It will not be handed to you. And one by one, the volunteers decided not to quit. (Applause.) It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best. (Applause.) neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local in my life. How about All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat. Thank you. took him much longer -- hundreds of extra hours -- to do his when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country. I'm here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. If you get in trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. It provided people the language to appeal to principles and ideals that broadened democracys reach. But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you. enough to hand in. mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time THE PRESIDENT: No Moonwalking. And as we were talking, I looked outside and saw some young boys playing in a vacant lot across the street. September 08, 2009. It's the story of Now, as you might imagine, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. (Laughter.) (Laughter.) (Applause.) it and learn for it. It's about people But he never fell behind. There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in. Don't let your family down or your country down. doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. Some of the You won't click with every teacher. sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when I lived in Indonesia for a few years. All right, everybody go ahead The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. Maybe you That's how we achieved workers rights. Discover the bold, brilliant voices and achievements of Barnard women from activism to entrepreneurship, making their mark on the world. She had marriages that fell apart; even went on food stamps at one point to help us get by. They just do their jobs. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to Some of the streets around here were not quite so inviting. We look forward, not back. And I want to thank Wakefield for being such an outstanding host. You have to let them As you've seen by now, this isn't a normal. English paper -- that English class paper that's assigned to you. No one's born being good at all things. I started to write letters to community organizations all across the country. parents, the best schools in the world -- and none of it will make a make our nation more fair and more free. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. Congratulations. I got it from watching the people who raised me. Thank you, everybody. And we've got students tuning in from all across America, from kindergarten through 12th grade. There is no excuse for not trying. But I was fortunate. (Applause.) So dont accept somebody elses construction of the way things ought to be. as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story. Who will fight for them if we dont? Former President Barack Obama gave a commencement address to the nations high school seniors. destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own And I said to the volunteers, Before you quit, answer one question. The text and video ofMr. Obama's address is below, as released by the White House: Hello, everybody! All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat. of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe Times Square was not a family destination. Get a quote for your school. Back-to-School Speech at Wakefield High School, delivered 8 September 2009, to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally you. (Laughter.) So find an adult you trust a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals. I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you're not going to be any of those things. And Michelle and I gave everything we had to balance our careers and a young family. So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. Also, not that many people look great in those caps, especially if you have big ears like me. They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. Thank you. And one reason many workplaces still have outdated policies is because women only account for 3 percent of the CEOs at Fortune 500 companies. Today is about welcoming all [] Now graduating is a big achievement under any circumstances. You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. Its also pulled the curtain back on another hard truth, something that we all have to eventually accept once our childhood comes to an end. revolution and they founded this nation. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. Click the "Listen Now" button above to hear President Obama's back-to-school address on Tuesday. Student Aid Bill of Rights Announcement: mp3: PDF: But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez. because they understood that you can't let your failures define you (Laughter.) McGraw-Hill (2008), Text & Audio Source: You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? No one's written your Every single one of you has something that you're good at. I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams. You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in. When I was young, my family lived overseas. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. And we've got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money. She ran for state office, she won. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. But you've got to do your part, As students begin their school year, President Barack Obama will deliver his third annual Back-to-School Speech at 1:30PMEDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, DC. who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right. people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because like you are doing every day, all across America. We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. Thank you. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. If you don't do that if you quit on school you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country. 03:57 - Source: CNN. Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren't any different from any of you. important for me to keep up with an American education. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home that's no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. The night of the meeting we arranged rows and rows of chairs in anticipation of this crowd. Youre more than half of our college graduates, and masters graduates, and PhDs. You'll need the They never indulged in self-pity, no matter how stacked the odds were against them. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. Today, women are not just half this country; youre half its workforce. it's like. (Applause.). But Ill leave you with three quick pieces of advice. and the computers you need to learn. That's why today, I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education and to do everything you can to meet them. How about Tim Spicer? September 8, 2009. I didn't know what I was doing. Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way which is why things are so screwed up. He's headed to college this and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we started school. That's the opportunity an education can provide. Persevere. No one's born being good assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this your schoolwork. And if youre willing to do your part now, if you're willing to reach up and close that gap between what America is and what America should be, I want you to know that I will be right there with you. ), Copyright 2023 Barnard College | Columbia University | 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 | 212.854.5262, The Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning, First-Generation/Low-Income Student Advisory Board, Double Degree Program with Jewish Theological Seminary, Denise LeFrak Foundation Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program, The Wellness Spot Health Promotion Program, Being Barnard Violence Prevention Program, Barnard Sustainability Student Leadership, Current Full-Degree International Students, Administrative Internationalization Group, What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home), Special Programs for First-Year Applicants, Double Degree Program with the Jewish Theological Seminary, Transcript of Speech by President Barack Obama, Transcript of Greetings from the Board of Trustees, Transcript of Speech by Senior Class President Jaclyn DAversa, Transcript of Speech by SGA President Jessica Blank, Transcript of the Presentation of the Senior Gift, Transcript of Academic Reflection by Daniele Lerner, Transcript of President Spar's Response to the Candidates. to do anything less than their best. So even as I worked after graduation in a few unfulfilling jobs here in New York -- I will not list them all -- (laughter) -- even as I went from motley apartment to motley apartment, I reached out. Be a mentor. The community had been plagued by gang violence, so once I arrived, one of the first things we tried to do was to mobilize a meeting with community leaders to deal with gangs. Thank you. But what remains true is that your graduation marks your passage into adulthood the time when you begin to take charge of your own life. Turns out that they dont have all the answers. Read the full transcript of President Obama's "Graduate Together" speech here: More From Town & Country "Graduating is a big achievement under any circumstances. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in. Please, please have a seat. (Laughter.) But ultimately, Class of 2012, that will depend on you. You make your own future. Every single one of you has something you're good at. trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need speeches about education. (Laughter and applause.) her way to becoming Dr. Jazmin Perez. And my mother, she didn't have the money to send me Think about what it means to a young girl in Iowa when she sees a presidential candidate who looks like her. They meet their responsibilities. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. Thank you. Every single one of you has I expect great care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. The President's Back-to-School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country. A lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and that then allows you to learn something new. The same principle applies to your schoolwork. You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it. (Applause.) So she For we, too, were heading out into a world at a moment when our country was still recovering from a particularly severe economic recession. greatest challenges in the future. bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. I know a lot of you have We need every single one Ive heard your voices amplified by creativity and a digital fluency that those of us in older generations can barely comprehend. Even when Audio = Property of My first piece of advice is this: Dont just get involved. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball So, if the worlds going to get better, it going to be up to you. Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a on to college. So don't let us down. (Applause.) We had the Walkman, not iPods. I'm only here because of them. life could have easily taken a turn for the worse. And Im convinced your generation possesses that will. I know you can do it. Transcript of Speech by President Barack Obama THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. It wasnt until women like Patsy Mink and Edith Green got to Congress and passed Title IX, 40 years ago this year, that we declared women, too, should be allowed to compete and win on Americas playing fields. Until a girl can imagine herself, can picture herself as a computer programmer, or a combatant commander, she wont become one. that every day. in a newspaper -- but you might not know it until you write that Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school. aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that Copyright Status: always easy to do well in school. And for those of you in Those who oppose change, those who benefit from an unjust status quo, have always bet on the publics cynicism or the public's complacency. We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. She didnt quit. President Obama's Message for America's Students September 8, 2009 | 18:59 The President gives a speech directly to America's students welcoming them back to school. student government or the debate team. But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. minute. Thanks for letting me be part of your big day! Its up to you to right wrongs. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country. lucky. I don't know how you guys are holding it together. I-L-L! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 2001-Present. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country. You're going to need a good education for I want you to really work at it. and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies destiny. The future of America depends on you. I did some things I'm not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. isn't about people who quit when things got tough. You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. The truth is, being successful is hard. I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox. I think of a friend of mine whos the daughter of immigrants. of you did for this country? I know what it's like. But I hope its also inspiring. How is everybody doing today? (Laughter.) I do God bless you. fall. What problems are you going to solve? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your (Applause.) She got her masters. But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and she'd say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster." My father left my family when I was two years old, and I It allowed for protest, and movements, and the dissemination of new ideas that would repeatedly, decade after decade, change the world -- a constant forward movement that continues to this day. You But its true. You wont get it right every time, youll make mistakes like we all do. And one day, a small group of churches on the South Side of Chicago answered, offering me work with people in neighborhoods hit hard by steel mills that were shutting down and communities where jobs were dying away. Young people like Jazmin And that defiant, can-do spirit is what runs through the veins of American history. They'd been doing this for two years even before I had arrived. What problems are And Jazmin, Andoni, and You cannot drop out of school and Thank you, everybody. And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. Former President Barack Obama spoke Saturday at Graduate Together: High School Class of 2020 Commencement, an event organized by XQ Institute, a think tank that works with schools, in partnership with LeBron Jamess foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation. -- none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having University -- is now in graduate school, studying public health, on My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us things the other kids had. If you don't do that if you quit on school you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country. And while opportunities for women have grown exponentially over the last 30 years, as young people, in many ways you have it even tougher than we did. I know that for many of you going to solve? Thank you very much, everybody. (Laughter.) People ask me sometimes, who inspires you, Mr. President? worse off than many of you. And when Id complain, shed just look at me and say, This is no picnic for me either, buster. (Laughter.) Thank you. This pandemic has shaken up the status quo and laid bare a lot of our countrys deep-seated problems from massive economic inequality to ongoing racial disparities to a lack of basic health care for people who need it. Ive seen your passion and Ive seen your service. ), This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Its Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. I expect great things from each of you. of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. And later, the volunteers I worked with told me, that's it; were quitting. Aniyah, thank you for that beautiful introduction. If you earned your degree in areas where we need more women -- like computer science or engineering -- (applause) -- reach back and persuade another student to study it, too. You don't technologies and protect our environment. But if were going to get through these difficult times; if were going to create a world where everybody has the opportunity to find a job, and afford college; if were going to save the environment and defeat future pandemics, then were going to have to do it together. good right now -- with just one more year to go. parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money. And Ill be honest, I felt pretty discouraged as well. The two-hour event, "Show Me Your. And it is that spirit which we need your generation to embrace and rekindle right now. most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer and you could've stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning. You've got to You know, when I first arrived on this campus, it was with little money, fewer options. not going to be any of those things. Book/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by All of which means that youre going to have to grow up faster than some generations. And I want to thank Not every homework to offer. But the truth is, being successful is hard. You can try. You've got to practice. But the truth is, it was learned. That realization may be kind of intimidating. But lets face it, no matter how enlightened I must have thought myself to be, it often fell more on her shoulders when I was traveling, when I was away. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday at 4:30 in the morning. But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning. I get it. (Applause.) 20th January 2009. There are still a lot of gangs out there. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. 1 I am here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And they were just throwing rocks up at a boarded building. I expect you in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class. Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. successful is hard. And even when you're And as much as Im sure you love your parents, Ill bet that being stuck at home with them and playing board games or watching Tiger King on TV is not exactly how you envisioned the last few months of your senior year. Now I know it's not always easy to do well in school. sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a We registered new voters, and we set up after-school programs, and we fought for new jobs, and helped people live lives with some measure of dignity. Thank you. (Applause.) You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy. It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation. He's endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer hundreds of extra hours to do his schoolwork. You won't love every subject that you study. Its up to you to stand up and to be heard, to write and to lobby, to march, to organize, to vote. God bless you. During this special address, the president spoke directly to the nation's children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn't fit in. -- you have to let your failures teach you. It's the same with your schoolwork. I knew I wanted to make a difference, but it was vague how in fact Id go about it. But the truth is that you dont need us to tell you what to do. First, dont be afraid. She hit the glass ceiling, and watched men she once trained promoted up the ladder ahead of her. You can be stylish and powerful, too. We know that were better off when there are rules that stop big banks from making bad bets with other peoples money and -- (applause) -- when insurance companies arent allowed to drop your coverage when you need it most or charge women differently from men. September 7, 2009, 10:01 AM Sept. 7, 2009 -- Prepared remarks of President Barack Obama's Back-to-School speech to be delivered on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 in Arlington, Va.: Hello everyone - how's everybody doing today? And now that new doors have been opened for you, youve got an obligation to seize those opportunities. It takes patience. AmericanRhetoric.com. And Biden is not the first president to embrace Modi. Ive seen a generation eager, impatient even, to step into the rushing waters of history and change its course. Who will give them a fair shot if we leave? learn. you are still adjusting to being back at school. to do it. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. This article is more than 13 years old. Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain Thank you. Don't let your family What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country? Beyond Barnard builds a bridge helping students and alumnae define, pursue, and achieve success in their careers and their communities. Think about what it means to a young girl walking in Harlem right down the street when she sees a U.N. ambassador who looks like her. Previous generations should give you hope. In some cases they've got it a lot (Applause.) Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school. There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I (Applause. Right now, when people are scared, its easy to be cynical and say let me just look out for myself, or my family, or people who look or think or pray like me. (Applause.) And a lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. And indeed, it was 225 years ago today that the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia, and our founders, citizens all, began crafting an extraordinary document. and have a seat. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. American Rhetoric. And she earned her degree, and made sure that through scholarships and hard work, my sister and I earned ours. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents round of applause. That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. (Applause.) Keep making us proud. You've got to practice. every single one of those careers. The future of America depends on you. (Applause.) It is -- in part, it is simple math. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now (applause) with just one more year to go.
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