Nationally Recognized School hosts Presidential Speech
By Kayla Branham
President Barack Obama attempted to motivate American students yesterday with his Back to School speech. It was held at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration Middle-High School in Philadelphia, PA. The school received a National Blue Ribbon for its many achievements. The speech was given in the school auditorium full of a jubilant crowd waiting in anticipation to hear the words of the president. People of all ages, genders and races greeted the president with a standing ovation ready to hear the inspiring words given to students to keep up the good work during the tough economic times.
Many prominent people were in attendance at the speech including, governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Congressman Chaka Fattah, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz and Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. President Obama began by empathizing with the students going through tough time with the economic recession and the war in Afghanistan.
His main message of the speech is to remind students to never give up on their own education. “So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single that any of you cannot accomplish, not a single thing. I believe that,” Obama told American students.
He wanted to emphasize that hard work can get a person anywhere in life. An education is the most important thing a person can obtain to succeed in life. Obama related his own education to today’s youth encouraging students that someday any boy or girl may become president of the U.S. “I wasn’t always the best student when I was younger. I made my share of mistakes,” he said. “And I know that if hard work could make the difference for me, then it can make a difference for all of you,” Obama said ending his reminiscent story. Throughout the entire speech the audience sat attentive and in awe of the words that the president was conveying to the young Americans listening. A long applause at the end displayed the positive reaction to the final thoughts of Obama. “We all have to take responsibilities for our own education. We need to take responsibility for our own lives,” was an ending thought that encompassed the entire speech.
