WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama delivered his controversial speech to the nation's school kids on Tuesday, encouraging the young to take responsibility for their own futures.
"At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents and the best schools in the world, and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities," Obama told a crowd of 1,500 pupils gathered inside the gym at Wakefield High School in suburban Arlington, Va.
In his speech, Obama said: "Every single one of you has something that you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is."
Obama also encouraged school students to show perseverance through thick and thin.
"Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it," he said.
Added Obama: "The truth is, being successful is hard. You won't love every subject that you study. You won't click with every teacher that you have."
Obama's planned speech was met with plenty of criticism from organizations and individuals who argued that the local education setting was not a welcome place to push politics.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyI7VsmrBrk&feature=related]
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsU9mgwhRR0&feature=related]
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