Michigan high school grads sent off by Obama
Source: Agencies |
June 9, 2010, Wednesday
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THE prize in a national competition for commencement speaker, President Barack Obama handed out diplomas and a few hugs as the 280 graduates of Kalamazoo Central High School filed across a stage in maroon and white gowns.
One part of Obama's message on Monday night was a familiar one for commencement season: work hard and think of others. Less so was his encouragement to ignore those who make excuses for their problems and blame others for their failures.
"We see it every day out in Washington," the president said, "with folks calling each other names and making all sorts of accusations on TV."
Obama said the high school kids can do better than that. "I think that America has a lot to learn from Kalamazoo Central about what makes for a successful school in this new century," he told some 5,000 people packed into the basketball arena at Western Michigan University. "It's the key to our future."
Said graduating senior Zack Heystek: "It definitely helps to hear that message, especially from the person who said it. It was very inspiring. And it was awesome to meet him. The blood was just flowing and it was just crazy."
The 1,700-student school in southwest Michigan bested more than 1,000 other schools. The White House cited Kalamazoo Central's 80 percent-plus graduation rate, improvements in academic performance and a culturally rich curriculum.
"You could have made excuses - our kids have fewer advantages, our schools have fewer resources, so how can we compete?" the president said.
"But instead, you came together. You were honest with yourselves about where you were falling short. And you resolved to do better."
The White House said more than 170,000 people voted in the competition. Cincinnati's Clark Montessori Junior High and High School and the Denver School of Science and Technology were the other finalists.
About an hour before the graduates filed into the arena, Obama surprised them by dropping into the recreation center as they got ready.
Walking around with a microphone, Obama told the students to work hard, keep their eyes on the prize and continue to carry a sense of excellence.
"There is nothing you can't accomplish," he said, adding that they should consider public service. "I might be warming up the seat for you."
One part of Obama's message on Monday night was a familiar one for commencement season: work hard and think of others. Less so was his encouragement to ignore those who make excuses for their problems and blame others for their failures.
"We see it every day out in Washington," the president said, "with folks calling each other names and making all sorts of accusations on TV."
Obama said the high school kids can do better than that. "I think that America has a lot to learn from Kalamazoo Central about what makes for a successful school in this new century," he told some 5,000 people packed into the basketball arena at Western Michigan University. "It's the key to our future."
Said graduating senior Zack Heystek: "It definitely helps to hear that message, especially from the person who said it. It was very inspiring. And it was awesome to meet him. The blood was just flowing and it was just crazy."
The 1,700-student school in southwest Michigan bested more than 1,000 other schools. The White House cited Kalamazoo Central's 80 percent-plus graduation rate, improvements in academic performance and a culturally rich curriculum.
"You could have made excuses - our kids have fewer advantages, our schools have fewer resources, so how can we compete?" the president said.
"But instead, you came together. You were honest with yourselves about where you were falling short. And you resolved to do better."
The White House said more than 170,000 people voted in the competition. Cincinnati's Clark Montessori Junior High and High School and the Denver School of Science and Technology were the other finalists.
About an hour before the graduates filed into the arena, Obama surprised them by dropping into the recreation center as they got ready.
Walking around with a microphone, Obama told the students to work hard, keep their eyes on the prize and continue to carry a sense of excellence.
"There is nothing you can't accomplish," he said, adding that they should consider public service. "I might be warming up the seat for you."
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