PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks, @LosDbacks) will host their seventh annual high school graduation at the team’s academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic today and virtually from Arizona to the D.R. The graduates will hear from D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall, Executive Vice President & General Manager Mike Hazen and Hall’s Senior Advisor and D-backs legend, Luis Gonzalez, among others.

The first-of-its-kind program will see nine students graduate from high school (Emmanuel Acosta, Johan Benitez, Francis Beriguete, Neyfy Castillo, Justin Martinez, Angel Ortiz, Yoscar Pimentel, Jhonny Valdez and Jose Valdez), bringing the total number of 12th-grade graduates to 64 during the first seven years of the program.

“Despite the challenges this last year has seen, these young men committed themselves to their education and that brings tremendous pride to everyone involved in their development as people and as players,” said Hall. “Although we cannot be on hand for a ceremony as we have in years past, we are equally as proud of them for reaching this important day.”

The program stemmed from a 2013 promise made by Hall to then-Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina that the team would provide the youth of his country with the best education among all 30 franchises. The unique part of the D-backs’ program is that prospects continue to have their education funded by the team even if they are no longer playing in the organization. This year’s group of graduates all remain as active players in the academy.

The ceremony will take place today at 3 p.m. local time/12 noon Arizona time, when the players will receive their diplomas. The program includes the players being required to attend school three days per week for four hours with assigned tutors and with weekly progress evaluations performed by the education committee. Students based at the D-backs’ affiliates in the United States are able to continue the program through an online platform. Each student is provided with a laptop computer and the team covers the cost of tuition for each player.