In behind-the-scenes footage, see how winning Memphis high school seniors landed a visit from the commander in chief.
By James Montgomery
Students at Booker T. Washington High School celebrate after winning President Obama's 2011 "Race to the Top"
Photo: MTV News
Last month, the class of 2011 at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis got the thrill of their lives when President Obama delivered the commencement speech at their graduation.
It was their prize for winning the second annual "Race to the Top" challenge, a nationwide competition sponsored by Viacom, the Get Schooled Foundation and, of course, the White House. The contest aims to find the school that best prepares its students for college and beyond, and the seniors at Booker T. created a video that showcased not only its accomplishments (math scores 20 percent higher than the state average, a 30 percent increase in graduation rates), but its resiliency too.
After all,...
By James Montgomery
Students at Booker T. Washington High School celebrate after winning President Obama's 2011 "Race to the Top"
Photo: MTV News
Last month, the class of 2011 at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis got the thrill of their lives when President Obama delivered the commencement speech at their graduation.
It was their prize for winning the second annual "Race to the Top" challenge, a nationwide competition sponsored by Viacom, the Get Schooled Foundation and, of course, the White House. The contest aims to find the school that best prepares its students for college and beyond, and the seniors at Booker T. created a video that showcased not only its accomplishments (math scores 20 percent higher than the state average, a 30 percent increase in graduation rates), but its resiliency too.
After all,...
- 6/14/2011
- MTV Music News
Winners of White House's 2011 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge got surprise of their lives at graduation ceremony.
By James Montgomery
President Obama meets with Booker T. Washington students Cassandra and Christopher
Photo: Andrew Huang / MTV News & Docs
Four years ago, Cassandra Henderson didn't want to attend Booker T. Washington High School because, as she put it, "I thought the same as everyone else: that it was a bad school with nothing but bad people in it." Now? Well, let's just say she's changed her opinion.
That's because, thanks to the commitment of Principal Alisha Kiner, the faculty and the students, not only has Booker T. Washington changed public opinion (posting math scores that are 20 percent higher and a 30 percent increase in graduation tends to do that), it has earned the attention of the nation, too, as the winner of the 2011 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, a competition sponsored by Viacom,...
By James Montgomery
President Obama meets with Booker T. Washington students Cassandra and Christopher
Photo: Andrew Huang / MTV News & Docs
Four years ago, Cassandra Henderson didn't want to attend Booker T. Washington High School because, as she put it, "I thought the same as everyone else: that it was a bad school with nothing but bad people in it." Now? Well, let's just say she's changed her opinion.
That's because, thanks to the commitment of Principal Alisha Kiner, the faculty and the students, not only has Booker T. Washington changed public opinion (posting math scores that are 20 percent higher and a 30 percent increase in graduation tends to do that), it has earned the attention of the nation, too, as the winner of the 2011 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, a competition sponsored by Viacom,...
- 5/16/2011
- MTV Music News
Voters have until Thursday to score the six high schools in the 'Race to the Top Commencement Challenge.'
By MTV News Staff
President Barack Obama
Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images
Voting is under way in the White House's "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge," and you have until this Thursday to weigh in on which school will win the honor and distinction of having President Obama deliver the commencement address at their graduation. Last year Michigan's Kalamazoo Central High School won and now there are six new schools looking to take the prize in 2011.
With the help of the White House, the Department of Education and Viacom's Get Schooled foundation, each school made a video that represents why it deserves to win. At WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement, you can view and score the videos from Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport, Washington); Wayne Early Middle College High School (Goldsboro, North Carolina...
By MTV News Staff
President Barack Obama
Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images
Voting is under way in the White House's "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge," and you have until this Thursday to weigh in on which school will win the honor and distinction of having President Obama deliver the commencement address at their graduation. Last year Michigan's Kalamazoo Central High School won and now there are six new schools looking to take the prize in 2011.
With the help of the White House, the Department of Education and Viacom's Get Schooled foundation, each school made a video that represents why it deserves to win. At WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement, you can view and score the videos from Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport, Washington); Wayne Early Middle College High School (Goldsboro, North Carolina...
- 4/25/2011
- MTV Music News
Nominate your school for the opportunity to have the president speak at your high school graduation.
By Terri Schwartz
President Barack Obama
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
There's only one day left to nominate your school for the privilege of having President Barack Obama as the commencement speaker at your high school graduation.
MTV's parent company, Viacom, and the Get Schooled foundation have teamed up with the White House for this year's annual Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, and with the initial deadline for the competition extended through March 11 at 11:59 pm Est, the minutes are ticking away until a winner is picked. Applications can be submitted through the White House's website.
President Obama himself will pick the winning school based on the preparation it provides its students for college and beyond. In a statement, he said, "I'm looking for a school that understands the number-one priority is making...
By Terri Schwartz
President Barack Obama
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
There's only one day left to nominate your school for the privilege of having President Barack Obama as the commencement speaker at your high school graduation.
MTV's parent company, Viacom, and the Get Schooled foundation have teamed up with the White House for this year's annual Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, and with the initial deadline for the competition extended through March 11 at 11:59 pm Est, the minutes are ticking away until a winner is picked. Applications can be submitted through the White House's website.
President Obama himself will pick the winning school based on the preparation it provides its students for college and beyond. In a statement, he said, "I'm looking for a school that understands the number-one priority is making...
- 3/10/2011
- MTV Music News
Nominate your school for the opportunity to have the president speak at your high school graduation.
By Terri Schwartz
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
There's only one day left to nominate your school for the privilege of having President Barack Obama as the commencement speaker at your high school graduation.
MTV's parent company, Viacom, and the Get Schooled foundation have teamed up with the White House for this year's annual Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, and with the initial deadline for the competition extended through March 11 at 11:59 pm Est, the minutes are ticking away until a winner is picked. Applications can be submitted through the White House's website. President Obama himself will pick the winning school based on the preparation it provides its students for college and beyond. In a statement, he said, "I'm looking for a school that understands the number-one priority is making sure that our...
By Terri Schwartz
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
There's only one day left to nominate your school for the privilege of having President Barack Obama as the commencement speaker at your high school graduation.
MTV's parent company, Viacom, and the Get Schooled foundation have teamed up with the White House for this year's annual Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, and with the initial deadline for the competition extended through March 11 at 11:59 pm Est, the minutes are ticking away until a winner is picked. Applications can be submitted through the White House's website. President Obama himself will pick the winning school based on the preparation it provides its students for college and beyond. In a statement, he said, "I'm looking for a school that understands the number-one priority is making sure that our...
- 3/10/2011
- MTV Music News
Students can continue to nominate their schools until March 11.
By MTV News staff
President Barack Obama
Photo: Comedy Central
In partnership with MTV's parent company Viacom and the Get Schooled Foundation, the White House is continuing an annual tradition by hosting the 2011 "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge," a competition among the nation's public high schools that aims to find the school that best prepares its students for college and beyond. However, despite the race's previously announced rules, the competition has extended its deadline to March 11, giving students two more weeks to enter their schools in the competition and win the coveted graduation-day visit from President Obama himself.
President Obama shared his excitement over the challenge in a statement that read: "I'm looking for a school that understands the number-one priority is making sure that our kids are learning what they need to succeed in this 21st-century economy."
Students can...
By MTV News staff
President Barack Obama
Photo: Comedy Central
In partnership with MTV's parent company Viacom and the Get Schooled Foundation, the White House is continuing an annual tradition by hosting the 2011 "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge," a competition among the nation's public high schools that aims to find the school that best prepares its students for college and beyond. However, despite the race's previously announced rules, the competition has extended its deadline to March 11, giving students two more weeks to enter their schools in the competition and win the coveted graduation-day visit from President Obama himself.
President Obama shared his excitement over the challenge in a statement that read: "I'm looking for a school that understands the number-one priority is making sure that our kids are learning what they need to succeed in this 21st-century economy."
Students can...
- 2/22/2011
- MTV Music News
Winning school gets a graduation-day visit from President Obama.
By MTV News staff
President Barack Obama discusses the Commencement Challenge with Simon Boehme, a freshman at the University of Michigan, during a Get Schooled taping in the Library of the White House on January 21
Photo: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson
The White House is once again teaming with MTV's parent company Viacom and the Get Schooled Foundation for the 2011 "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge," a competition among the nation's public high schools that aims to find the school that best prepares its students for college and beyond. And the winning school will get a graduation-day visit from President Obama himself.
"I'm looking for a school that understands the number one priority is making sure that our kids are learning what they need to succeed in this 21st century economy," President Obama said in a statement.
Beginning Tuesday...
By MTV News staff
President Barack Obama discusses the Commencement Challenge with Simon Boehme, a freshman at the University of Michigan, during a Get Schooled taping in the Library of the White House on January 21
Photo: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson
The White House is once again teaming with MTV's parent company Viacom and the Get Schooled Foundation for the 2011 "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge," a competition among the nation's public high schools that aims to find the school that best prepares its students for college and beyond. And the winning school will get a graduation-day visit from President Obama himself.
"I'm looking for a school that understands the number one priority is making sure that our kids are learning what they need to succeed in this 21st century economy," President Obama said in a statement.
Beginning Tuesday...
- 2/1/2011
- MTV Music News
Singer visited Howard University to launch the $10,000 Get Schooled: College Affordability Challenge.
By Alexandra Bradshaw
John Legend
Photo: MTV
Grammy-winning singer John Legend surprised a class at Howard University last week, when he showed up to help kick off the Get Schooled: College Affordability Challenge, calling on current and aspiring college students to propose innovative digital tools to simplify the process of finding funding for school. The singer also became the class' guest teacher for the day for an upcoming episode of mtvU's "Stand In."
"Too many of our people are still living in consistent poverty, living in a country where opportunities are not equal," Legend told the class. "Educational inequality is the reality that where a child is born, what color that child is and/or how much money that child's parents make determine the quality of his or her education and life prospects. That's not just,...
By Alexandra Bradshaw
John Legend
Photo: MTV
Grammy-winning singer John Legend surprised a class at Howard University last week, when he showed up to help kick off the Get Schooled: College Affordability Challenge, calling on current and aspiring college students to propose innovative digital tools to simplify the process of finding funding for school. The singer also became the class' guest teacher for the day for an upcoming episode of mtvU's "Stand In."
"Too many of our people are still living in consistent poverty, living in a country where opportunities are not equal," Legend told the class. "Educational inequality is the reality that where a child is born, what color that child is and/or how much money that child's parents make determine the quality of his or her education and life prospects. That's not just,...
- 9/20/2010
- MTV Music News
Calling it a "Rosa Parks moment," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan put a momentous stamp on the upcoming release of Davis Guggenheim's education-reform documentary "Waiting for Superman."
The occasion was the film's Wednesday night Washington premiere, organized by distributor Paramount Vantage, with a screening at the Newseum followed by a Q&A with notables involved in the film. That it will have the impact on public policy Parks' actions ultimately had on the civil rights movement might be unlikely, but a good portion of Washington's political class attended the event to further investigate the subject matter.
In addition to Duncan and several others from his Education Department staff, David Axelrod, senior adviser to President Obama; Melody Barnes, head of the president's Domestic Policy Council; Heather Higginbottom, deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy; Rep. Jane Harman; Rep. Mary Bono Mack; Sen. Al Franken; Sen. Scott Brown; Sen. Christopher Dodd; and Sen.
The occasion was the film's Wednesday night Washington premiere, organized by distributor Paramount Vantage, with a screening at the Newseum followed by a Q&A with notables involved in the film. That it will have the impact on public policy Parks' actions ultimately had on the civil rights movement might be unlikely, but a good portion of Washington's political class attended the event to further investigate the subject matter.
In addition to Duncan and several others from his Education Department staff, David Axelrod, senior adviser to President Obama; Melody Barnes, head of the president's Domestic Policy Council; Heather Higginbottom, deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy; Rep. Jane Harman; Rep. Mary Bono Mack; Sen. Al Franken; Sen. Scott Brown; Sen. Christopher Dodd; and Sen.
- 9/16/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
'The farther you go in school, the farther you'll go in life,' he says during his annual back-to-school speech.
By Gil Kaufman
President Obama greets students in Philadelphia
Photo: Tim Sloan/ Afp/ Getty Images
President Barack Obama gave the second "back-to-school" speech of his presidency on Tuesday (September 14), and his message was very clear. "Nobody gets to write your destiny but you," he told the students at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia. "Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing — absolutely nothing — is beyond your reach. So long as you're willing to dream big. So long as you're willing to work hard. So long as you're willing to stay focused on your education."
That hope-filled exhortation to the National Blue Ribbon School, one of the best in Philly due to its students' high achievement, was aimed both...
By Gil Kaufman
President Obama greets students in Philadelphia
Photo: Tim Sloan/ Afp/ Getty Images
President Barack Obama gave the second "back-to-school" speech of his presidency on Tuesday (September 14), and his message was very clear. "Nobody gets to write your destiny but you," he told the students at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia. "Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing — absolutely nothing — is beyond your reach. So long as you're willing to dream big. So long as you're willing to work hard. So long as you're willing to stay focused on your education."
That hope-filled exhortation to the National Blue Ribbon School, one of the best in Philly due to its students' high achievement, was aimed both...
- 9/14/2010
- MTV Music News
Xavier Bolden is the star of Kalamazoo Central High School's "We Are The Giants" video, which bested entries from more than 1,000 schools and won the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge." So Bolden was partially responsible for bringing President Barack Obama to town to give the commencement speech at Central's graduation ceremony.
And while his spoken-word performance in the video is strong, it was just another role to him. After all, he's his own harshest critic.
"To be honest, it was just another performance for me. I've been acting since I was in middle school, and here at Central, too," Bolden told MTV News. "So, yeah, it's amazing we won, and it's very humbling, but you know, I still don't like the performance that much. I guess I'm hard on myself, but I think our school is about a lot more than just me doing some slam poetry.
And while his spoken-word performance in the video is strong, it was just another role to him. After all, he's his own harshest critic.
"To be honest, it was just another performance for me. I've been acting since I was in middle school, and here at Central, too," Bolden told MTV News. "So, yeah, it's amazing we won, and it's very humbling, but you know, I still don't like the performance that much. I guess I'm hard on myself, but I think our school is about a lot more than just me doing some slam poetry.
- 6/8/2010
- by James Montgomery
- MTV Newsroom
Nicole Allen's Monday started out like pretty much any other graduating high school senior's: With an interview with Kalamazoo's local CBS affiliate.
Allen was one of several Kalamazoo Central High School students responsible for creating the winning entry in the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge," a video called "We Are The Giants," which showcased Central's achievements in education and college preparedness, and as a result, she was partially responsible for the prize that came along with winning: President Barack Obama, who came to town to deliver the commencement speech at Central's graduation ceremony.
And that made her a bit of a local celebrity — which in turn made her day really, really hectic.
"My day started at 6:30 with the interview with CBS, and then I came home and tried to take a nap, but that didn't work out to well," Allen laughed. "Then, I had...
Allen was one of several Kalamazoo Central High School students responsible for creating the winning entry in the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge," a video called "We Are The Giants," which showcased Central's achievements in education and college preparedness, and as a result, she was partially responsible for the prize that came along with winning: President Barack Obama, who came to town to deliver the commencement speech at Central's graduation ceremony.
And that made her a bit of a local celebrity — which in turn made her day really, really hectic.
"My day started at 6:30 with the interview with CBS, and then I came home and tried to take a nap, but that didn't work out to well," Allen laughed. "Then, I had...
- 6/8/2010
- by James Montgomery
- MTV Newsroom
Simon Boehme is the salutatorian of Kalamazoo Central High School's class of 2010, and as such, he knew he'd be giving a speech during graduation ceremonies. What he didn't know until about a week ago is that he'd be giving that speech in front of President Barack Obama.
See, Boehme — along with his fellow Central classmates — helped create the winning entry in the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge," a video called "We Are The Giants" that trumpeted the school's achievements in education and college readiness. As a result, Boehme knew that Obama would be giving the commencement speech at Central's graduation, which meant that he'd be sharing the stage with the leader of the free world. But unlike pretty much anyone we know, Boehme didn't cower from the spotlight. Instead, he used the opportunity to address the president directly, asking him to establish a youth leadership council.
See, Boehme — along with his fellow Central classmates — helped create the winning entry in the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge," a video called "We Are The Giants" that trumpeted the school's achievements in education and college readiness. As a result, Boehme knew that Obama would be giving the commencement speech at Central's graduation, which meant that he'd be sharing the stage with the leader of the free world. But unlike pretty much anyone we know, Boehme didn't cower from the spotlight. Instead, he used the opportunity to address the president directly, asking him to establish a youth leadership council.
- 6/8/2010
- by James Montgomery
- MTV Newsroom
'That moment right there changed my life,' one graduating student exclaims after shaking hands with the president.
President Barack Obama surprises students at Kalamazoo Central High School
Photo: MTV News
President Barack Obama made some new friends on Monday when he delivered the commencement address at Michigan's Kalamazoo Central High School, the winning school among thousands of entrants to the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge." Before delivering his speech, the president surprised the class of 2010 with an unannounced informal meeting, where he shook hands and exchanged one-on-one words with the impending graduates.
"It was the most amazing thing ever that could ever happen to anybody," one particularly enthusiastic student gushed, while another classmate chimed in, "That moment right there changed my life, just meeting the president."
During the surprise meeting, Obama praised the high school for its strong sense of community and its promising ideals.
President Barack Obama surprises students at Kalamazoo Central High School
Photo: MTV News
President Barack Obama made some new friends on Monday when he delivered the commencement address at Michigan's Kalamazoo Central High School, the winning school among thousands of entrants to the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge." Before delivering his speech, the president surprised the class of 2010 with an unannounced informal meeting, where he shook hands and exchanged one-on-one words with the impending graduates.
"It was the most amazing thing ever that could ever happen to anybody," one particularly enthusiastic student gushed, while another classmate chimed in, "That moment right there changed my life, just meeting the president."
During the surprise meeting, Obama praised the high school for its strong sense of community and its promising ideals.
- 6/8/2010
- MTV Music News
Race to the Top contest winners get an intimate gathering with the president before his commencement speech.
By Gil Kaufman
President Barack Obama greets graduates from Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Mandel Ngan/ Afp/ Getty Images
Before he took the stage Monday to give the commencement address at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, President Obama took a few moments to meet with the school's seniors to offer some special words of wisdom.
As they screamed and held out their cell phones and digital cameras to get snaps of Obama, the president made his way around the auditorium and shook the hands of the young men and women he hopes will pave the way for a renewed focus on college education in America.
"It was the most amazing thing ever that could ever happen to anybody," one particularly enthusiastic student gushed, while another classmate chimed in, "That...
By Gil Kaufman
President Barack Obama greets graduates from Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Mandel Ngan/ Afp/ Getty Images
Before he took the stage Monday to give the commencement address at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, President Obama took a few moments to meet with the school's seniors to offer some special words of wisdom.
As they screamed and held out their cell phones and digital cameras to get snaps of Obama, the president made his way around the auditorium and shook the hands of the young men and women he hopes will pave the way for a renewed focus on college education in America.
"It was the most amazing thing ever that could ever happen to anybody," one particularly enthusiastic student gushed, while another classmate chimed in, "That...
- 6/8/2010
- MTV Music News
Michigan high school won the Race to the Top challenge and a commencement speech from Obama.
By Gil Kaufman
President Barack Obama delivers the commencement speech for Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Mandel Ngan/Afp/Getty Images
Back in February, President Obama put out a challenge to graduating seniors all over the country: Prove that you did the best job meeting his Race to the Top challenge and he would deliver the commencement address at your high school.
"Public schools that encourage systemic reform and embrace effective approaches to teaching and learning help prepare America's students to graduate ready for college and a career and enable them to out-compete any worker, anywhere in the world," the president said in a video message. "This is your opportunity to show me why your school exemplifies the best that our education system has to offer." Education Secretary Arne Duncan added that...
By Gil Kaufman
President Barack Obama delivers the commencement speech for Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Mandel Ngan/Afp/Getty Images
Back in February, President Obama put out a challenge to graduating seniors all over the country: Prove that you did the best job meeting his Race to the Top challenge and he would deliver the commencement address at your high school.
"Public schools that encourage systemic reform and embrace effective approaches to teaching and learning help prepare America's students to graduate ready for college and a career and enable them to out-compete any worker, anywhere in the world," the president said in a video message. "This is your opportunity to show me why your school exemplifies the best that our education system has to offer." Education Secretary Arne Duncan added that...
- 6/8/2010
- MTV Music News
'Everybody was screaming. Nobody was forming sentences,' Xavier Bolden says of surprise meeting before graduation.
By James Montgomery
President Barack Obama delivers the commencement speech for Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Mandel Ngan/ Afp/ Getty Images
A salutatorian. A future lawyer. And an actor. Up until Monday, all three were students at Kalamazoo Central High School in western Michigan, and all three were among those responsible for "We Are the Giants," the winning entry in the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge." So all three were responsible for the prize: President Barack Obama, who came to town to deliver the commencement address at Central's graduation ceremony.
MTV News and Get Schooled — a national program aimed at increasing high school and college graduation rates — gave all three students video cameras to document their graduation and, of course, all the excitement that came with having...
By James Montgomery
President Barack Obama delivers the commencement speech for Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Mandel Ngan/ Afp/ Getty Images
A salutatorian. A future lawyer. And an actor. Up until Monday, all three were students at Kalamazoo Central High School in western Michigan, and all three were among those responsible for "We Are the Giants," the winning entry in the White House's "Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge." So all three were responsible for the prize: President Barack Obama, who came to town to deliver the commencement address at Central's graduation ceremony.
MTV News and Get Schooled — a national program aimed at increasing high school and college graduation rates — gave all three students video cameras to document their graduation and, of course, all the excitement that came with having...
- 6/8/2010
- MTV Music News
Before giving his commencement speech, Obama pops in on some unsuspecting Kalamazoo Central students.
By James Montgomery, with additional reporting by Sean Lee
Kalamazoo Central High School are visited by President Barack Obama on Monday
Photo: MTV News
On Monday (June 7), hours before he was set to deliver the commencement address for Kalamazoo Central High School's class of 2010, President Barack Obama gave those graduating students the surprise of their lives, bringing the already energized group to a frenzy with an unannounced meet-and-greet at an intimate, pre-commencement ceremony.
MTV News was there exclusively, and we've got the footage for you right now!
Backstage, in the moments prior to their commencement — which was held at nearby Western Michigan University, due to the overflow crowd — Kalamazoo Central Principal Von Washington Jr. brought the nearly 300 graduating seniors together in an adjoining holding area for what they only assumed to be little more than a quick pre-commencement pep talk.
By James Montgomery, with additional reporting by Sean Lee
Kalamazoo Central High School are visited by President Barack Obama on Monday
Photo: MTV News
On Monday (June 7), hours before he was set to deliver the commencement address for Kalamazoo Central High School's class of 2010, President Barack Obama gave those graduating students the surprise of their lives, bringing the already energized group to a frenzy with an unannounced meet-and-greet at an intimate, pre-commencement ceremony.
MTV News was there exclusively, and we've got the footage for you right now!
Backstage, in the moments prior to their commencement — which was held at nearby Western Michigan University, due to the overflow crowd — Kalamazoo Central Principal Von Washington Jr. brought the nearly 300 graduating seniors together in an adjoining holding area for what they only assumed to be little more than a quick pre-commencement pep talk.
- 6/7/2010
- MTV Music News
'Be a part of something bigger than yourself,' he urged the Michigan students, who won Get Schooled's Race to the Top contest.
By James Montgomery
President Barack Obama speaks at Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Whitehouse.gov
In early March, students at Kalamazoo Central High School submitted a video to Get Schooled's Race to the Top competition, a nationwide search to find the school most dedicated to making — as Get Schooled put it — "great strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness." More than 1,000 high schools across the country entered; Kalamazoo Central won.
On Monday (June 7), the school finally received its prize: President Barack Obama showed up to deliver the commencement address for the class of 2010.
And it was worth the wait. Delivering his first-ever high school graduation speech, President Obama lauded Kalamazoo Central's students for their hard work, dedication and ingenuity and called...
By James Montgomery
President Barack Obama speaks at Kalamazoo Central High School on Monday
Photo: Whitehouse.gov
In early March, students at Kalamazoo Central High School submitted a video to Get Schooled's Race to the Top competition, a nationwide search to find the school most dedicated to making — as Get Schooled put it — "great strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness." More than 1,000 high schools across the country entered; Kalamazoo Central won.
On Monday (June 7), the school finally received its prize: President Barack Obama showed up to deliver the commencement address for the class of 2010.
And it was worth the wait. Delivering his first-ever high school graduation speech, President Obama lauded Kalamazoo Central's students for their hard work, dedication and ingenuity and called...
- 6/7/2010
- MTV Music News
College enrollment has increased in recent years, but completion has drastically declined, study shows.
By Alexandria Bradshaw
Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
College success may mean working less and studying more.
Get Schooled, a Viacom and MTV Networks initiative, was launched in September to educate policy makers on ways to improve the nation's school systems. MTV's iteration of the campaign is college completion, and addressing the barriers students face when pursuing higher education.
Celebrities including Kelly Clarkson, LeBron James, Keri Hilson, Marc Ecko and Common have joined Get Schooled and MTV to encourage students to stay in school and educate government on the ways it can support students struggling to balance college with work and family commitments.
Although college enrollment has increased over the past decade, college completion has drastically decreased. The U.S. Department of Education reports less than half of college students finish within six years. At community...
By Alexandria Bradshaw
Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
College success may mean working less and studying more.
Get Schooled, a Viacom and MTV Networks initiative, was launched in September to educate policy makers on ways to improve the nation's school systems. MTV's iteration of the campaign is college completion, and addressing the barriers students face when pursuing higher education.
Celebrities including Kelly Clarkson, LeBron James, Keri Hilson, Marc Ecko and Common have joined Get Schooled and MTV to encourage students to stay in school and educate government on the ways it can support students struggling to balance college with work and family commitments.
Although college enrollment has increased over the past decade, college completion has drastically decreased. The U.S. Department of Education reports less than half of college students finish within six years. At community...
- 12/9/2009
- MTV Music News
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