Posted on 04/19/2014 5:33:50 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) If expanding the guest list to include Michelle Obama at graduation for high school students in the Kansas capital city means fewer seats for friends and family, some students and their parents would prefer the first lady not attend.
A furor over what the Topeka school district considers an honor has erupted after plans were announced for Obama to address a combined graduation ceremony for five area high schools next month an 8,000-seat arena. For some, it was the prospect of a tight limit on the number of seats allotted to each graduate. For others, it was the notion that Obama's speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools, would overshadow the student's big day.
"I'm a single mother who has raised him for 18 years by myself," said Tina Hernandez, parent of Topeka High School senior Dauby Knight. "I've told him education is the only way out. This is one of the biggest days of their lives. They've taken the glory and shine from the children and put on Mrs. Obama. She doesn't know our kids."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Don’t you know? With the Obama’s EVERYTHING is about THEM...
I would never invite an Obama to any meaningful ceremony. It should be about the kids, and the guest speaker (if any, I’d rather see a valedictorian speak) should be an inspirational local role model, not an example of government dependence gone bad.
It’s all about Mooch...
Maybe it’s just me, but there was something special about having graduation IN the school where I had spent my entire life as a teenager. Having a city ‘general assembly’ just doesn’t get it. Where is that ‘final goodby?’
It would be interesting to compare these graduates' literacy and numeracy to that of black high school graduates 60 years ago.
Most schools don’t have an indoor space big enough for all the graduates and guests.
My graduation was in the school football stadium, and there was no limit on attendance. In later years, it was decided that outdoor graduation was too hot (or rainy), and they started holding them in the city convention center. This required issuing limited numbers of tickets to each graduate for his family/guests.
The Board of 501 school district dropped this on their high schools on Thursday afternoon. Mooch couldn’t draw a crowd of 100 here so this is a completely captive audience. Literally.
To say we’ll have a turnover at the next local election is an understatement.
“This is one of the biggest days of their lives. They’ve taken the glory and shine from the children and put on Mrs. Obama. She doesn’t know our kids.”
Obamas believe the world revolves around their sorry asses.
I figured this was planned at a high level in the schools administration. No students and very few parents would agree, if asked.
Topeka West students had announced a petition at Change.org but it looks like their submission didn’t make the PC cut. Should be some choice comments at the cjonline.com site.
Also a one-sided office pool on whether she’ll get away with her real intention: a fundraiser for the SOL Kansas Democrats.
There is that and each school has it’s own tradition. Apparently the bagpipes are played at one of these schools ceremonies and will be squeezed in with pieces from other ceremonies.
At my school we graduated at the church across the street. However, we got dressed and lined up in the school and there was a procession from the school to the church. It’s a BIG DEAL still today to participate in “the walk.”
That is what Moochie needs - another platform to push her personal agenda.
Graduation exercises are a recognition of achievement, not a certification program. Parents are perfectly capable of gathering their chirren at a local church and holding a fabulous graduation honor program complete with valedictorian, local talent and great food. That would be meaningful, as opposed to some trumped up mega event that loses all uniqueness and personal recognition. I would hope those who are opposed to politicians capitalizing on their children’s achievement will take this step.
Outside of liberal Lawrence, Kansas is not Obama country.
Domestic terrorists!
Michelle could issue each student an Obama-phone (as a graduation present) and give a remote address from the comfort of the White House. Everyone would be happy.
I would invite Obama to speak at the opening of a outhouse. It only seems fitting since he is a expert.
All the students should show up wearing half a watermelon for a hat and a KFC T-shirt.
That would nullify the Mooch’s photo op, you would never see that on TV!
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