FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2020
[cid:691b5c9d-e573-44d7-9035-9a9ed1e7fab8]
Contact: Grant Bosse
(603) 271-0448 office
(603) 513-3030 cell
NH joins Graduate Together ceremony
Celebrating the Class of 2020 Saturday at 8pm
CONCORD- The New Hampshire Department of Education is pleased to partner with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and XQ Institute in support of Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020, a one-hour, commercial-free primetime graduation special to be broadcast Saturday. During the broadcast, viewers will be directed to XQ’s new Rethink Together online forum, which will feature specific content for each state, including a congratulatory message from Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut and stories highlighting the resiliency and strength of students, teachers and schools amid the pandemic.
“I want to congratulate the Class of 2020,” Edelblut said. “This may not have been the senior spring they expected, but we as a nation are coming together to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments.”
The national telecast will air on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific/7 p.m. Central on more than 30 broadcast and cable networks and streaming services, as well as various social media platforms. Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, joins a list of prominent leaders and entertainers in celebrating the Class of 2020. Led by XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation, and The Entertainment Industry Foundation, the special is being produced in partnership with a broad coalition of education, philanthropic, and corporate partners. In addition, corporate and philanthropic giving associated with #GraduateTogether will benefit DonorsChoose and America’s Food Fund to help meet student needs in some of our nation’s most underserved and under-resourced communities.
States’ involvement was coordinated through CCSSO.
“CCSSO is proud to partner with the XQ Institute on the #GraduateTogether campaign. This event is a bright spot in such a challenging year, bringing together educators, parents, state leaders and other partners in celebrating all students and their accomplishments,” said CCSSO Executive Director Carissa Moffat Miller. “Through this partnership, we are thrilled to make it possible for every graduating senior to hear directly from their state education leaders and the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson before they take their next steps after high school.”
View Commissioner Edelblut’s congratulatory message to the Class of 2020:
