Kermit the Frog tells University of Maryland grads to “stay connected to your dreams” in heartfelt speech

Kermit the Frog has a bit of advice for the graduating students of the University of Maryland.

As seen in videos circulating online, the iconic Muppet was invited out on to the stage to deliver a commencement speech at the University on Thursday night, where he urged the graduating pupils to always follow their dreams. The frog, clad in a mini cap and gown, said:

"I realize that today is one of the most important days of your lives, so I am honored to share some words of wisdom about three things that are close to my heart--Finding your people, taking the leap, and making connections"

However, he also added a word of caution for them:

"But the show must go on," he said. "And if you're with your people, you won't have to do it alone because life is not a solo act. It's a big, messy, delightful ensemble piece, especially when you're with your people."

Read Kermit the Frog's full speech to the fresh graduates below:

For the unversed, Kermit the Frog's creator, Jim Henson, was an alum of the University of Maryland. During his speech, the frog credited his creator with teaching him about life and how to navigate his goals. He said:

"Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side because life is better when we leap together"

Kermit the Frog noted that he was speaking to the fresh graduates in hopes that his "words of wisdom about some of the things that are very important to me" would resonate with them. He shared:

"Graduating from college or school of any kind is a huge milestone with a lot of big changes in store for some people. You might start applying for jobs or grad school or paying rent or or taking a gap year to backpack in Europe, stuff like that"

He added:

"Life is not a solo act. It's a big, messy, delightful ensemble piece, especially when you're with your people."

Before he led the crowd in song, Kermit the Frog concluded his speech by noting:

"Because if I know a thing, it's important to stay connected to your loved ones, stay connected to your friends, and most of all, stay connected to your dreams — no matter how big, no matter how impossible they seem. The truth is, dreams are how we figure out where we want to go, and life is how we get there."

Shortly after, the Muppets favorite spoke to People Magazine about what it meant to him to speak at the school. He said:

"I have been working my tail off — not literally because I lost that a long time ago when I was a tadpole — but this is one of the most important days of the graduates' life so far"

Kermit the Frog also noted that he delivered his speech in the hopes that his "words of wisdom about some of the things that are very important to me" would resonate with the fresh graduates. He shared.

"Graduating from college or school of any kind is a huge milestone with a lot of big changes in store for some people. You might start applying for jobs or grad school or paying rent or or taking a gap year to backpack in Europe, stuff like that"

As a takeaway, he added:

"I hope that some of my own life lessons that I talked about, like finding your people and and taking the leap and and making connections"

Kermit the Frog also noted:

"Because if I know a thing, it's important to stay connected to your loved ones, stay connected to your friends, and most of all, stay connected to your dreams — no matter how big, no matter how impossible they seem. The truth is, dreams are how we figure out where we want to go and life is how we get there."

Kermit the Frog concluded his statement with the magazine with a few more cents:

"Some of my best advice is, it's your story. So, set your sights on your dreams and keep writing new chapters," he shared. "Hey, it's like we said at the very end of The Muppet Movie — 'Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.' I can't think of any advice better than that."

Kermit the Frog is not new to speaking at colleges, as he delivered his last speech at Southampton College in 1996.

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