Celtics director surprises graduates at Mass. college with $1,000 each

The keynote speaker at a Massachusetts school’s graduation Friday didn’t simply depart graduates with a pair phrases of knowledge. He left them with chilly laborious money.

After giving his graduation handle to the Class of 2022 at Roxbury Group Faculty, Rob Hale, the co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, stunned the college’s 150-plus graduates with $1,000 every.

Hale specified $500 would go to every pupil’s private spending and the opposite $500 would go to every graduate to donate to a company or particular person of their selecting that wants the cash greater than them.

“You’ve got persevered in turbulent occasions. … You’ve got lived via issues different generations didn’t need to. You’re leaders. You’re employees. And try to be proud, and we’re proud, and we wish to share in that pleasure with you,” Hale advised the Class of 2022 earlier than saying his shock reward to the graduates.

His announcement of the $1,000 award to every pupil was met with applause, cheers and a standing ovation.

“The pandemic has heightened our want for sharing, caring and giving. Our group wants your assist greater than it ever has earlier than,” Hale advised the group.

Earlier than saying his reward to every member of the Class of 2022, Hale gave his graduation speech by which he talked about his profession journey and the trials and tribulations he skilled. He spoke concerning the significance of philanthropy and recommended graduates for persevering via “turbulent occasions.”

“What an amazing day. It’s lovely out. You’re about to graduate. You’ve weathered turbulent occasions, and immediately is the end result of all that. It’s about to get higher. Like proper now, it’s going to get higher,” he mentioned towards the beginning of the speech.

He advised the graduates they’re leaders and “the world wants [their] optimistic affect now greater than ever.”

“Bottomline, the message that I would like you to listen to from leaders higher than me: You’re a pacesetter. You’re. That is the reality. You’re a chief,” Hale mentioned. “I’m 55. I’ve by no means seen turmoil like we’ve seen previously couple years in America, and also you persevered in that turmoil. I’m pretty sure there are many the reason why you didn’t need to graduate immediately, and but, you probably did, so you’re a chief. Don’t let a worry of failure outline you. Defy it, and you’ll have a significantly better life for it.”

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