GRAND GIFT FOR EACH GRAD

More than 150 Roxbury Community College graduates got more than just a diploma Friday. They got a gift of $1,000.

Celtics co-owner Rob Hale sprung the surprise on them, giving each graduate $a500 to spend on themselves and another $500 to give to someone who had helped them or to a charity of their choice.

“It was shocking,” said Tiara Dunbar, 28, of Dorchester. “It’s the most generous gift anyone could give … We weren’t expecting it at all. This is definitely the biggest gift I’ve ever received. It got proven today that everyone really is for us.”

Dunbar said she was going to hold onto the envelopes the gifts came in and “cherish” them because of the donation and they came in envelopes decorated by children.

She was a full-time student majoring in early childhood education and plans to use the money toward buying a home with the help of the Boston Housing Authority’s SelfSufficiency Program and running a childcare center out of it.

Hale, the keynote speaker at the graduation, advised the graduates to follow their hearts, give more than they get and “don’t let fear of failure define you.”

Anetra Warren called Hale’s donation a “blessing and said she plans to give $500 to the dance program she runs and use the rest to pay her bills and “put food on the table.”

“I was shell-shocked,” she said. “I’m speechless.”

Warren, 35, of Roxbury, said she fled her abusive partner and came to Boston in 2014 from Virginia, with nothing more than $200 on her at the time along with a 1-year-old daughter, her 4-year-old son, a stroller and one suitcase.

She plans to continue her education and become a lawyer one day, she said. For now, she’s working as a home health aide.

Christina Samedi, 25, of Roxbury, also said she was “shocked” by Hale’s gift and plans to save it so that she can get her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Olusegun Aedeyemo, 53, of Randolph, said the donation lifted his spirits, and he plans to use it to “put a smile on some people’s faces.”

Sitarah Clark said she felt “overwhelmed” by the gift and planned to put it toward family expenses, including a car.

Marcia Sharpe was so moved by what Hale had done that it brought tears to her eyes

“How did I feel? Excited, unbelievable, grateful,” said Sharpe, 55, of Framingham.

She said she hadn’t made up her mind yet what she was going to do with the money.

AMANDA SABGA PHOTOS / BOSTON HERALD SURPRISE!: Graduate Anetra Warren, center, reacts as commencement speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, presents them each with $1000 during Roxbury Community College’s 46th commencement ceremonies at the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13.

‘SHOCKED’: Graduates react with a flood of emotions as commencement speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, presenting them each with $1,000.

GREATEST GRAD GIFT: Wiley Cole-Shipman, 7, reacts after commencement speaker Robert Hale presents him with a $100 bill, as he accompanies his mom Tiara Dunbar across the stage.