Booker T. Washington Wins White House Commencement Challenge
Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis has won the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge and will have President Barack Obama come speak at their graduation ceremony.
Booker T. Washington High School was one of three schools that received the most online votes in this year’s challenge. From those schools, President Obama chose BTW as the winner Tuesday and will participate in their commencement ceremony this year.
The White House says Booker T. Washington High School improved its graduation rate from 55 percent in 2007 to more than 80 percent in 2010. That improvement helped them win the administration's Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge.
"I'm so proud of the schools that participated in this year's commencement challenge and I want to thank all of them for their hard work and dedication," said President Obama. "Booker T. Washington High School proves what can be accomplished when students, teachers, parents and administrators come together to support achievement in the classroom and I'm looking forward to delivering the commencement address at this extraordinary school soon."
Vice President Joe Biden called the school's principal, Alicia Kiner, Tuesday to congratulate her on winning. The goal of the competition is to challenge schools to demonstrate their commitment to preparing students for college and careers.
President Obama is scheduled to speak at the school on Monday, May 16.
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 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 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 two weeks. The following schools received the highest vote totals:
• Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
• High Tech High International (San Diego, California)
• Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport, Washington)
Huge congratulations to Booker T. Washington students, faculty and parents for this amazing accomplishment, Memphis is very proud!
Link to watch the winning video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gSYvnSOcwM
