Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge
On June 7, 2010, President Obama delivered the commencement address at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the winner of the 2010 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge.
In addition to the commencement address at Kalamazoo Central, the President, Vice President, First Lady, Second Lady and other senior administration officials delivered dozens of commencement addresses at universities and high schools across the country this spring. Chek out an interactive map of all of the commencement addreses.
During the course of the Commencement Challenge, we received over 1,000 applications that were narrowed down by the White House Domestic Policy Council and Department of Education to six high school finalists. Between April 26th and April 29th, over 170,000 people weighed in on short videos and essay from the six finalists. President Obama selected the national winner from the three high schools with the highest average ratings.
Each of the finalists - Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, KS, Clark Montessori in Cincinnati, OH, Denver School of Science and Technology in Denver, Colorado, Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale, CA, Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, MI and MAST Academy in Miami, FL -represents the best that American public education has to offer and has demonstrated tremendous dedication and grace throughout the competition.
Finalist Videos
- Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park, KS
- Clark Montessori, Cincinnati, OH
- Denver School of Science and Technology, Denver, Colorado
- Environmental Charter High School, Lawndale, CA
- Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, MI
- MAST Academy, Miami, FL
Finalist Essays
- Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park, KS
- Clark Montessori, Cincinnati, OH
- Denver School of Science and Technology, Denver, Colorado
- Environmental Charter High School, Lawndale, CA
- Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, MI
- MAST Academy, Miami, FL
Featured Legislation
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
Signed: Thursday, January 29, 2009
- Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
Signed: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
- Small Business Act Temporary Extension
Signed: Friday, March 20, 2009
- view all featured legislation
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