“The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon delivered a speech at the graduation ceremony for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which in February witnessed a school shooting that left 17 people dead.
In his previously unannounced address, Fallon commended the students for their leadership and courage after the shooting.
“When something feels hard, remember that it gets better. Choose to move forward. Don’t let anything stop you,” Fallon told the students.
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The Marjory Stoneman Douglas students reignited a national movement for gun control after the shooting, often targeting the National Rifle Association and politicians supported by the gun group.
In March, they also planned the “March for Our Lives” rally against gun violence in Washington, D.C., and cities all around the world.
“I met many of you earlier this year at the ‘March for Our Lives’ in Washington, D.C. It was an amazing day,” Fallon said.
“Thank you for your courage and your bravery. And for giving amazing speeches I couldn’t possibly live up to,” Fallon told the students, likely in reference to speeches made by the students at the “March for Our Lives” rally.
He jokingly advised students to “lay off the carbs,” and added that they should welcome others’ opinions.
“Listen to everyone around, you hear other voices,” he said. “There’s so many different voices in the world.”
Despite Fallon’s appearance and humorous speech, the ceremony also featured more melancholy moments.
Four seniors who were killed in the shooting — Nicholas Dworet, Joaquin Oliver, Meadow Pollack and Carmen Schentrup — were awarded posthumous diplomas.
The ceremony was not streamed or broadcasted but parents were allowed to speak to the media outside the event at the BB&T Center.