‘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 Barack Obama shakes hands with students at the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday 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 at the kids and the parents, teachers and school leaders who help the students perform at a high level. The president described how he and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, have been preparing their children Sasha and Malia for school over the past few weeks and how the Masterman kids are probably lamenting the end of summer, even as they get excited about new possibilities. “I’m sure there will be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it’s all worth it,” he said, adding that he also suspected they were nervous about how the recession and the ongoing war in Afghanistan were forcing them to “act a lot older” to be strong for their families. “Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education.” He said he understood that some of the students are worried about their futures and whether they will achieve their dreams. Which is why he promised them that education is more important than ever. “More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you will be determined by how far you go in school,” he said. “In other words, the farther you go in school, the farther you’ll go in life. And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before; when students around the world are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever; your success in school will also help determine America’s success in the 21st century.” Obama, who admitted he wasn’t always the best student, said it will take a group effort from parents, politicians, students and teachers working their hardest to transform those educational aspirations into reality. “That’s what we have to do for you. That’s our responsibility,” he said. “That’s our job. But here’s your job. Showing up to school on time. Paying attention in class. Doing your homework. Studying for exams. Staying out of trouble. That kind of discipline and drive — that kind of hard work — is absolutely essential for success.” Stay tuned to MTV News for more information about how you can get the president to speak at your commencement celebration at the end of this school year.
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President Obama Urges Students To ‘Get Schooled’
