Thousands of students are celebrating their promise to graduate from New York schools

NEW YORK — It is the largest annual celebration of education for I’m going to graduatea Brooklyn-based organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students.

Thousands of children packed the Kings Theater in Flatbush on Tuesday for an energetic, star-studded program that included a pep rally and musical performances.

“It’s very powerful because it can encourage people to believe in what they want to do,” said high school senior Jessica Johnson.

“I’m giving the kids a hug and letting them know that they can be amazing, and that’s what this is all about. And I’m so excited, inspired and motivated,” said Tonya Lewis-Taylor, co-founder and executive director of the organization .

The festivities started with a red carpet, with local celebrities involved in the mission.

“Keep going, keep striving, no matter what, no matter who believes in you,” said Bronx-born rapper and producer Cash Cobain.

The public promise of the students

Earlier this school year, more than 150,000 students in the city publicly pledged through this organization to graduate on time. That started a six-week program to help them stay on track, culminating in this celebration.

“This is an opportunity for them to see the best of our community and imagine who they want to be,” said state Assembly member Stefani Zinerman.

The ceremony also honored the late hip-hop artist Fatman Scoop, who was a staunch supporter of the organization.

“He would have been very ecstatic, he would have been up and down this red carpet, running around, jumping around and screaming. So I’m proud to be here to represent him,” said DJ Knuckles, his longtime friend and collaborator .

“All those beautiful ads we made, that’s the voice of Fatman Scoop, so we had to, how can we not celebrate him?” Lewis-Taylor added.

Leaders at I WILL GRADUATE said they want this moment to set the stage for both academic and personal growth.

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