One-thousand AISD Seniors Gather at Thorne Stadium for Citywide Class of 2020 Celebration

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner addresses Aldine ISD seniors

The 2019-20 school year was anything but normal, especially for the Class of 2020.

When the Class of 2020 left for spring break in early March, little did they know they would not be returning to school for the rest of the school year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. That meant no senior proms or other traditional senior class events.

An Aldine ISD senior has a moment of reflection

But on June 5, seniors in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Houston ISD, Spring Branch ISD and Spring ISD were feted with a city-wide Class of 2020 Celebration sponsored by the City of Houston Houston First Corporation.

Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney opened the ceremony by welcoming the Class of 2020 to the event.

“Good evening Class of 2020. I am so excited and thrilled you are with us this evening.”

Dr. Goffney then introduced Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner who congratulated the Class of 2020 for its perseverance during this challenging year.

“I want to congratulate all graduates of the Class of 2020,” Turner said. “You have persevered and you are an outstanding class. I could not be more proud of you for graduating and not giving up.”

Turner encouraged the Class of 2020 to make its own mark in the future.

“Go and make all of us very proud of you,” Turner said. “Each of you has been tested and you did not give up.”

Following Turner’s remarks, a number of celebrities delivered their own congratulatory remarks via a video that was aired at all five districts that participated in the event.

Celebrities who took part in the celebration were:

• Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correra
• Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt
• Rapper 50 Cent
• Astronaut Chris Cassidy (who delivered his message from space)
• Actress Chandra Wilson
• Olympic Gold Medalist gymnast Simone Biles
• Rapper Slim Thugg
• Houston Rockets point guard James Harden
• Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker
• Master Chef Winner Christine Ha
• Top Chef contestant Vanarin Kuch
• The Suffers’ lead singer Kam Franklin
• Fashion designer Chloe Dao
• Saxophonist Kyle Turner
• Houston Dynamo defender Adam Lundkvist
• Houston Dynamo forward Niko Hansen
• Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Maric
• Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomas Martinez
• Houston Dynamo midfielder Memo Rodriguez
• Houston Dash defender Megan Crosson
• Houston Dash midfielder Kristie Mewis

Two Davis High School seniors visit

Nimitz High School senior Aracely Hernandez told the Houston Chronicle said she enjoyed the event and is looking forward to the district’s formal graduation ceremony slated for Thorne Stadium in July when she can share her experience with her family and friends.

“I’m the oldest in my family, and it would mean a lot to have something where my parents could come to have that traditional experience,” she said. “But something like this, it still really means a lot to me.”

MacArthur High School senior Daisy Urquieto said she was moved by Turner’s words.

“This was an awesome experience,” she said. “Mayor Turner’s speech was amazing. It was so uplifting after what our class has been through this year.”

Her classmate, Guadalupe Sanjuan said she thoroughly enjoyed the event.

“I thought it was so much fun and unforgettable,” she said. “I want to thank Dr. Goffney and Aldine for putting this on for us.”

Crown Castle provided double the bandwith for Aldine ISD and Spring ISD free of charge to provide a technical advantage for the two school districts.