Thank you Sarojinee for that kind introduction. I'm happy to be here today to recognize the graduates, your families and all those that helped you to make it to this important day. Congratulations. As you look around this room, you will see those who have always believed in you: your teachers, your family, your classmates, and everybody up here on stage.

Many of us were saddened to learn of John Walton's death this week. John was a humble person who saw education as the key to solving America's most pressing problems. He thought the best way to improve the system was to inject a little competition into it, so he worked tirelessly—and without fanfare—to create educational options like charter schools and scholarships. Through his family foundation, he helped pay for tens of thousands kids to attend private schools, and every Washington Scholarship Fund (WSF) scholar has benefited from his generosity. Even though John didn't live to see your graduation day, I know that he would be very proud of all of you, just like all of us who are here.

I'm happy to see Mayor Anthony Williams and Congressman Tom Davis, and Boyden Gray and Larry Nussdorf from the Washington Scholarship Fund Board of Directors—I'm sorry that your chairman, Joe Robert, could not be with us today. Thank you for joining me in recognizing these outstanding kids and families and this wonderful scholarship program. Thanks also to WSF President Sally Sachar, Kaleem Claire of Fight for Children, Reverend Thornell from the Fishing School, and my friend Ginny Walden Ford of D.C. Parents for School Choice. Your dedication to these children is an inspiration.

You know, my own daughter Mary graduated from high school last month. I paid extra close attention to the speakers at her graduation so that I would know what to say to you today. I think I'm supposed to give you all some advice now. So here goes: Floss your teeth every day. I'm a devout flosser myself.

Seriously though, I know you've got a lot of listening ahead of you. So I promise to be brief. The faster this ceremony goes, the faster you're free to go home and enjoy your well-deserved summer vacation.

You are here today because the people in this room know that education is the ticket to achievement. A quality education helps you fulfill your potential. It lets you give back to your communities and our country—and our country needs your skills very much.

You may not have liked the homework, but I think you know that it made you learn. You wouldn't be here today if you hadn't been challenged—not just academically, but as a young person. You learned about character. Perseverance. Responsibility.

This day is a tribute to high expectations. The people sitting in this room are pioneers: they took a chance because they hoped to create a better life for you.

I can tell you from experience that parents want the best for their children. I know I do. So do your family members who are here. I spoke with some of your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and guardians in February when they were looking into scholarships for you. And I remember their devotion to you and their high hopes for your futures.

Marjorie Hodges was one of the first people to get help from WSF. Her son, Maurice Dunn, just graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School here in Washington.

Which happens to be the rival of my daughter's high school, Bishop Ireton. But we'll forgive him for that.

Maurice is going to Hampton University in the fall. He says he's going to major in business administration and become an accountant. His mom says she wants him to be whatever he wants to be, as long as he remembers he only has one life to live—so he should make the best of it.

I couldn't possibly give you better advice than that.

In fact, my best advice to you today would be to follow your loved ones' example. Every day, they are showing you how to be trail-blazers. They always had high expectations. And they wouldn't settle for anything less than the best for you.

Raj Rathor's daughter Sarojinee introduced me today. I heard that she wants to be either an astronaut or a dentist when she grows up. She says she might be an astronaut because she likes the idea that the stars are right there in front of you, but you still don't understand them. She might be a dentist because she thinks, "It's interesting to look at other people's teeth."

God bless you Sarojinee. And keep flossing.

Janay Watson, an eighth-grader who is graduating today, wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Not only would she be the first doctor in her family, she would the first to complete college.

Janay's grandmother Marie Watson says, "It's important to put a child where they would be best educated." I couldn't agree more.

I believe that every child in America should have the chance to be whatever he or she wants to be. It is my job as secretary of education to help make sure that all children have the opportunity to learn and succeed. President Bush and I care a lot about you. That's why the he signed the No Child Left Behind Act three years ago.

As President Bush says, "We are challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations." We will continue working to make sure that every school in America has high expectations and that every child receives the quality education he or she deserves.

You graduates have earned an outstanding education. As students, you were challenged each day by people who believed in you, encouraged you, and pushed you to achieve. They have taught you a lot about hope.

Forty of you are about to earn your high school diplomas and to enter into a highly competitive world. And I'm not talking just about college, although I understand that so many of you are going on to college—congratulations (there will be even more studying!).

Even if you're not going to college right away, think about going in the future. Eighty percent of the fastest-growing jobs require some education after high school. And with the right foundation, you can—and should—get those jobs.

America needs your talents and your energy to remain a hopeful and innovative place.

What kind of people do you want to become? What will you do to make our country better?

You're going to need some help along the way in life. I did, and I bet a lot of the other adults here did, too. Fortunately, you are blessed with the love and support of so many people. We think you can make history.

You may not know it, but you already have made history by being part of the Washington Scholarship Fund program. WSF was started 12 years ago by two guys working out of a basement. In the program's first year, Doug Dewey and George Pieler gave out about 30 scholarships that helped parents send their kids to better schools.

Over the years, the Washington Scholarship Fund has changed many lives for the better, as you know well. Doug and George and Sally and all of the WSF board members helped make your education possible. Thanks to them, and thanks to local and national political leaders from both parties, some of you benefit from the first-ever federally funded scholarships to increase educational choices for families. There is power in choice—and organizations like WSF give parents more power to control their children's education. And that, my friends, is why the president and I support school choice programs.

Since it began, WSF has provided more than $18 million in scholarships to nearly 4,000 K-12 students. More than 1,800 students took advantage of scholarships this year, and that number will grow even higher next year. That's quite an accomplishment, and it proves that all of us can make a difference. So I ask those of you graduating today—who among you will be the next Doug Dewey and George Pieler? How are you going to make a difference? Because all of you are going to change the world—it's just a matter of how.

You all are participating in an experiment that I hope will spread throughout the country. America needs more programs like the Washington Scholarship Fund. WSF is living evidence that school choice works, and today's graduates are the best proof we could offer to anybody who disagrees. President Bush and I will keep fighting for these programs, and I hope you will help too.

Again, congratulations to each one of you. Tomorrow will be filled with new challenges. As you work to fulfill your dreams, you should not only look forward but also look back. Anytime anybody tells you that you can't do something, remember the people who helped you get here today. Know your future was built on a foundation of hope, faith, and hard work. Try to look out for another young person the way your loved ones looked out for you. And as you succeed—and I know you will—remember this time and each of the people who helped you receive the greatest gift of all: knowledge. Best of luck to all of you.

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