Facebook To Host An Online Graduation Event
We take a look at what is in store for the ‘class of 2020’ in Facebook’s virtual graduation ceremony.
High school and college seniors will likely not have the traditional graduation celebration this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Facebook plans on giving the graduates a virtual event featuring celebrities and musical acts.
The social media platform will host #Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020 on May 15 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Oprah Winfrey. Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X, Simone Biles and more will address the graduating class, and Miley Cyrus will perform her song "The Climb." High schools and colleges in the US will be acknowledged during the event featuring messages from deans and principals.
The video of the event will be shared on Facebook Watch and highlights will be posted on the official Instagram account. Graduates can also host their own ceremony on Facebook with the special virtual graduation hub along with custom filters and celebrations in Messenger Rooms.
Instagram will kick off the festivities today with daily postings spotlighting iconic senior experiences. The photo platform will also roll out graduation stickers, AR effects and a hashtag page for #Graduation2020.
The class of 2020 will have more celebrity speeches to listen to on May 15 from iHeartRadio. Speeches for the Class of 2020 will feature addresses from Jimmy Fallon, Hillary Clinton, John Legend and other high-profile people.
Senior night for athletes will be held on Instagram Tuesday, with basketball players Sabrina Ionescu and Myles Powell, softball player Shay Knighten, and footballer Andrew Pryts joining the party.
Instagram is hosting a virtual senior comedy day on Wednesday with shows by comedians Quinta Brunson, Cameron J. Henderson and Christine Snaps. Marina Keegan's essay The Opposite of Loneliness has been made into a film featuring images of 2020 graduates, which will debut on Facebook. Facebook Stories will also encourage seniors to take part in a grad walk Wednesday.
On Thursday, Instagram will "pay homage to the best and brightest students"; five winners of the Brooklyn Museum's competition for high school and college seniors will be announced in a virtual art show and given $5,000 in grants from Instagram; actors, dancers and gymnasts including Bryce Xavier, Nia Sioux and Livvy Dunne will join in on the Creators Instagram account, which will be posting yearbooks; and Instagram's Shop will have a grad gift guide.
This year’s graduation will be different than other years, and no doubt memorable because of it. Congratulations to the class of 2020!
Find out more, here.
Source: CNET
