Read Lauryn Hill’s letter to the Temple University class of 2020

It’s that time of year when many seniors, high school and college alike, would under normal circumstances be getting ready to walk with their classmates to receive their diplomas after many hard years of study.

This year is not “normal circumstances,” and schools around the country and globe are approaching their ceremonial honoring of graduates differently, from moving to virtual commencements to having none at all.

Temple University had an online celebration for the 10,430 degree recipients of its class of 2020, its largest to date, and as part of that, graduates received a letter by East Orange, New Jersey singer, songwriter, and rapper Lauryn Hill.

In part, Hill told 2020’s seniors:

I hope that you understand the power of your youth—its grace and vitality.
I hope that you understand the power of opportunity and the privilege of knowledge.
I hope that you protect your youth, value your opportunities and continue to grow your knowledge.
The world desperately needs youthful optimism and people prepared to help lead and guide
its course with wisdom and informed perspective.
Make no mistake, our times aren’t easy, but they aren’t impossible to alter and positively
affect either.
Acts of kindness,
acts of courage,
acts of responsibility,
acts informed by wisdom and preparation can help bring stability, clarity and positive
vibration back.
Knowledge is a cure for ignorance.
Confidence and preparedness, a cure for insecurity and instability.

Read Hill’s full letter to Temple University’s graduates here.

(h/t Okayplayer)