President Commends Students, School in Worcester Tech Commencement Address

           On June 11^th, Worcester Technical High School graduates got to hear from none other than the President himself, as he congratulated them not only for their accomplishments as the Class of 2014, but as a school, and as a community that the rest of America can learn from. Speaking from the DCU center, Obama asserted, “there is nothing ordinary about Worcester Tech.”

            And ordinary they are not. A nearly defunct institution less than 20 years ago, Worcester Tech has been revitalized, both in body and spirit, and has gone from a failing high school, to one that, as Obama said, “has set itself apart.” Now they are in a new $90 million dollar building, and have a waitlist hundreds of names long. Over the past 16 years, Worcester Tech has been transformed. It is now a thriving place of learning where everyone is taking notice.  Standardized test scores have improved across the board, with those scoring in either “proficient” or “advanced” in mathematics up 100%, and in English, 200%. In 2013, the National Association of Secondary School Principals named Worcester Tech principal Sheila Harrity Principal of the Year. Graduates, who will be heading off to college, the military, as well as starting their own careers, are graduating with the skills to “run a restaurant, build a house, or fix a computer.” Skills from a great education that Obama said “will make America stronger.”

            The president had an important message for the graduates aside from “Congratulations”; that each graduate was only where they were in life that day “because somebody somewhere invested in [their] success.” Obama stressed the importance of a country that invests in its students, a country where education is a priority, and a country with young professionals who give back to the community. “I can’t imagine a better investment,” Obama said of the graduates, “You’ve got to make sure you use those gifts.” Some of the students are already using their gifts, leaving high schools with more than just a diploma, but college credits, nursing assistance certificates, and EMT licenses.

            “You’re already doing it, you’re already blazing a trail,” Obama said. And as he shook the hands of each graduate, it seemed true. In many ways, it was a typical graduation: caps and gowns, a procession, and a speaker. Obama was right, though, Worcester Tech is so much more than ordinary. It’s gone from a failing institution to an award-winning center of education, and center of the community. It’s gone from taking, to giving back. “We are strongest when we are working together, and when we’re looking out for one another,” the president said in closing, “And if it can happen in Worcester, it can happen anyplace.”