Students at Hillwood High School are ready to welcome the face of NBC News to Nashville.

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams is set to speak at Hillwood’s graduation on Thursday, and the school is buzzing with excitement.

Hillwood students enticed Williams with a special video inviting him to Music City, and he accepted live on the air during a Channel 4 newscast last month.

“Even though we have a celebrity coming in and a lot of hoopla, it still comes down to our kids and the things they’ve achieved,” said Hillwood Principal Dr. Steve Chauncy.

Channel 4 asked Williams about the visit and whether he gets as much excitement as the students do.

“Oh, absolutely,” he said. “I have not given a high school commencement since I was invited back to give my own, and I try to accept a college commencement every year. It’s been a pleasing part of my job that people care to ask.”

The ceremony on Thursday takes place on the campus of Lipscomb University.
WSMV Channel 4