#Graduation2020: Facebook, Instagram Celebrate Students With Online Event Featuring Oprah, Awkwafina, Lil Nas X, More

This is a bittersweet time for the Class of 2020. As students head toward graduation, it’s not the day they might have imagined — no processions, no diploma handoffs, no parties. They are commencing at a time of great uncertainty. But graduating is a tremendous achievement, and worth pausing to celebrate even in these circumstances. That’s why Facebook has planned a special event on the Facebook app and Instagram.

On May 15 at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET, the social media companies will broadcast #Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020. The commencement address will be given by Oprah Winfrey, while Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X, Simone Biles, and more, will share words of wisdom for the class of 2020. Miley Cyrus will do a special performance of her hit song, “The Climb.”

The ceremony will acknowledge high schools and colleges in the US by name, state by state, including photos and videos of the class of 2020 and messages from deans and principals across the country. The video will be shared on Facebook Watch. Highlights and more will be posted to the @instagram account on Instagram, and on contributors’ social media accounts.

Graduates can also host their own virtual graduation ceremony and party via Facebook, with special features including a virtual graduation hub, custom filters, family and friends celebrations enabled by Messenger Rooms, and more.

On Monday, May 11, @instagram will kick off daily programming that spotlights iconic senior experiences — from “most likely” votes to portrait showcases to senior skip day. Instagram will also roll out new creative tools and features including a graduation countdown sticker, celebratory sticker pack, new AR effects, and a custom hashtag page for #Graduation2020.

And what’s graduation without the music? Facebook and Instagram Stories will also launch a graduation theme for Music Stickers — a list of grad-related songs making it easy to find the perfect soundtrack for the graduation moments people share in their stories.

This year’s graduation will be different than other years, and no doubt memorable because of it. We all are proud of our graduates for all they have achieved — congratulations to the Class of 2020!