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Sep 8, 2009 8:42 pm US/Eastern
Obama Encourages Students In Pep Talk
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Students at Perry Traditional Academy listened politely as President Obama exhorted them to study hard and do well in school -- not just for themselves but for their country.
"This isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your own education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. The future of America depends on you," the president told students.
Despite worries of some parents that the speech would be partisan, the president focused not on politics but on students.
"If you quit on school, you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country," Obama emphasized.
And he reminded students that he could relate to many of them in the classroom.
"There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt I didn't fit in. So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I'm not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse."
Obama credited a lot of second chances in school that turned him around.
Some Perry students called Obama inspirational.
"I thought it was really inspiring and it makes me want to like do my best this year," said Mark Byars of Overbrook.
"I think it was very inspiring. It made me change my thoughts on school and everything, made me think that I should try my hardest in school and succeed and be what I want to be," added Tatum Marimack of Stanton Heights.
Some thought the speech was boring and too long and even some who saw value in the president's address didn't think the impact would be long-lasting.
Delano: "Do you think students will pay attention to what he said, honestly?"
"No, no," said Julian Williams of the North Side.
But most students thought the president's words would help.
"When I come to school now I just want to get in and get out as quick as I can. But after watching it, he just made me want to do better," noted Tatum Marimack.
"I think it will put a lot more incentive in what they do in school -- to know that the president is behind them," added Mark Byars.
While a few took time to catch up on sleep, most students got the message.
"We shouldn't let anything hold us back, and we should strive for the goals that we want in life," summarized Jabraya Owens of the North Side.
Former South Fayette school superintendent and Allegheny Intermediate Unit Executive Director Linda Hippert thought Obama scored.
"I thought it was an excellent message to our students about personal responsibility, about staying in school, about working hard and really developing goals for their futures," said Dr. Hippert.
But many students were not allowed to hear the president's words.
"I really think that it was pressure coming from the community from some parents to not show this speech to their children," Hippert said.
She says it was politics not race that caused many suburban districts not to air the president.
"I think it was much more the party line Democrats and Republicans. So in your more predominant Republican communities, I think there was perhaps more pressure not to show the speech," Hippert said.
"They missed out on a nice speech," noted Perry student Chris Justice of Brighton Heights. "It probably would have been good for them to hear it, because it's a nice speech and motivational like I said."
Hippert said it's not too late.
"I could see many schools wanting to show it perhaps even though it wasn't live afterwards."
It remains to be seen whether this generation of students will pay any more attention to the president than earlier generations.
But one thing is certain -- you can't get inspired by the president if you don't get the chance to listen to him.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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