s graduation time!  In the middle of a pandemic.  This is one for the record books.  Or scrapbooks.  What words of wisdom would you offer to the class of 2020?  Be kind.  Be yourself.  Be compassionate.  Be considerate.  Don’t sell yourself short.  Life is only beginning.

Gosh, what I would give to go back and give my younger self a little pep talk.

When I look back on my graduation – whether grade 8, or high school, or even college – the memories fade.

Grade 8 was not worth remembering.  New kid. New school. New town.   Better forgotten.

Grade 12 grad.  Hmmm.  All I remember was it was in the fall.  And I was already well into my first semester of college.

College graduation was quiet.  And LONG.  It took a long time in a hot gym to go through all the names.  I didn’t feel any different.  Nobody gave me a car or trip to some exotic location.  George Clooney, Oprah – nobody showed up.  I don’t remember a big grad speech or anything.

But I get it.  You deserve to be recognized for all that you have accomplished.  All that you have worked for.  You deserve the ceremony.  With the stage and the crowd.  Walking across to accept your diploma.  You deserve the after party.  The pomp.  The circumstance.

I know it looks different.  I know you’re disappointed, but even though Class of 2020 – you are missing out on the ceremonies, and after parties – celebrities are stepping up to the plate to share words of encouragement and help you celebrate.

At an online even this weekend, Former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the graduates.  And even though it was intended for those in the United States, I think all of us can take some words of wisdom from her.  “What kind of person do you want to be?  …..    in an uncertain world, time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion – that’s the ONLY real currency in life. Treating people right will never ever fail you”

Worth taking the 17 minutes to watch.

During the special, the cast of my favourite show, who I refer to as my favourite tv family, Schitt’s Creek, reunited.  Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Noah Reid, and other cast members, showed up on video chat as their characters, for a virtual salute to teachers. Or “preceptors” as Moira says. I love her words.  She does the character so well.

They come together to sing an incredible version of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” only to be surprised by Mariah Carey herself.

Enjoy!  And don’t forget to submit YOUR class of 2020 pic on our online virtual yearbook page at www.foxfm.com

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan