Students made their way to Brooklyn for the 14th annual I Will Graduate Day, aimed at motivating students to stay in school. 

The over 11,000 kids gathered at Barclays Center on Monday. The event brought out elected officials and celebrities like NLE Choppa to help promote the importance of graduating. 

“Being a role model is a strong thing, a strong influence to have over kids,” said rap star NLE Choppa. “Just being able to be here and tell them something good, for their greater good, can for sure change their perspective on life.” 

Founder and executive director of I Will Graduate Day Tonya Lewis Taylor says she started this event 14 years ago in an effort to combat low graduation and attendance rates in city schools.  

“I want them to know that they’re winners,” said Taylor. “I want them to get focused and stay focused.” 

Dance teams were also there to pep up the crowd, and students even got a warm welcome from New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant.