Celebrities, activists, artists and students themselves recognized America's 3 million-plus graduating high school seniors in a widely broadcast ceremony on Saturday night, after the coronavirus crisis robbed the class of 2020 of a crucial milestone.
The virtual event, called Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020, carried a resounding message of community at a time when COVID-19 rules out the possibility of large gatherings.
In his commencement speech, former President Barack Obama told students that they've already faced big challenges to get to this point.
"Graduating is a big achievement under any circumstances. Some of you have had to overcome serious obstacles along the way," he said.
And just as seniors were ready to celebrate crossing the finish line, the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Acknowledging the new uncertainties introduced by the pandemic, Obama told the class of 2020 that the global health crisis would force them to grow up faster.
"When everything's up for grabs, this is your generation's world to shape," Obama said.
"This pandemic has shaken up the status quo and laid bare a lot of our country's deep-seated problems," he said, pointing to economic inequality, systemic racism and health care disparities.