Obama's back-to-school speech inspires some kids
By KATHY MATHESON and MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writers – 1 hr 20 mins ago
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"He said that we're the future, and he's right," said Mileena, who wants to be a forensic scientist. "That's a president telling you, `I care about you getting your education.' Just imagine what kids like us can do if we actually listen."
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Karen Miller, a former PTA official and a longtime education activist in the Houston area, said she initially had concerns about the speech and accompanying lesson plans. "Whenever a political figure goes to a public school, one has to be very cautious," she said.
After hearing the speech, however, Miller said she found it inspiring.
"The message he gave to children was so appropriate, that you shape your destiny no matter the hand you're dealt," she said. "The message was absolutely on target. I had chills."
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"When you see someone of such power saying what your parents say or your teachers have said, like all your life, it really makes it more powerful to you and it really makes you want to try more," she said.
And William Geist, a San Francisco fifth-grader who likes to sleep late, listened closely to Obama's story of studying with his mother at 4:30 a.m.
"Now since I heard this speech, I'm like, `Man, I've got to get up early in the morning. I've got to get ready for school. I've got to do this,'" William said.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090909/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_school_speech