Talk show host and New Orleans native Ellen Degeneres surprised a group of high school graduates in St. Tammany parish with gifts of $10,000.
The eight all work at a Slidell-area Winn Dixie and had their graduation ceremonies canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their store managers held a graduation ceremony for the students, which caught Degeneres' attention.
"I love this story so much," Degeneres said. "It's hard for everyone, but when you're graduating, and your whole, final, senior year was cut short, that must really hurt."
In a video link-up during her show, the students told Degeneres that having this time of their life disrupted like that is a disappointment, but they understood that sacrifices had to be made for the greater good.
Watch the video below:
