奧巴馬開學演講詞

奧巴馬開學演講詞篇一：奧巴馬開學演講(中英文)

美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬9月8日開學演講

REMARKSBYTHEPRESIDENT

INANATIONALADDRESSTOAMERICA'SSCHOOLCHILDREN

WakefieldHighSchool

Arlington,Virginia

Hello,everybody!Thankyou.Thankyou.Thankyou,everybody.

嗨，大家好！謝謝！謝謝大家！

Allright,everybodygoaheadandhaveaseat.Howiseverybodygoingtoday好的，大家請就座。你們今天過得怎么樣？蒂姆.斯派塞好嗎？

IamherewithstudentsatWakefieldHighSchoolinArlington,Virginia.Andwe'vegotstudentstuninginfromallacrossAmerica,fromkindergartenthrough12thgrade.AndIamjustsogladthatallcouldjoinustoday.AndIwanttothankWakefieldforbeingsuchanoutstandinghost.Giveyourselvesabigroundofapplause.

我如今與弗吉尼亞州阿靈頓郡維克菲爾德高中的學生們在一起。全國各地也有從幼兒園到高三的眾多學生們，通過電視關注這里。我很快樂你們能共同分享這一時刻。我還有感謝維克菲爾德高中出色的組織安排，請為你們熱烈鼓掌。Iknowthatformanyofyou,todayisthefirstdayofschool.Andforthoseofyouinkindergarten,orstartingmiddleorhighschool,it'syourfirstdayinanewschool,soit'sunderstandableifyou'realittlenervous.

我知道，對你們中的許多人來說，今天是開學的第一天。對于剛進入幼兒園或升上初中高中的學生，今天是你們來到新學校的第一天。因此，假設你們搞到有些緊張，那也是正常的。Iimaginetherearesomeseniorsouttherewhoarefeelingprettygoodrightnow--withjustonemoreyeartogo.Andnomatterwhatgradeyou'rein,someofyouareprobablywishingitwerestillsummerandyoucould'vestayedinbedjustalittlebitlongerthismorning.

我想也會有許多畢業(yè)班的學生們正自信滿滿，還有一年就畢業(yè)了。不管在哪個年級，許多人打心底里希望如今還是暑假。今天早上還能多睡一小會。

Iknowthatfeeling.WhenIwasyoung,myfamilylivedoverseas.IlivedinIndonesiaforafewyears.Andmymother,shedidn'thavethemoneytosendmewherealltheAmerican

kidswenttoschool,butshethoughtitwasimportantformetokeepupwithanAmericaneducation.

我可以理解這份心情。小時候，我們家生活中海外。我在印度尼西亞住了幾年。我母親沒有錢送我上其他美國孩子上的學校。但她認為必須讓我承受美式教育。

Soshedecidedtoteachmeextralessonsherself,MondaythroughFriday.Butbecauseshehadtogotowork,theonlytimeshecoulddoitwasat4:30inthemorning.

因此，他決定從周一到周五自己給我補課。不過她還要上夜班。所以只能在清晨四點半給我上課。

Now,asyoumightimagine,Iwasn'ttoohappyaboutgettingupthatearly.Andalotoftimes,I'dfallasleeprightthereatthekitchentable.ButwheneverI'dplain,mymotherwouldjustgivemeoneofthoselooksandshe'dsay,"Thisisnopicnicformeeither,buster."

你們可以想象，我不太情愿那么早起床。有很屢次，我趴在餐桌上就睡著了。每當我抱怨的時候，我媽媽總會用同一副表情看著我說：“小鬼，你以為教你我就很輕松？〞

SoIknowthatsomeofyouarestilladjustingtobeingbackatschool.ButI'mheretodaybecauseIhavesomethingimportanttodiscusswithyou.I'mherebecauseIwanttotalkwithyouaboutyoureducationandwhat'sexpectedofallofyouinthisnewschoolyear.所有我能理解你們有些人還在適應開學后的生活。但幾天我站在這里，是為了和你們談一些重要的事情。我要和你們談一談你們每一個人的教育，以及這個新學年對你們所有人的期望。

Now,I'vegivenalotofspeechesabouteducation.AndI'vetalkedaboutresponsibilityalot.我做過許多關于教育的講話。也常常用到“責任〞這個詞。

I'vetalkedaboutteachers'responsibilityforinspiringstudentsandpushingyoutolearn.我談到過教師有責任鼓勵你們，催促你們學習。

I'vetalkedaboutyourparents'responsibilityformakingsureyoustayontrack,andyougetyourhomeworkdone,anddon'tspendeverywakinghourinfrontoftheTVorwiththeXbox.我談到過家長有責任確保你們走正道、完成家庭作業(yè)，不要成天只會看電視或打游戲機。

I'vetalkedalotaboutyourgovernment'sresponsibilityforsettinghighstandards,and

supportingteachersandprincipals,andturningaroundschoolsthataren'tworking,wherestudentsaren'tgettingtheopportunitiesthattheydeserve.

我也屢次談到過政府有責任制定高標準協(xié)助教師和校長的工作，改變在有些學校學生得不到應有的學習時機的現(xiàn)狀。Butattheendoftheday,wecanhavethemostdedicatedteachers,themostsupportiveparents,thebestschoolsintheworld--andnoneofitwillmakeadifference,noneofitwillmatterunlessallofyoufulfillyourresponsibilities,unlessyoushowuptothoseschools,

unlessyoupayattentiontothoseteachers,unlessyoulistentoyourparentsand

grandparentsandotheradultsandputinthehardworkittakestosucceed.That'swhatIwanttofocusontoday:theresponsibilityeachofyouhasforyoureducation.

但哪怕這一切都到達最好，哪怕我們擁有最敬業(yè)的教師，最盡力的家長和全世界最好的學校，假設你們不去履行自己的責任的話，那么這一切努力都會白費。除非你每天準時去上學，除非你認真聽教師講課，除非你把父母、長輩和其他大人們的話放在心上。除非你肯付出成功所必需的努力。否那么這一切都會失去意識。而這就是我今天講話的重點：你們每個人對自己的教育應盡的責任。

Iwanttostartwiththeresponsibilityyouhavetoyourself.Everysingleoneofyouhas

somethingthatyou'regoodat.Everysingleoneofyouhassomethingtooffer.Andyouhavearesponsibilitytoyourselftodiscoverwhatthatis.That'stheopportunityaneducationcanprovide.

我首先要講講你們對自己應盡的責任。你們每一個都有自己的長處，你們每個人都時有用之才。你們對自己應盡的責任時發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的才能所在。而教育可以提供這樣的時機

Maybeyoucouldbeagreatwriter--maybeevengoodenoughtowriteabookorarticlesinanewspaper--butyoumightnotknowituntilyouwritethatEnglishpaper--thatEnglishclasspaperthat'sassignedtoyou.

或許你能寫出優(yōu)美的文字，甚至有一天能將那些文字出如今書籍和報刊上，但假設不再英語課上經常練習寫作，你不會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己有這樣的才能。

Maybeyoucouldbeaninnovatororaninventor--maybeevengoodenoughtoeupwiththenextiPhoneorthenewmedicineorvaccine--butyoumightnotknowituntilyoudoyourprojectforyourscienceclass.MaybeyoucouldbeamayororasenatororaSupremeCourtjustice--butyoumightnotknowthatuntilyoujoinstudentgovernmentorthedebateteam.或許你能成為一名創(chuàng)新家或創(chuàng)造家。甚至可能設計出新一代iPhone，或研制出新型藥物與疫苗。但假設不再自然科學課堂上做上幾次試驗，你不會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己有這樣的才能?；蛟S你能成為一名市長或參議員，或最高法院的大法官，但假設你不去參加或參加幾次辯論賽，你不會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己有這樣的才能。

Andnomatterwhatyouwanttodowithyourlife,Iguaranteethatyou'llneedaneducationtodoit.

不管你的生活的志向是什么，我敢肯定你都需要相應的教育。

Youwanttobeadoctor,orateacher,orapoliceofficerarchitect,alawyeroramemberofourmilitaryYou'vegottotrainforitandworkforitandlearnforit.

你想當醫(yī)生、教師或警官嗎？你想當護士、建筑師、律師或軍人嗎？你必須承受良好的教育才能從事上述任何一種職業(yè)。你不能指望輟學后碰上個好工作。你必須承受培訓，為之努力，為之學習。

Andthisisn'tjustimportantforyourownlifeandyourownfuture.Whatyoumakeofyoureducationwilldecidenothinglessthanthefutureofthiscountry.ThefutureofAmericadependsonyou.Whatyou'relearninginschooltodaywilldeterminewhetherweasanationcanmeetourgreatestchallengesinthefuture.

這并非只對你個人的人生和將來意義重大。教育給你帶來的好處將決定這個國家的將來。美國的將來取決于你們。今天你們在學校中的學習內容，將決定我們整個國家在將來迎接重大挑戰(zhàn)時的表現(xiàn)。

You'llneedtheknowledgeandproblem-solvingskillsyoulearninscienceandmathtocurediseaseslikecancerandAIDS,andtodevelopnewenergytechnologiesandprotectourenvironment.

你們需要在數(shù)理科學課程上學習知識和技能，去治療癌癥、艾滋病那樣的疾病。開發(fā)新的能源技術保護我們的環(huán)境。You'llneedtheinsightsandcritical-thinkingskillsyougaininhistoryandsocialstudiestofightpovertyandhomelessness,crimeanddiscrimination,andmakeournationmorefairandmorefree.You'llneedthecreativityandingenuityyoudevelopinallyourclassestobuildnewpaniesthatwillcreatenewjobsandboostoureconomy.

你們需要歷史社會科課程上活動觀察的才能與判斷力來抗擊貧困和解決無家可歸的問題打擊犯罪和消除歧視，讓這個國家變得更加公平和自由。你們需要在各類課程中逐漸培養(yǎng)創(chuàng)造力和智慧去創(chuàng)辦公司，制造就業(yè)時機和推動經濟增長。Weneedeverysingleoneofyoutodevelopyourtalentsandyourskillsandyourintellectsoyoucanhelpusoldfolkssolveourmostdifficultproblems.Ifyoudon'tdothat--ifyouquitonschool--you'renotjustquittingonyourself,you'requittingonyourcountry.

我們需要你們每一個人都發(fā)揮天賦、技能和才智，幫助老一輩人解決我們面臨的最棘手問題。假設你們不這樣做，入股你們輟學，你們不僅放棄了自己，也放棄了自己的國家。

Now,Iknowit'snotalwayseasytodowellinschool.Iknowalotofyouhavechallengesinyourlivesrightnowthatcanmakeithardtofocusonyourschoolwork.

我當然明白讀好書不是件容易的事，我知道你們中的許多人在生活中面臨著各種問題。很難把精力集中在專心讀書上。Igetit.Iknohatit'slike.MyfatherleftmyfamilywhenIwastwoyearsold,andIwasraisedbyasinglemomwhohadtoworkandwhostruggledattimestopaythebillsandwasn'talwaysabletogiveusthethingsthatotherkidshad.

我明白這一點，我有親身感受。我父親在我兩歲時就分開了家庭，是我母親一個人將我拉扯大，母親不得不工作并時

常為支付生活費而苦苦掙扎。但有時仍無法位我們提供其他孩子享有的東西。

ThereweretimeswhenImissedhavingafatherinmylife.ThereweretimeswhenIwaslonelyandIfeltlikeIdidn'tfitin.

有時我渴望生活中能有一位父親。有時我也會感到孤獨無助，感覺到與周圍的環(huán)境格格不入。

SoIwasn'talwaysasfocusedasIshouldhavebeenonschool,andIdidsomethingsI'mnotproudof,andIgotinmoretroublethanIshouldhave.Andmylifecouldhaveeasilytakenaturnfortheworse.

我并非總是想我應該做到的那樣專心學習，我做過許多自己覺得丟臉的事情，也惹出許多不該惹的費事。我的生活岌岌可危，隨時可能急轉直下。

ButIwas--Iwaslucky.Igotalotofsecondchances,andIhadtheopportunitytogotocollegeandlawschoolandfollowmydreams.Mywife,ourFirstLadyMichelleObama,shehasasimilarstory.Neitherofherparentshadgonetocollege,andtheydidn'thavealotofmoney.Buttheyworkedhard,andsheworkedhard,sothatshecouldgotothebestschoolsinthiscountry.

但我很幸運，在許多事情上都得到了重來的時機。我有幸能上大學，上法學院，追求自己的理想。我的妻子，我們的第一夫人馬歇爾.奧巴馬，也有著類似的人生故事。她的父母親都沒有讀過大學，也沒有什么財產，但他們都非常勤奮，她也是如此。因此她得以進入一些美國最好的學校。

Someofyoumightnothavethoseadvantages.Maybeyoudon'thaveadultsinyourlifewhogiveyouthesupportthatyouneed.Maybesomeoneinyourfamilyhaslosttheirjobandthere'snotenoughmoneytogoaround.Maybeyouliveinaneighborhoodwhereyoudon'tfeelsafe,orhavefriendswhoarepressuringyoutodothingsyouknowaren'tright.

你們中有些人可能沒有那些有利條件?；蛟S你們的生活中沒有能為你提供幫助的長輩?；蛟S你們家長中有人失業(yè)，經濟非常拮據(jù)?；蛟S你住的社區(qū)不那么平安，或許你認識一些會對你產生不良影響的朋友。

Butattheendoftheday,thecircumstancesofyourlife--whatyoulooklike,whereyouefrom,howmuchmoneyyouhave,whatyou'vegotgoingonathome--noneofthatisanexcuseforneglectingyourhomeworkorhavingabadattitudeinschool.That'snoexcusefortalkingbacktoyourteacher,orcuttingclass,ordroppingoutofschool.Thereisnoexcusefornottrying.

但歸根結底，你的生活狀況，你的長相、出身、經濟條件、家庭氣氛，都不是忽略學業(yè)和態(tài)度惡劣的借口。這些不是你去跟教師頂嘴、逃課或輟學的借口。這些不是你不好好讀書的借口。

Whereyouarerightnowdoesn'thavetodeterminewhereyou'llendup.Noone'swritten

篇二：奧巴馬開學中英文演講稿

奧巴馬開學中英文演講稿〔全文〕

Hello,everybody!Thankyou.Thankyou.Thankyou,everybody.Allright,everybodygoaheadandhaveaseat.Howiseverybodydoingtoday大家好!謝謝你們。謝謝你們。謝謝你們大家。好，大家請就坐。你們今天都好嗎我知道，今天是你們很多人開學的日子。對于進入小學預備班、初中或高中的學生，今天是你們來到新學校的第一天，心里可能有點緊張，這是可以理解的。我能想象有些畢業(yè)班學生如今感覺很不錯——(掌聲)——還有一年就畢業(yè)了。不管在哪個年級，你們有些人可能希望暑假更長一點，今天早上還能多睡一小會兒。

Iknowthatfeeling.WhenIwasyoung,myfamilylivedoverseas.IlivedinIndonesiaforafewyears.Andmymother,shedidn’thavethemoneytosendmewherealltheAmericankidswenttoschool,butshethoughtitwasimportantformetokeepupwithanAmericaneducation.Soshedecidedtoteachmeextralessonsherself,MondaythroughFriday.Butbecauseshehadtogotowork,theonlytimeshecoulddoitwasat4:30inthemorning.

我理解這種感覺。我小時候，我們家生活在海外。我在印度尼西亞住了幾年。我媽媽沒有錢送我上其他美國孩子上的學校，但她認為必須讓我承受美式教育。因此，她決定從周一到周五自己給我補課。不過她還要上班，所以只能在清晨四點半給我上課。

Now,asyoumightimagine,Iwasn’ttoohappyaboutgettingupthatearly.Andalotoftimes,I’dfallasleeprightthereatthekitchentable.ButwheneverI’dplain,mymotherwouldjustgivemeoneofthoselooksandshe’dsay,“Thisisnopicnicformeeither,buster.〞(Laughter.)你們可以想見，我不太情愿那么早起床。有很屢次，我趴在餐桌上就睡著了。但每當我抱怨的時候，我媽媽都會那樣地看我一眼，然后說：“小子，這對我也并不輕松。〞(笑聲)SoIknowthatsomeofyouarestilladjustingtobeingbackatschool.ButI’mheretodaybecauseIhavesomethingimportanttodiscusswithyou.I’mherebecauseIwanttotalkwithyouaboutyoureducationandwhat’sexpectedofallofyouinthisnewschoolyear.

我知道你們有些人還在適應開學后的生活。但我今天來到這里是因為有重要的事情要和你們說。我來這里是要和你們談談你們的教育問題，以及在這個新學年對你們所有人的期望。Now,I’vegivenalotofspeechesabouteducation.AndI’vetalkedaboutresponsibilityalot.我做過很屢次有關教育問題的演講。我屢次談到過責任問題。

I’vetalkedaboutteachers’responsibilityforinspiringstudentsandpushingyoutolearn.我談到過教師鼓勵學生并催促他們學習的責任。

I’vetalkedaboutyourparents’responsibilityformakingsureyoustayontrack,andyouget

yourhomeworkdone,anddon’tspendeverywakinghourinfrontoftheTVorwiththeXbox.我談到過家長的責任，要確保你們走正路，完成家庭作業(yè)，不要整天坐在電視前或玩Xbox游戲。

I’vetalkedalotaboutyourgovernment’sresponsibilityforsettinghighstandards,andsupportingteachersandprincipals,andturningaroundschoolsthataren’tworking,wherestudentsaren’tgettingtheopportunitiesthattheydeserve.

我屢次談到過政府的責任，要制定高標準，支持教師和校長的工作，徹底改善不能為學生提供給有時機的、教育質量差的學校。

Butattheendoftheday,wecanhavethemostdedicatedteachers,themostsupportiveparents,thebestschoolsintheworld--andnoneofitwillmakeadifference,noneofitwillmatterunlessallofyoufulfillyourresponsibilities,unlessyoushowuptothoseschools,unlessyoupayattentiontothoseteachers,unlessyoulistentoyourparentsandgrandparentsandotheradultsandputinthehardworkittakestosucceed.That’swhatIwanttofocusontoday:theresponsibilityeachofyouhasforyoureducation.

然而，即使我們擁有最敬業(yè)的教師，最盡力的家長和全世界最好的學校——假設你們大家不履行你們的責任，不到校上課，不專心聽講，不聽家長、祖父祖母和其他大人的話，不付出獲得成功所必須的勤奮努力，那么這一切都毫無用處，都無關緊要。這就是我今天講話的重點：你們每個人對自己的教育應盡的責任。

Iwanttostartwiththeresponsibilityyouhavetoyourself.Everysingleoneofyouhassomethingthatyou’regoodat.Everysingleoneofyouhassomethingtooffer.Andyouhavearesponsibilitytoyourselftodiscoverwhatthatis.That’stheopportunityaneducationcanprovide.我首先要講講你們對自己應盡的責任。你們每個人都有自己的長處。你們每個人都能做出自己的奉獻。你們對自己應盡的責任是發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的才能所在。而教育可以提供這樣的時機。Maybeyoucouldbeagreatwriter--maybeevengoodenoughtowriteabookorarticlesinanewspaper--butyoumightnotknowituntilyouwritethatEnglishpaper--thatEnglishclasspaperthat’sassignedtoyou.Maybeyoucouldbeaninnovatororaninventor--maybeevengoodenoughtoeupwiththenextiPhoneorthenewmedicineorvaccine--butyoumightnotknowituntilyoudoyourprojectforyourscienceclass.MaybeyoucouldbeamayororasenatororaSupremeCourtjustice--butyoumightnotknowthatuntilyoujoinstudentgovernmentorthedebateteam.

你或許能成為一名出色的作家——甚至可能寫書或在報紙上發(fā)表文章——但你可能要在完成那篇英文課的作文后才會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的才華。你或許能成為一名創(chuàng)新者或創(chuàng)造家——甚至可能設計出新一代iPhone或研制出新型藥物或疫苗——但你可能要在完成科學課的實驗后才會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的才華。你或許能成為一名市長或參議員或最高法院的大法官——但你可能要在參加學生會的工作或辯論隊后才會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的才華。

Andnomatterwhatyouwanttodowithyourlife,Iguaranteethatyou’llneedaneducationtodoit.Youwanttobeadoctor,orateacher,orapoliceofficer不管你的生活志向是什么，我敢肯定你必須上學讀書才能實現(xiàn)它。你想當醫(yī)生、教師或警官嗎educationwilldecidenothinglessthanthefutureofthiscountry.ThefutureofAmericadependsonyou.Whatyou’relearninginschooltodaywilldeterminewhetherweasanationcanmeetourgreatestchallengesinthefuture.

這并非只對你個人的人生和將來意義重大?？梢院敛豢浯蟮卣f，教育給你帶來的好處將決定這個國家的將來。美國的將來取決于你們。你們今日在校學習的知識將決定我們作為一個國家是否可以迎接我們將來所面臨的最嚴峻挑戰(zhàn)。

You’llneedtheknowledgeandproblem-solvingskillsyoulearninscienceandmathtocurediseaseslikecancerandAIDS,andtodevelopnewenergytechnologiesandprotectourenvironment.You’llneedtheinsightsandcritical-thinkingskillsyougaininhistoryandsocialstudiestofightpovertyandhomelessness,crimeanddiscrimination,andmakeournationmorefairandmorefree.You’llneedthecreativityandingenuityyoudevelopinallyourclassestobuildnewpaniesthatwillcreatenewjobsandboostoureconomy.

你們將需要利用你們通過自然科學和數(shù)學課程所學到的知識和解決問題的才能來治愈癌癥、艾滋病及其他疾病，開發(fā)新的能源技術和保護我們的環(huán)境。你們將需要利用你們在歷史學和社會學課堂上所獲得的知識和獨立考慮才能來抗擊貧困和解決無家可歸問題，打擊犯罪和消除歧視，使我們的國家更公平、更自由。你們將需要利用你們在所有課堂上培養(yǎng)的創(chuàng)造力和智慧來創(chuàng)辦新公司，增加就業(yè)時機，振興我們的經濟。

Weneedeverysingleoneofyoutodevelopyourtalentsandyourskillsandyourintellectsoyoucanhelpusoldfolkssolveourmostdifficultproblems.Ifyoudon’tdothat--ifyouquitonschool--you’renotjustquittingonyourself,you’requittingonyourcountry.

我們需要你們每個人發(fā)揮你們的聰明才智和技能，以便幫助老一輩人解決我們面臨的最棘手問題。假設你們不這樣做，假設你們輟學，你們不僅僅是自暴自棄，也是拋棄自己的國家。

Now,Iknowit’snotalwayseasytodowellinschool.Iknowalotofyouhavechallengesinyourlivesrightnowthatcanmakeithardtofocusonyourschoolwork.

我自然知道要做到學業(yè)優(yōu)秀并非總是易事。我知道你們許多人在生活中面臨挑戰(zhàn)，難以集中精力從事學業(yè)。

Igetit.Iknohatit’slike.MyfatherleftmyfamilywhenIwastwoyearsold,andIwasraisedbyasinglemomwhohadtoworkandwhostruggledattimestopaythebillsandwasn’talwaysabletogiveusthethingsthatotherkidshad.ThereweretimeswhenImissedhavingafatherinmylife.ThereweretimeswhenIwaslonelyandIfeltlikeIdidn’tfitin.

我明白這一點。我有親身感受。兩歲時，我父親離家而去，我是由一位單親母親撫養(yǎng)成人的，母親不得不工作，并時常為支付生活費用而苦苦掙扎，但有時仍無法為我們提供其他孩子享有的東西。有時，我渴望生活中能有一位父親。有時我感到孤獨，感到自己不適應社會。

SoIwasn’talwaysasfocusedasIshouldhavebeenonschool,andIdidsomethingsI’mnotproudof,andIgotinmoretroublethanIshouldhave.Andmylifecouldhaveeasilytakenaturnfortheworse.

我并非總是像我應該做到的那樣專心學習，我也曾做過我如今不能引以為豪的一些事情，我曾惹過不應該惹的費事。我的人生本來會輕易陷入更糟糕的境地

奧巴馬開學中英文演講稿〔全文〕

Hello,everybody!Thankyou.Thankyou.Thankyou,everybody.Allright,everybodygoaheadandhaveaseat.HowiseverybodydoingtodayIknowthatformanyofyou,todayisthefirstdayofschool.Andforthoseofyouinkindergarten,orstartingmiddleorhighschool,it’syourfirstdayinanewschool,soit’sunderstandableifyou’realittlenervous.Iimaginetherearesomeseniorsouttherewhoarefeelingprettygoodrightnow--(applause)--withjustonemoreyeartogo.Andnomatterwhatgradeyou’rein,someofyouareprobablywishingitwerestillsummerandyoucould’vestayedinbedjustalittlebitlongerthismorning.

Iknowthatfeeling.WhenIwasyoung,myfamilylivedoverseas.IlivedinIndonesiaforafewyears.Andmymother,shedidn’thavethemoneytosendmewherealltheAmericankidswenttoschool,butshethoughtitwasimportantformetokeepupwithanAmericaneducation.Soshedecidedtoteachmeextralessonsherself,MondaythroughFriday.Butbecauseshehadtogotowork,theonlytimeshecoulddoitwasat4:30inthemorning.

Now,asyoumightimagine,Iwasn’ttoohappyaboutgettingupthatearly.Andalotoftimes,I’dfallasleeprightthereatthekitchentable.ButwheneverI’dplain,mymotherwouldjustgivemeoneofthoselooksandshe’dsay,“Thisisnopicnicformeeither,buster.〞(Laughter.)SoIknowthatsomeofyouarestilladjustingtobeingbackatschool.ButI’mheretodaybecauseIhavesomethingimportanttodiscusswithyou.I’mherebecauseIwanttotalkwithyouaboutyoureducationandwhat’sexpectedofallofyouinthisnewschoolyear.

Now,I’vegivenalotofspeechesabouteducation.AndI’vetalkedaboutresponsibilityalot.

I’vetalkedaboutteachers’responsibilityforinspiringstudentsandpushingyoutolearn.I’vetalkedaboutyourparents’responsibilityformakingsureyoustayontrack,andyougetyourhomeworkdone,anddon’tspendeverywakinghourinfrontoftheTVorwiththeXbox.I’vetalkedalotaboutyourgovernment’sresponsibilityforsettinghighstandards,andsupportingteachersandprincipals,andturningaroundschoolsthataren’tworking,wherestudentsaren’tgettingtheopportunitiesthattheydeserve.

Butattheendoftheday,wecanhavethemostdedicatedteachers,themostsupportiveparents,thebestschoolsintheworld--andnoneofitwillmakeadifference,noneofitwillmatterunlessallofyoufulfillyourresponsibilities,unlessyoushowuptothoseschools,unlessyoupayattentiontothoseteachers,unlessyoulistentoyourparentsandgrandparentsandotheradultsandputinthehardworkittakestosucceed.That’swhatIwanttofocusontoday:theresponsibilityeachofyouhasforyoureducation.

Iwanttostartwiththeresponsibilityyouhavetoyourself.Everysingleoneofyouhassomethingthatyou’regoodat.Everysingleoneofyouhassomethingtooffer.Andyouhavearesponsibilitytoyourselftodiscoverwhatthatis.That’stheopportunityaneducationcanprovide.Maybeyoucouldbeagreatwriter--maybeevengoodenoughtowriteabookorarticlesinanewspaper--butyoumightnotknowituntilyouwritethatEnglishpaper--thatEnglishclasspaperthat’sassignedtoyou.Maybeyoucouldbeaninnovatororaninventor--maybeevengood

enoughtoeupwiththenextiPhoneorthenewmedici