One of rap's biggest stars brought more than 230 Flint Community Schools graduates to their feet Tuesday evening at the Dort Event Center with just the sound of his voice.
Prior to the seniors crossing the stage to applause from parents and friends, a picture of Eminem flashed onto four large screens high above the arena floor.
"What's up Class of 2017? This is Eminem. I just want to say congratulations to the graduating seniors of Flint Northwestern, Flint Southwestern and Flint Accelerated Learning Academy," blared the rapper's voice. "Congrats to all your guys' hard work, man. You earned this moment."
After Eminem's acknowledgment, the graduates all learned they wouldn't just be receiving their diplomas. The rapper's foundation would also help provide a new set of Beats by Dre headphones to each graduate.
Flint Northwestern senior Betty Davis, 18, was surprised after learning about the headphones being handed out to all the graduates.
"I thought he was just going to give his speech on the speaker and it just was going to be that," she said. "I greatly appreciate Eminem for giving out like he did. He didn't have to and the fact that he can see so much potential in Flint and Flint students, it just makes the gift so much more worth keeping."
Eminem and his Marshall Mathers Foundation reached out to the school district with the idea, according to Flint schools Superintendent Bilal Tawwab.
"I commend him for being very genuine, not really looking for all the attention, media hype, just really doing something for kids," Tawwab said. "We're really excited to be able to surprise them this evening (with the gift)."
It's the second giveaway by the rapper and his foundation to Flint schools, following more than 240 backpacks stuffed with supplies given away in August 2016 to Freeman Elementary students.
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