Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez is sending the class of 2020 with some words of wisdom. On Tuesday, the couple teamed with Mayor Bill de Blasio and schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza to honor the City of New York graduates in special virtual graduation ceremony. “We know that you have worked very hard to get here, and that your family, friends, and teachers should be very proud of the young people have become,” Jennifer began.
Alex went on to explain the importance of working together as a team, and shared the story of the time they won a World championship with the New York Yankees. “The point is that when you looked at our team, it was a melting pot of cultures. We loved each other, we accept each other, and bonded with each other. We share a common goal and we achieved it, and that is what made us great,” he said. “Our hope is that one day, all of you and to the united states, can come hand-in-hand as of 2009, the New York Yankees . . . when we work together, we can accomplish incredible things.”
“With every great challenge comes a great opportunity, and like so many things in life, this starts with the acceptance of responsibility.”
Jennifer reflects on her high school years and the uncertainty she felt about her future during that time. “We both remember being in your position with an uncertain future ahead of us, but what we know now is that they were not actually in their shoes. We didn’t have to celebrate our graduation in the home or to see our teachers and graduation speakers in a screen,” she explained. “As the events of the past weeks have shown, your generation faces a unique set of challenges. It feels like we have lost our way in these last few years, but we can find our way back. With every great challenge comes a great opportunity, and like so many things in life, this starts with the acceptance of responsibility.”
Jennifer ended her speech urged the graduates to participate in their communities and stressing the importance of voting. “Do what you can, large or small, to ensure that the people who represent, in fact, represent you. And please, don’t let your education stop after graduation,” Jennifer said. “You’ve earned your title today, but you never stop being a student. Make an effort to learn more and more each day. And, finally, become the leaders of tomorrow.” See Jennifer and Alex’s impassioned speech earlier.
