The Los Angeles Rams purchased caps and gowns for more than 350 Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) graduating seniors for the third consecutive year. As part of the effort, the Rams hosted a celebratory event for all of the graduating seniors from City Honors International Preparatory High School, Inglewood High School and Morningside High School in their locker room at SoFi Stadium.
Royal Enriquez, Morningside High School senior, said the visit was his first time to SoFi Stadium and he was grateful for the experience.
Caps and gowns were on display to motivate students to make the final push to graduation before they pick up the gowns at their schools. Graduates also enjoyed cupcakes from Certified #RamsHouse Sweet Red Peach. On Thursday, June 6 seniors from all three schools received their diplomas during graduation at Caroline Coleman Stadium.
"I feel such pride and exuberance because of what it took for them to get here," said Dr. Bernadette C. Lucas, IUSD chief academic officer. "It's a journey to go through elementary, middle and high school and to be successful and graduate with the joy that these students are graduating with."
Anna Marie Baker, Morningside High School senior and associated student body president, expressed how much it meant that the Rams purchased their caps and gowns to ensure each senior would have one to wear the day of graduation. She added her gratitude as she recognized not many students have the experience of celebrating their graduation in an NFL team's locker room.
"The Rams have been a phenomenal partner. Whatever need the district has for the students, the Rams step in and do it. When I ran into Molly Higgins and she brought up the idea of celebrating our seniors, it was a win-win for everyone," added Dr. Lucas.
"Today is the perfect reminder of the platform that [the Rams] have to create special memories and impact lives. That was on full display at SoFi [Stadium] today," said Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement Molly Higgins. "The smiles and the laughter are something that, hopefully, they'll cherish forever."
Since the Rams returned home to Los Angeles in 2016, players, coaches and front office staff have provided more than 2,000 hours of community service in the Inglewood community and impacted IUSD students in a variety of ways including hosting PLAY 60 Field Days, distributing copies of the team's children's book Ride with Rampage through the Rams Readers program, providing the entire district with Rams House t-shirts, supporting the girls' flag football programs at Inglewood High School and Morningside High School, helping fund the new field at Caroline Coleman Stadium and more. Since 2021, the Rams have purchased caps and gowns for more than 870 IUSD graduating seniors.
For more information about the Rams' community outreach efforts, visit www.therams.com/community.
