MIAMI (WSVN) - Graduates of Pitbull’s Sports Leadership and Management Academy High School weren’t able to get a normal graduation ceremony, but the superstar provided them with gifts while picking up their caps and gowns.
On Thursday morning, 151 seniors of the charter school made their way to a drive-thru cap and gown pickup parade held at the Miami campus.
Students received their caps and gowns at the drive-thru event, as well as pre-graduation gifts.
The gift boxes that students received included a Coolpad Legacy S device with two $50 Re-Boost cards for two months of prepaid Boost Mobile service. The seniors were also able to participate in a contest to win a $100 gift card for having the best-decorated car showcasing school and class spirit.
The drive-thru graduation parade was unique and special for the students because they’re the very first class at S.L.A.M. from sixth grade to finish with their senior year.
“It means so much to me because I worked so hard for this moment for so many years,” said graduate Amanda Milian, “and finally being able to be there with my family and with the people who mean the most to me, it’s been very fun, to say the least.”
Milian’s father, Larry Milian, was one of her teachers at the school.
“Seeing my daughter be a part of that, I’m borderline speechless. It brought me to tears,” he said. “I’ve got to be honest with you: I didn’t expect to be so overwhelmed by it.”
Pitbull helped create the first S.L.A.M. charter school in 2013. He worked hands-on to make the graduates feel accomplished even with the coronavirus pandemic forcing the school to cancel their graduation ceremony.
“This particular school is in his neighborhood,” said S.L.A.M. CEO Millie Sanchez. “This is the reason he helped found this S.L.A.M. building, it was the fact that he lived here. He didn’t graduate from high school [but] he wants to show these kids how important that is. He does a lot for us. This, I’d like to say is kind of his second home. He’s been taking a lot of online meetings from here, so yes, he’s very, very involved.”
This type of celebration for S.L.A.M. graduates is happening all across the country. Miami is one of 10 cities with schools started by Pitbull.
“We call him our ambassador, because on the foundation he’s the one going out there and getting everything he does,” said Sanchez. “He does a lot for the kids, and he makes sure that that message to these kids is, ‘You have to get an education. A career, an education is the way to go. You have to work hard.'”
The graduating seniors will have a virtual graduation during the first week of June.
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