Chicago to host citywide virtual graduation with Oprah Winfrey

Chicago’s first citywide virtual graduation in mid-June will be hosted by Oprah Winfrey, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday. 

“We are thrilled and honored to have the one-and-only Oprah Winfrey joining us for this incredible moment with Chicago’s high school seniors,” Lightfoot said in a news release.

“While we can’t recreate these in-person memories, I feel strongly that we need to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our many high school seniors in Chicago.”

Lightfoot teased the announcement Thursday morning via a Tik Tok video before officially announcing that Winfrey would be virtually attending. 

I’ve always said that if I were to get on @tiktok_us it had to be for something REALLY special. Today is the day. Get ready. https://t.co/YVCt5h1dLx pic.twitter.com/2h9DtvdMRE

— Mayor Lightfoot #StayHomeSaveLives (@chicagosmayor) April 30, 2020

Chicago Public Schools are shuttered through the end of the school year, leaving the city’s 25,000 public high schools without an in-person graduation ceremony. The virtual ceremony is scheduled for mid-June but the exact date has not yet been announced. 

This week Winfrey announced she will deliver a commencement address for 2020 graduates next month as part of an online celebratory event being hosted by Facebook and Instagram.