In a normal year, putting on one graduation ceremony for the city's tens of thousands of high school graduates would be impossible. But, it's not a normal year.

"A lot has been taken from you, that's the truth. But you've gained something too. When you tell people that you're the class of 2020, it will mean something,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

They've had caravans and drive-throughs and Zoom graduations and finally, a citywide ceremony broadcast online and on television featuring celebrity well-wishes and a keynote speech from Bronx native Jennifer Lopez and her fiancé Yankees great Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez noted his successes in baseball, but also his failures.

"I like to say that I have a PhD in failing but I also have a masters in getting back up. You're not going to be measured in how many times you fall but in how many times you stand back up,” said Rodriguez in a speech.

And JLo urged students to rise up against systemic racism and meet the challenges of their era.

"You are summoned now to a higher calling than just going to college or getting a job. You are summoned to create a better world,” said Lopez.

And some valedictorians who didn't get to give their speeches in person this year got a chance to speak to the whole city.

"2020 symbolized perfect vision yet merely a quarter-way through the year; it became difficult to imagine our lives beyond tomorrow. In fact, the uncertainty of these times seems to be the most stressful part, but we've learned so much and we've come so far and today I'm here to remind you just how much we have to celebrate,” said Avaneque Pennant, Valedictorian at York Early College Academy.

The speeches highlighted the challenges students had to overcome to graduate in a year that saw classes go virtual and the obstacles they still hoped to overcome in the future.

"Though we have been chided for being quote-unquote too sensitive, over-parented snowflakes, told that we're foolish kids who don't know any better, we have chosen to stick unwaveringly to our values in the hope that we can secure a better future,” said Sophia Podolsky, Valedictorian, at the High School for Math, Science and Engineering.

The event even included proud parents and families.

"You were born in 2001 and graduated in 2020. The two tragedies that you have faced in those years have only made you stronger,” said one parent.

As one valedictorian put it: "We've made it.”