COVID-19 will rob students of the chance to walk down the aisle with their friends to collect their hard-earned diplomas. But celebs are trying to make sure they won’t entirely miss out on the graduation experience. Many big names will give commencements addresses to the Class of 2020 in a podcast series from iHeartMedia.
Now WWE star John Cena will also stream a virtual address that will also honor a beloved author. He’s tag teaming with Random House Children’s Books, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and astronaut Scott Kelly for a month long Oh, the Places You’ll Go! digital graduation celebration.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises/Random House
On May 1, John Cena and Scott Kelly will launch the Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Virtual Graduation Celebration for the Class of 2020 and their teachers. It will kick off on Cena’s personal Twitter account at noon Eastern. The former 16-time WWE champion will begin the event with a commencement keynote offering advice for all ages. His address will also include a reading from Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, which will also be available on Facebook.
The virtual graduation is also a celebration of the beloved Dr. Seuss book’s 30th anniversary. The campaign will continue throughout May “complete with readings, graduation photo-sharing, inspirational words of wisdom, and more” That will include an audiobook reading of the Seuss classic by John Lithgow. There are also activities and decorations available to help throw your own party.
Scott Kelly, the record-holder for longest spaceflight by an American (340 days), said in a statement, “It is an honor to join the Oh, the Places You’ll Go! campaign to recognize graduates across the country, who are beginning their journey of discovery and achievement.”
This morning we've kicked off 'Oh, the Places You'll Go' Facebook group. A virtual graduation celebration honoring the students and educators of the class of 2020 and the 30th anniversary of the iconic book. https://t.co/d7IbE2MTnj pic.twitter.com/aazpxM3u8q
— Dr. Seuss (@DrSeuss) April 30, 2020
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go! has always been special for graduates given its inspirational message,” said Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. “We’re proud that these words will still bring people together in celebration of graduates and educators of the class of 2020, albeit not physically. This year it is especially important for them to be reassured that they will overcome the ‘Bang-ups and Hang-ups’ of our current situation and push on to success.”
And those who join in on the celebration via social media can also help out a good cause for future graduates. All you have to do is post a photo celebrating a 2020 graduate using the hashtag #ohtheplaces2020. Then tag three friends to continue the chain.
“For the month of May, Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises will donate one book to First Book (up to 20,020!) for every in-feed post tagged with #ohtheplaces2020. First Book will distribute donations to classroom libraries in the fall in honor of the educators of the class of 2020 who would have been recognized at graduation ceremonies.”
We know the Class of 2020 is missing out on a special day. But believe us when we tell you, John Cena reading Dr. Seuss is better than most commencement speeches.
Featured Image: WWE/ Random House Children’s Books