Classrooms throughout the Mooresville Graded School District fell silent at midday Tuesday as students listened to President Obama's words of encouragement for the new school year.
"I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them," Obama said as students across the nation listened attentively, including those in Mary Magee's sophomore English class at Mooresville High.
Considerable controversy began surrounding Obama's back-to-school remarks late last week as parents across the district, and the country, expressed concern that Obama's speech might have an underlying political message.
MGSD officials informed parents Thursday that they could choose whether or not their children watch the presidential address.
Approximately 70 students in the district submitted the required written permission from their parents to not view the nationally televised broadcast. Those students received another instructional activity during that time in another classroom.
Hundreds of other students in the MGSD, grades three through 12, tuned in to watch the president's comments about the importance of education. Several classrooms, particularly at the high school level, conducted discussion after Obama's brief speech.
Asking students what theme might've been prevalent in the president's commentary, Magee tried to discover what her students took away from the event.
"Didn't he say (obtaining an education) was kind of your patriotic duty?" she asked the class of 17 students.
One student commented that Obama sought to encourage students to stay in school rather than dropping out as another added that the president told students, "you're going to have to fail a couple times before you succeed."
Fellow MHS teachers Nancy Gardner and Gina Ruffin, as well as Principal Todd Wirt, helped lead the discussion among the teenagers.
"He gave you some very clear suggestions to be present here in high school, but not just be here," said Gardner as she echoed Obama's remarks concerning extracurricular-activity involvement.
"There are ways to be part of the learning community ... things you might not find out in a classroom."
Added Wirt, "Explore what you like, to find out what it means for your life."
Noting that the last presidential speech of this nature took place during President George H. W. Bush's tenure, Wirt asked the teens what this particular address meant to them as students.
A sophomore girl remarked, "It shows that he cares. That he wants to make us better and our country better."
A fellow student added, "For the world to change, we need to do better."
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