President Obama speaking at Wright Middle School in Madison, WI
President Barack Obama met with students, staff, parents and local and state political leaders at James C. Wright Middle School in Madison, WI Wednesday, November 4, 2009.
The President used his visit as a backdrop to announce his new education initiative, called "Race To The Top" in which he plans to make more than $4 billion dollars available to states who meet specific educational criteria. In a speech that lasted 31 minutes, Obama said that “the currency of today’s economy is knowledge.” An estimated 600 people attended the speech in the school’s gymnasium.
On a more personal note, and in an effort to motivate the largely African-American and Latino student body at Wright School, Obama described his own experiences in school, as well as that of his daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Prior to the main speech, the President had met with forty students in a private session – a portion of which was closed to the media – in the school library. He told the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders that there is nothing more important than what they are doing right now in school. He also told them, “Wright has a great reputation. This school is improving all the time, but ultimately how good a school is depends on how well you guys are doing.” [Quote reported in the Wisconsin State Journal by reporter Gayle Worland.]
The visit by President Obama also marks the one year anniversary of his election to office.
Check out the photos of President Obama's visit to Madison and James C. Wright Middle School in the slide show below.
Comments
I am so pleased to see the president engaging with students in this personal way. His presence proves to the students that he cares about them. I believe the actions of the first lady and Obama are sending a clear message to our youth, "you count, America needs you."
Victoria Cummings,
Child Advocate
Thrivingstudent.com
These children will never forget this day! I know that we have a president that really has a heart for the youth of our generation. It makes me proud to know that our children now have a leader they can trust and touch as well. The Obama family is such a great example of the American dream. I thank God that my parents and others that lived through the Civil Rights Movement are alive to see this time in history. Many people are going back to school because of this administration. Childen will see their parents studying for their degrees as they study and strive to succeed themselves. God bless you President Obama as you lead this nation.
If the President visited my school as a child, I would have thought I lived the greatest city in the world. Obama is the greatest leader we have had in America in a long time.
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