CBS 58 Morning News congratulates class of 2020 with hour-long TV special 🎓
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- High school seniors have faced a school year full of uncertainty. In addition to college applications and finals, they also contended with a pandemic that took away their traditional graduation ceremonies. CBS 58 wanted to do something special and is congratulating the Class of 2020 in an hour-long special Friday, May 22.
Mike Curkov, Pauleen Le and Meghan Reistad of the CBS 58 Morning News will interview 13 of the area’s best and brightest seniors to hear about the challenges they’ve faced. A long list of local celebrities and leaders will share special messages for the Class of 2020, including Governor Tony Evers, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales and comedian Charlie Berens. The seniors will also receive a very special surprise from Milwaukee favorite Jim Gaffigan and his wife Jeannie, a Rufus King High School graduate.
In the first segment (above), we meet the 13 seniors representing southeast Wisconsin's Class of 2020 (Aleezah Manzoor - Grafton, Bridget Brown - Homestead, Brennan Halsey - Bay View, Jada Young - Rufus King, Arielle and Arianna Williams - Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy, Daniel Hall – Walden III High School (Racine), Koffi Koudahenou – Case High School (Racine), Jamy Giles - Reuther Central High School (Kenosha), Jaden Zuzinec - Indian Trail High School and Academy (Kenosha), Colin Hall Menomonee Falls, Robyn George Menomonee Falls and Lily Mottet - West Bend West). And we heard from Brewers play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson and CBS 58 chief meteorologist Drew Burgoyne.
Next, we heard what positives the Class of 2020 are taking out of the pandemic and heard from CBS 58 anchors Amanda Porterfield and Bill Walsh. We also got some positivity from the Greenfield HS Class of 2020 and Bucks DJ, DJ Shawna and some words of encouragement from Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.
In our next segment, Wisconsin senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin congratulated the graduates and we heard where our what our 13 seniors personal plans are for the future. We also heard the story of Arielle and Arianna Williams and their $1 million in scholarship awards. Finally, our first performance of the night was 'The Way Home' from the Waukesha West High School senior choir.
The second half of our salute to the Class of 2020 began with a surprise Zoom bomb from Jim and Jeannie Gaffigan. Jeannie is a Rufus King alum. We also had a special message from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and CBS 58 anchor Natalie Shepherd.
Our next segment featured shout outs from CBS 58 anchor Mike Strehlow and Packers legend LeRoy Butler and a tribute to the class of 2020 from the Reagan IB High School student and alumni choir singing 'The Parting Glass.'
Next, we heard what our 13 seniors long term hopes were for the entire Class of 2020 in Wisconsin and beyond. Manitowoc Minute host Charlie Berens advised our graduates to "Keep Er Movin," MPD Chief Alfonso Morales offered his congratulations and we heard from CBS 58 sports director Kevin Holden.
To finish out the CBS 58 Morning News Congratulates the Class of 2020 special, Milwaukee Bucks star D.J. Wilson had a message for the seniors and then the Grafton High School senior choir brought us to a close with a beautiful rendition of 'Home' by Phillip Phillips.
Many other seniors and schools were featured throughout the show as part of our online yearbook which you can see here. CLICK HERE to submit a photo of your grad.
The special aired on WMLW at 7 a.m. Thursday, May 21 and with special prime time editions on CBS 58 at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22 and on WMLW, Saturday at 8 p.m. May 23.