Graduation won't come with all the usual pomp and circumstance for the class of 2020, but Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan did his best to make every graduate feel like a Stanley Cup champion.
Sullivan delivered an inspiring message of hope that was posted to the Penguins' Twitter account on Friday.
His two-minute speech had encouraging words for graduates who are entering the next phases of their lives during the difficult times of the COVID-19 global pandemic:
"This may not be the commencement you had hoped for. Your day may not include family and friends celebrating together. Your photos may look much different than you expected. And you may not even get to hold your well-deserved diploma in your hand.
But it is important to remember that the pride everyone has in each and every one of you will remain great today and always. And the pride you have in yourselves should not waver. You have truly accomplished something great.
I wish I could give you an easy answer of what lies ahead; one that ensures you come out of this and fulfill your dreams sooner rather than later. But life works in funny ways. The uneasiness you feel right now is normal. How you bottle these feelings up and use them to your benefit will determine how you come through this uncertain time.
Perhaps life is secretly teaching you one more lesson, and what you learn from this lesson is up to you. You are the only one that controls your response. You can choose to start each day with the right attitude. You can choose to remain positive and open to new norms. You can choose to dedicate this time to being the best you that you can be. I am a firm believer that something good will prevail when these times end.
I hope that for you, this time has helped to bring you closer to you loved ones. I hope it has brought clarity and allowed you to prioritize your life. I hope it will allow people to be more tolerant of one another.
The uncertain times make focusing on your future difficult but look at the perspective it has put on what matters now. Maybe things in the past aren't as burdensome as once seen. Maybe in the big picture, we're all slowing down to embrace the bright, beautiful future that lies ahead.
Today, be mindful of the good and celebrate the positives. I wish you success, I wish you health, and most importantly, I wish you happiness.
Congratulations to all of the high school and college graduating classes of 2020."
Sullivan's speech wasn't his only kind gesture during the NHL pause. He and his wife Kate recently surprised seniors at two Pittsburgh-area supermarkets
