Parkland students pay tribute at graduation ceremony to those killed in shooting

Seniors graduated on Sunday from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., at a ceremony that featured tributes to classmates killed just a few months earlier in a shooting at the school. 

Students, staff and family members showed their support in person and on social media. Students wore stoles that read “MSD Strong,” while some students decorated their graduation caps to honor their late classmates or push for new gun laws.

“Today will be very emotional on many different levels. Remember those not with us, and celebrate all the successes the Class of 2018 has brought to the community and the world! Congrats!” Principal Ty Thompson tweeted ahead of the ceremony.

@Msd_classof2018 Today is the day you will graduate from high school. Today will be very emotional on many different levels. Remember those not with us, and celebrate all the successes the Class of 2018 has brought to the community and the world! Congrats! pic.twitter.com/zAmSVXkn7F

— Principal Thompson (@PrincipalMSD) June 3, 2018

{mosads}A gunman opened fire in the school on Feb. 14, killing 17 people and injuring several others. Four seniors — Nicholas Dworet, Joaquin Oliver, Meadow Pollack and Carmen Schentrup — were among those killed.

A teacher told CNN that attendees were brought to tears when students sang a song written in the aftermath of the shooting. 

The Miami Herald reported that the school presented diplomas to the students’ family members, and held a moment of silence.

Patricia Oliver, Joaquin Oliver’s mother, accepted her son’s diploma while wearing a shirt that read “This should be my son,” the Herald reported.

At least two parents chose not to attend the ceremony.

Andrew Pollack, Meadow Pollack’s father, said he would not be at the event. Instead, he wrote on Twitter that his son, his nephew and his daughter’s boyfriend would accept her diploma on behalf of the family.

These great young men are going to receive my beautiful daughters diploma today. @JakeMaisner, my son @PollackHunter, my nephew @adam_lionel15 and my daughters boyfriend Brandon. I’m so proud of these guys. #FixIt pic.twitter.com/hgELukB6iv

— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) June 3, 2018

April Schentrup, Carmen Schentrup’s mother, tweeted a photo of her daughter in her cap and gown ahead of the ceremony.

“For me, it is too painful to celebrate w/o Carmen,” she tweeted. “But I am proud of Carmen’s friends & classmates on their accomplishments. They’ve overcome so much. I know they will cont to make positive changes.”

My is with the MSD C/O 2018 today.

For me, it is too painful to celebrate w/o Carmen. But I am proud of Carmen’s friends & classmates on their accomplishments. They’ve overcome so much. I know they will cont to make positive changes.

Carmen’s senior photo w/ cap & gown. pic.twitter.com/L808KwGNc0

— April Schentrup (@AprilSchentrup) June 3, 2018

Late-night host Jimmy Fallon delivered a keynote address in a previously unannounced appearance. He commended the students for their leadership and courage in the aftermath of the shooting.

“When something feels hard, remember that it gets better,” Fallon told graduates. “Choose to move forward. Don’t let anything stop you.”

He delivered a few pieces of advice, joking that graduates should “lay off the carbs.” 

“Second, I would say, is listen,” he continued. “Listen to everyone around you. Hear other voices. There’s so many different voices in the world.” 

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

Look who came to honor the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS Class of 2018!!! @jimmyfallon @FallonTonight @browardschools @PrincipalMSD #MSDSTRONG #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/okEm59JVlN

— BCPS OSPA Chief (@BCPSChiefOSPA) June 3, 2018

The Feb. 14 shooting launched a national debate over gun laws in the U.S., with several Stoneman Douglas students leading the calls for stricter regulations on firearm purchases and certain types of weapons. 

The students organized the “March for Our Lives” event that took place in Washington, D.C., and spawned numerous localized events on March 24.

The school did not stream or broadcast the graduation ceremony, though parents had the opportunity to speak to media outside the event at BB&T Center.