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Skriven 2007-06-15 23:30:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0706157) for Fri, 2007 Jun 15
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Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public
Charter School Graduation
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For Immediate Release Office of the First Lady June 15, 2007

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public
Charter School Graduation All Souls Unitarian Church Washington, D.C.



10:15 A.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Mr. Kiros. Thank you for your very kind
introduction. And thank you to Tokumbo and the entire Elsie Whitlow Stokes
community for making me an honorary graduate of your school. (Applause.)

I want to recognize Jennifer Quasdorf, the chair of the board of trustees
of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School; Mrs. Galarce, the principal
of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School; Niya Avery, the student body
president -- and Niya, that was a very beautiful speech that you made --
and the Stokes School faculty, staff and students.

Nine years ago, your school was established to honor the legacy of Elsie
Whitlow Stokes -- an Arkansas elementary-school teacher who, over the
course of 36 years, helped thousands of young people become responsible,
compassionate citizens. One of those young people was her daughter, Linda
Moore. Linda is also the Stokes School founder and executive director.
Linda. (Applause.) Every year, the sixth-grade parents give the school a
plaque inscribed with the names of each graduating student. Today, this
plaque will be presented to Linda by Erika Bryant. Erika also happens to be
the Stokes School director of operations -- and Linda's daughter. Erika is
here to celebrate the education of her graduating son, Sunny Keita -- the
education that Sunny has received at the school bearing his
great-grandmother's name.

Elsie, Linda, Erika, and Sunny remind us of how education is passed from
one generation to the next -- by our parents, who are our first teachers.
The Stokes School is supported by an outstanding group of parents. You
volunteer for school activities, you help with school fund-raisers, and you
chaperone field trips. In fact, parents of the Class of 2007 have been
working together for so long, it's hard to say who'll miss the school more
-- the students, or you. Thanks to each of you for your dedication to
Stokes School. And thank you very much for the love, support, and terrific
example you've given to your children.

But most of all, congratulations to the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Class of 2007.
(Applause.)

At last, your journey at the Stokes School comes to an end. When you
started as kindergartners back in 2000, the world was a very different
place. And you were very different people. For one thing, you were much
smaller people. (Laughter.) Mr. Bobby says he's measured your growth by the
collection of your stuff -- which has expanded from Pokemon Cards when you
were little, to the PSPs and iPods he confiscates today. (Laughter.)

Over the years and in between, you've grown into 30 accomplished and
promising young people. You've built a strong academic foundation, you've
indulged your love of learning, and you've developed your characters.
(Laughter.) As a result, you graduate today as true "Stokes Scholars" in
every sense of the word.

You've grown as scholars because of your coursework. You've mastered
English, espa ol, and fran ais. In Social Studies, you've discovered
ancient civilizations like the Mayans and the Egyptians, and you've
confronted modern-day challenges, like immigration and international human
rights. In Science Class, you learned how to make light from two potatoes.
And thanks to Albi, you learned how not to make a volcano. (Laughter and
applause.) When Albi said he'd leave his mark on the school forever, he
meant it. (Laughter and applause.)

You've grown as scholars because of the books you've read. Every year, you
celebrated the works of Dr. Seuss -- and you even tasted Green Eggs and
Ham. (Laughter.) You were reminded that all families require love and
understanding, in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. And in the pages of
Where the Red Fern Grows, two little pups helped you rediscover the
importance of loyalty and hard work.

You've become scholars through the fantastic trips you've taken. In
Virginia Beach, you explored the fascinating world of the oceans. In
Martinique, you improved your French, and learned about geology from the
island's volcanoes. You befriended local children and watched Emmanuel
bring his chess skills into the international arena.

In Panama, you practiced your Spanish, you visited the presidential palace,
and you went horseback riding among volcanic hot springs. Marcela was
practically adopted by the Kuna Indians. (Laughter.) And everyone on the
trip got tired of hearing Mr. Bobby say, "Anzhonny, take your hat off!"
(Laughter.) That reminds me, Anzhonny, Mr. Bobby asked you to give me this.
[Pulls out New York Yankees hat.] (Laughter and applause.)

You've become Stokes Scholars because of your outstanding teachers.
(Laughter.) I know that in a recent exercise, you were asked to write your
favorite memory, to write something that challenged you, and one thing you
learned in each grade. And on one post-it note after another, you wrote the
names of your teachers. Someone's favorite first-grade memory was "Having
Miss Lobo as my teacher." For the second grade, one of you wrote: "Meeting
new people like Mr. Kiros -- he's the best!" One of you wisely observed
that in the third grade, "I learned not to lean on my chair, or Mr. Alfredo
would pick me up with the chair." (Laughter.)

One of you enjoyed fourth grade because you were taught by Ms. Keeling. A
major challenge in the fifth grade was "Playing all the teachers in
football." The faculty actually tells me that the note should have actually
read, "Getting destroyed by all the teachers in football." (Laughter.) This
year, the biggest challenge you've faced -- (laughter) -- this year, the
biggest challenge you've is -- and I quote -- "Keeping Mr. Karim on his
good side." (Laughter.)

Over the years, your teachers have put up with you, cared for you, inspired
you, and believed in you. Jasiel says that someday, he wants to become a
pilot or an engineer because of Mr. Alfredo. According to Robert, your
teachers are "good people." "We look up to them," he adds. Niya says that
of all the things she'll remember about the Stokes School, "The teachers
are the best part." Class of 2007, there's no better time than now to thank
your teachers -- so please give them a round of applause. (Applause.)

You've become Stokes Scholars because of the lessons you've learned from
each other. Your families come from across the globe -- from El Salvador,
to Togo, to Albania. And with each recipe you brought in, or each family
story you've shared, you've learned about many different nations and
cultures.

You've taught each other other important lessons about friendship. Brandon
Mustafa has done such a good job of resolving conflicts, he's got a bright
future at the United Nations. (Applause.) From Harry and Aldair's sense of
humor, and Kevin's wise cracks, you've learned how to make each other
laugh. You learned how to be considerate from Malik's politeness, and
Luther's caring. You witnessed hard work and discipline in Dahir. You
learned how to be gracious, charming -- and just plain cool -- from DeJuan.
(Laughter.)

You've benefitted from your friends' extraordinary talents. You enjoyed the
musical abilities of Dominique and Brandi. You were treated to Xiomara's
acting, when she was the Great Lion in The Wiz. You cheered Greta on the
soccer field, and Gwendolyn and Ivan on the squash courts. You tried to
figure out who's the fastest runner -- Ricki, or Jay. You applauded
Willie's victories in school and city spelling bees. And you never imagined
a person could stay undefeated at chess for so long -- until you met
Norberto.

Today is the time to think back on all of the lessons you've learned at
Stokes School -- but it's also a time to look ahead. You may be nervous
about leaving such a close-knit environment, and moving on to bigger
schools. But remember that you've succeeded at Stokes School because you
upheld three important rules: I will take care of myself, I will take care
of others, and I will take care of my community. And if you keep living by
these rules, you'll succeed in middle school, and high school, and
everything that lies beyond.

Keep taking care of yourselves. Be responsible, and treat yourself with
respect. Don't let anyone discourage your dreams. Keep learning new things,
and do what you love -- whether it's art, music, chess, or sports. Most
important, keep investing in your education. Study hard, and do your
homework. Go to college, and maybe even graduate school. And be sure to
read. As Miles can tell you, there's no better place to learn and have fun
than in the pages of a good book. Maybe that's why you never see him
without one.

Keep caring for others. Show the same compassion to new people as you've
shown to your classmates. I know that every winter, the Stokes School
participates in the "Kindness and Justice Challenge." Every time you catch
each other doing something kind, you tell your teachers. And at the end of
two weeks, they count up all the times you've opened a door, helped with
homework, or cleaned up a mess you didn't make. Stokes Scholars have been
the "Kindness and Justice" champions of Washington, D.C. for the last six
years. Now, remember to be kindness and justice champions everywhere you
go.

Keep caring for the community. Be good stewards of our environment, as you
were when you helped clean up the Potomac River at Hard Bargain Farm. And
follow the example of Brandon D., the example he set on that trip, by
caring for the animals -- (laughter) -- even if your animal is a cuddly
pink pig. (Laughter.) Share with your neighbors in need, as you have
through your Walk for the Homeless. You've made hundreds of sandwiches for
Martha's Table. And in 2004, led by Tokumbo, Jay, and Oscar's efforts at
Caf Asia, your class raised more than $2,000 for tsunami victims. I hope
you'll always work to bring comfort and hope to people who are suffering --
whether they live right here in our city, or half a world away.

Today, as you graduate from the sixth grade, none of us know where life
will take you -- where you'll go to high school and college; what your
careers will be; or when you grow up, what your families will look like.
That's part of the great excitement, and adventure, of being young. But we
do know that if you remember the Stokes School's rules after you graduate
-- if you take care of yourselves, if you take care of others, and if you
take care of your community -- your paths will lead to happiness and
success.

So keep these rules in mind. Someday, when you're great lawyers,
politicians, writers, doctors, scientists, artists, athletes, or teachers,
you can point to the strong academic and personal foundation you built at
Elsie Stokes. Remember that the school is a safe place you can come home to
any time you want. And remember always the people who believed in you. No
matter how famous you become -- (laughter)-- the staff at Stokes School
will still remember you as their students.

These teachers really care about you. Mr. Kiros came all the way back from
California just to see you graduate. And if you ask him why, he'll tell you
it's because he's inspired by each of you. "They have a sense of wonder
about the world," he says about your class. "And they should always keep
that with them."

Class of 2007, keep your sense of wonder about you, as you move on to
explore the world. But before you leave, take a look around. This may be
the last time you're all together as a class -- so take a minute to say
good-bye to each other. As you do, you can be proud of everything you've
accomplished, grateful for everything you've received, and excited about
everything that awaits you. We're all very proud and excited for you.

Congratulations to each and every member of the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Class
of 2007. (Applause.) Thank you for letting me share this special day with
you. And God bless each and every one of you. (Applause.)

END 10:32 A.M. EDT
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