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Two Oscar Winners Do Chicago Proud

(CBS) – Two Chicagoans nabbed two of the biggest awards at Sunday's Academy Awards.

Rapper and actor Common won for Best Original Song, "Glory," from the civil-rights biopic "Selma," while writer Graham Moore won for Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Imitation Game."

It wasn't just their wins. It was what they did that made Chicago proud.

Chicago icon Oprah Winfrey presented the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay to Chicago native Graham Moore.

Graham Moore, Susan Sher
Screenwriter Graham Moore (L) and Susan Sher attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

In one of the night's most touching moments, Moore said he was inspired to tell the story of tortured genius Alan Turing because he himself felt like a misfit as a teen and had tried to kill himself at age 16.

"I would like this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or she doesn't fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do. You do. Stay weird, stay different and then, when it's your turn, and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along," Moore said.

Those awkward years took place at University of Chicago Lab School, where Moore graduated in 1999. He gets high marks for his moving message.

"He had a passion for humanities and wrote incredibly well," says Robin Appleby.

Another Chicagoan, Lonnie Lynn, better known as Common, brought the audience to tears during the performance of "Glory." Common, in accepting his award, talked about growing up on the South Side, where he often returns to give back to the community.

"I think it sends a message you can make music without it being violent and still being successful," says Che Smith, also known as Rhymefest, who was with Common at the Oscars.

Both Moore and Common attended the Oscars Sunday with their mothers – Susan Sher and Mahalia Ann Hines, respectively.

Another Chicago native took home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Patricia Arquette was born in the city but moved away at a very young age.

Common, Mahalia Ann Hines
Actor Common and his mother Mahalia Ann Hines attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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