Cohen: President Obama to Deliver Commencement Speech at Booker T. Washington High School

MEMPHIS, TN. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today announced that President Obama will deliver the commencement speech at Booker T. Washington High School. The Memphis high school was selected by the President as the winner of this year’s Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge.

“This is great news for the students and faculty of Booker T. Washington High School, and Memphis,” said Congressman Cohen. “The students and faculty of Booker T. Washington are truly inspirational, as evidenced by the tremendous support during the online voting during the Commencement Challenge. The faculty worked diligently to ensure that students have access to a wide range of classes which help ensure the students stay motivated so they can be successful in school and life. I am so happy President Obama chose to further motivate the students of Booker T. Washington High School by selecting them as the winner of the Commencement Challenge and speaking at their graduation ceremony. Many thanks to all who supported and continue to support the school.”

President Obama set a goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. The nation’s public high schools were invited to submit applications to participate in the Commencement Challenge to demonstrate their commitment to preparing students for college and a future career. Hundreds of applications were received and were judged based on the schools’ performance, essay questions and supplemental data. Six applicants were selected to produce videos to display their creativity in engaging and supporting students, academic results, and progress in preparing students to graduate college and become career ready.

The public voted for the schools they thought best meet the President’s goal based on the videos that were hosted on the White House’s web page over the past few weeks. The following schools received the highest vote totals, with Booker T. Washington High School ultimately winning the Commencement Challenge: