‘Somewhere’
A Reason To Smile
DAN RATHER AND TEAM STEADY
JUN 8
Every year during Harvard’s graduation ceremony, the university bestows honorary degrees on a handful of accomplished people. At this year’s 374th Harvard Commencement, one of those accomplished people was award-winning actress, singer, and dancer Rita Moreno. The legendary entertainer and EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) winner was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts.
Moreno won the 1962 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story.” When her honorary degree was announced, the actress was surprised with a musical tribute. Carolyn Hao, a rising senior, sang “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” to Moreno with Henry Wu, class of 2025, accompanying her on the piano.
Moreno, with tears in her eyes, joined Hao as she sang the final note.
The fact that Hao is an international student was likely no accident, considering Harvard’s fight with the Trump administration over its ability to enroll international students. At the start of the ceremony, university president Alan Garber welcomed the graduates “from down the street, across the country and around the world … just as it should be.”
Written by Leonard Bernstein, Harvard class of 1939, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the song is about hope, hope of love surviving “somehow, someday, somewhere,” and believing that there is “still a place for us.” A most apt sentiment.
If you want to enjoy all the songs chosen for A Reason To Smile, you can listen to this Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly.
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Stay steady,
Dan
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