Came to edit this... I just came across this young ladies own blog. This is her speech that she presented as valedictorian at her high school graduation. What a very amazing speech to come from one so young and so institutionalized! http://americaviaerica.blogspot.com/2010/07/coxsackie-athens-valedictorian-speech.html
WOW! I'd have loved to see the administration's faces as she delivered that speech. I bet they'll be previewing future graduation speeches before they are delivered!
I am just so in awe that this girl is only 18 AND "grew up" in the institution! We need soooo many more young people... or maybe I should just say people... with her view on the world around her!
My brother-in-law is a high school teacher in NC and he told us about a similar speech at their high school. He said the valedictorian talked about not having a single field trip from 6-12th grade and not getting out to learn about the world. He said the administrators were NOT HAPPY! It's interesting that top students are starting to realize that their education has been less than excellent. My own son, who is a junior at one of the top research universities in the country, told me that "school was a waste of time until I got to high school AP courses". His younger brother is very much like him and he strongly encouraged me to homeschool. My son jokes about being a minority at his school because he's a white male. Most of the students are Indian or Asian.
Wow! What amazing insight for an 18 year old. I was one of those well-trained slaves myself (a.k.a an honor student). It took me five years of teaching in PS and having my own children to realize the truth of what she stated in this speech. I just wish I could have been sitting in that audience to see the reactions (tehehe)!
I forwarded this to my husband. I may also send it to my progressive friend who teaches high school history.
I got chills. The first half of her speech was almost exactly what I said during my valedictorian speech back in 1993. Her insight in the body of the speech is incredible, if not inspired. I so needed to read this, as I have been struggling lately with the accomplishments that other women of my age and ability are currently making. So glad to be reminded of what is truly important. And besides, like her, I have no idea what I would like to focus on after my kids are finished with their education. Maybe by that time I will be out of the system long enough to have some thoughts of my own.
Wow!!! Just emailed the link to all my friends and family and posted it on FBook. I'll keep this one safe to read again further down the track - AWESOME!!
It's nice to know there are some kids out there that can rise above the crap or lack thereof they learn in the ps system. However, did she completely rise above it? She had a blurb where it looks like she's a bit anti-corporation.
Was going to make a comment on her blog but couldn't figure out how to!!!?? Back to school for me, lol. She is awesome. I wanted to tell her that she shouldn't focus on becoming a teacher, but should start a school (or at the least a new movement).
Honestly I hung out with peers who took AP classes and were all high honors students and we all thought "school" was a waste of time. Many of them have their children in public school. Figure that one out if you can. Of course, as homeschooling becomes more and more mainstream some might change their mind.
