By Sonya Hollins, editor
The atmosphere in Western Michigan University’s Arena was electric on the evening of June 6. As thousands spilled out of charter buses which shuttled them from nearby parking structures, strangers talked as friends. It was an occasion that brought a community together; the 2010 Commencement Ceremony of Kalamazoo Central High School.
Friends hugged each other in anticipation as they presented their graduation ticket which contained the Presidential Seal. Those who knew graduates and those who came as local dignitaries and supporters, were all there for the historic event. Politicians from all levels local, state and national were present including Mayor Bobby Hopewell, State Rep. Robert Jones and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, U.S Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and the president, their President Barack Obama.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
“My grandparents came here from India more than 18 years ago,” said graduating senior, Radhika Sharma. “They never thought they would come to this country and see a president let alone see their granddaughter hug him at my graduation.”
Sharma wasn’t the only one who received a hug from President Obama. While students were told they may only get to shake his hands during the diploma procession, graduate Xavier Bolden took a chance and wrapped his arms around the president for a hug. When it was seen the secret service didn’t tackle him, it was on and most every graduate took the one-in-a-lifetime chance to hug their president.
For each student, the experience was special as they recalled the impact President Obama had on them as they shook their hand.
“He told me congratulations,” said Hillary Morton who will attend WMU in the fall.
“He said he was proud of me,” said Keyosha Blalock who said the joys of her entire high school experience and service as a cheerleader had been culminated with this moment in time.
“I shook his hand three times today,” said Nicole Allen. “I just want to cut my right hand off and save it.”
The most memorable part of the graduation for Allen however, was before the ceremony when the President surprised the students in the waiting area. He shook the hands that grabbed for his and wished them all good luck. While Matt Lauer of NBCV’s Today Show was present, Allen along with Bolden (‘we are the Giants’ voice on winning video) Devin Oliver and Simon Boehme presented Obama with a personalized Kalamazoo Central jersey.
THE CHALLENGE
These students were instrumental in the president’s arrival for the commencement. They helped write the four essays which made their school finalists among more than 1,000 schools who entered the first ever Race to the Top Commencement Challenge sponsored by the White House. The challenge allowed the schools to share what made their school special in order to receive a keynote address at their commencement by President Obama. After the essay the students were among three schools nationwide whose student-produced video won the most of the 170,000 votes cast on the White House website.
The lives of those who helped produce the student essays and video will never be the same. Allen said MTV gave a few of them video cameras to document their own life up to graduation. The appearances on the CBS Saturday Morning Show and other local recognitions have ignited their dreams. By taking advantage of the opportunity to submit an application for the Race to the Top showed the type of initiative President Obama encouraged all the students of Kalamazoo Central to continue throughout their lives.
Student speakers Cindy Lee, valedictorian and Simon Boehme, the salutatorian addressed the class with messages of hope and inspiration. Boehme used strategically placed humor to tell the class that it is their time to step out and make a difference in the world. He said there are things no parent, teacher or even President Barack Obama can decide for them.
“It is our choice now,” said Boehme who challenges himself to run for president in 2048. “This is where we are, the greatest moment of life is now. The time to decide where we go from here and the impact we can make on our community and the world.”
Kalamazoo Public School Superintendent Michael Rice shared the poetry of Langston Hughes with the students to encourage them to persevere. As Kalamazoo Central Principal Von Washington Jr., introduced the President, he told students that Obama faces challenges in his job that (Obama) inspires youth such as the 2010 class to rise up and solve one day.
THE MESSAGE
The President’s speech confirmed Boehme’s hopes and the possibility of a brighter future. He spoke of service to others and the Kalamazoo Promise anonymous donors who had faith in the future of Kalamazoo. The Promise of a paid college education is something he said has inspired young people to imagine a different future for them. He recalled a story told of him of a young Kalamazoo first grader who told her principal after the announcement of The Promise, that, “I’m going to college. I don’t know what that is, but I’m going.”
That gift of a free education is something Obama said brought the community together and challenges the graduates of 2010 to repay them, not financially, but by the service they in turn contribute to others by, “paying it forward.”
“I can guarantee that wherever your journey takes you, they’re going to be children who need mentors, senior citizens who need assistance, folks down on their luck who could use a helping hand,” said the President.
“Once you’ve reached out and formed to those connections, you’ll find it’s a little harder to numb yourself of other people’s suffering. In the end, service binds us to each other. To our communities and our country in a way that nothing else can. It’s how we become more fully America. That’s the reason those donors created the Kalamazoo Promise in the first place. Not for recognition or reward but because of their connection to this community.”
While Obama said the students may never the donors of The Promise, they can make themselves known by what they do to impact the world. After all, he said, “You are the Giants.”
For more photos and video of the Kalamazoo Central High School graduation with President Barack Obama visit: www.comvoices.com/gallery
