Oscar-Nominated Actress Named PG County Graduation Speaker

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County high school seniors who may have been feeling a little shortchanged because of the closure of the county's schools due to the coronavirus pandemic, have got something to to be happy about now. Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson will be their 2020 commencement speaker.

"The eGraduation Celebration will pay tribute to our estimated 8,000 seniors at 31 traditional, public charter and alternative high schools," said Monica Goldson, chief executive officer of Prince George's County Public Schools, in an email to PGCPS families. "Ms. Henson is a 1988 Oxon Hill High School graduate."

In 2009, Henson was nominated for an Academy Award in the supporting actress category for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Other prominent PGCPS alumni participating in the celebration include R&B singer Kenny Lattimore; radio host/comedian Joe Clair; NFL cornerback Joe Haden and local news anchor Taylor Thomas.

The eGraduation Celebration will air Saturday, May 30 on WJLA 24/7 News (Comcast 808, FiOS 508, DirecTV/Dish 8) and Sunday, May 31 on ABC7.

"I know this is not the same as walking across the stage on graduation day," Goldson said. "I am working with the Board of Education to give our students that moment once these restrictions are lifted. Until then, I want them to feel our PGCPS pride in their accomplishments, the unstoppable Class of 2020."

This eGraduation Celebration news comes two days after State Superintendent of Education Dr. Karen Salmon announced that all Maryland public schools would be closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.

Following that announcement, Goldson updated the county's plan for the rest of the school year, including that May 15 would be the last day of the school year for PGCPS' high school seniors.

Also see ...

PG County Updates Its Plans For Remainder Of School Year

Maryland Schools To Close For Rest Of Spring: Coronavirus