May 8, 2020
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will honor the Class of 2020 with a systemwide eGraduation Celebration on Saturday, May 30, featuring Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson as commencement speaker.
The event will pay tribute to an estimated 8,000 seniors at 31 traditional, public charter and alternative high schools. Produced in collaboration with ABC7/WJLA-TV, it will air that evening at 7 p.m. on WJLA 24/7 News (Comcast 808, FiOS 508, DirecTV/Dish 8) and Charge (Over the Air Channel 7.2). A replay is scheduled for the following day at noon on ABC7.
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson announced the news today in a message to high school seniors.
“I know this doesn’t make up for not being able to walk across the stage,” said Dr. Goldson. “The Board of Education and I promise to do everything in our power to give you that moment once these restrictions are lifted. Your PGCPS family is so proud of your accomplishments and we want to send you into the real world not just #PGCPSProud, but #PGCPSFutureReady. You are unstoppable, Class of 2020.”
Raised in Oxon Hill, Henson graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1988. A Golden Globe winner, Emmy nominee and author, she is best known for her roles in Hidden Figures, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Empire and Person of Interest. Henson founded the nonprofit Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to help change the perception of mental illness in the African American community and to connect those in need with resources, such as tele-therapy to address COVID-19 stress.
The eGraduation Celebration will also feature R&B singer Kenny Lattimore, a PGCPS Alumni Hall of Fame inductee; radio host/comedian Joe Clair; NFL cornerback Joe Haden; local news anchor Taylor Thomas and more.
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