Jimmy Fallon Gives Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commencement Speech
On Sunday, June 3rd, the seniors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were in for a pleasant surprise as they awaited their diplomas.
Little did the soon-to-be graduates know, the host of NBC’s The Tonight Show and former SNL cast member Jimmy Fallon would soon deliver them a heartfelt commencement speech.
He provided plenty of comic relief throughout, stating, “You should feel incredibly proud of yourselves. That doesn’t mean you should rest on your laurels — or your yannys.”
He also made the joke that it was “Opposite Day,” as an acknowledgment of the student activists who have been leading the gun control reform movement. “When you think of commencement speakers, you think of people who are inspirational, people who are eloquent, people who’ve changed the world,” said Fallon, “When you think of high school students, you think of people who are immature, slightly awkward, still learning to be an adult.”
Congratulations Marjory Stoneman Douglas Class of 2018! You are not just the future – you are the present. Keep changing the world. Keep making us proud. #MSDStrong #YouAreThePresent pic.twitter.com/czvZwezKSt
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) June 3, 2018
It was apparent that the 43-year-old television personality was humbled by the opportunity, adding, “Thank you for your courage and your bravery, and for giving amazing speeches I could never possibly live up to.”
