This Year’s Best Virtual Celebrity Commencement Speeches That’ll Give You Hope for the Future

No one could’ve predicted that the class of 2020 would have to trade their in-person graduation ceremonies for livestreams and Zoom calls. However, this year’s graduating class has pioneered the world’s new normal by triumphantly finishing their academic year at home, and that’s something to be extremely proud of.

To help celebrate and uplift all graduating students across the country for their ability to adapt and thrive during these unprecedented times, A-list stars have rallied to salute young people’s efforts and offer them important pieces of advice as they enter the next phases of their lives.

President Barack Obama

While the former president knows how devastating it is for students who’ve had to miss out on senior nights, proms and graduation ceremonies, he also knows that the future is bright for these young adults, as they prepare to forge their ways as leaders in a post-COVID world.

He concluded his powerful message to the class of 2020 by saying, “With so much uncertainty — when everything is suddenly up for grabs, this is your generation’s world to shape.”

Tom Hanks

Hanks honored the students at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, by acknowledging that many things may feel uncertain right now but “we are certain of one thing on this day: You will not let us down.”

Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey asked the “chosen class” of 2020 if they can “use the disorder that COVID-19 has wrought” to “reorder our way of being.” She challenged them to use this time to help rebuild a world that is more beautiful, just and kind. She powerfully ended her impassioned speech by simply saying, “Be the class that commenced a new way forward.”