The Clarion

Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Greg Timm President Obama speaks at Wright Middle School during his visit to Madison on Nov. 4

On Nov. 4 around 1:20 p.m. the gymnasium in James C. Wright Middle School was dripping with anticipation for President Barack Obama to enter the stage. As men from the Secret Service placed the Presidential seal on the podium, the audience leaned forward, stretching their necks to see behind the curtain that was concealing the man of the hour.

As the silence was gripping, and no one was even breathing, a loud voice came over the speaker announcing, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your Governor, Jim Doyle." The loud sighs of disappointment and laughter at the response were noticeable as Gov. Doyle entered the stage, fully aware of the frustration of more than 600 anxious faces before him.

As the Governor continued, he quickly captured the attention of the students by expressing his pride of Wright Middle School's achievements, the attention of parents and teachers by admitting that Wisconsin has one of the biggest educational gaps in the country and the attention of the President by addressing him directly. "Mr. President, we are very proud of our schools. We have great teachers, we have great principals, and most of all we have great students."

The Principal of Wright Middle School, Nancy Evans, only solidified the governors pride by explaining to the students who were present, "the President has come to where you walk the halls, where you learn day by day. We are very deeply honored to welcome President Barack Obama to Wisconsin."

President Obama is the first president to visit a Madison school since President Truman, and his decision in speaking at Wright Middle School was not a coincidence. Wright, originally established on Madison's West side, moved to its current location on Fish Hatchery Road and now mainly serves Madison's South side families.

One of the most racially diverse schools in the district, Wright encountered numerous challenges in its beginning, however today it has worked hard to be a fierce competitor with its neighboring Madison schools; enough to reach the president's ears in Washington D. C.. "I've heard great things about Wright, so I've got very high expectations for all the students here, and I told them this," said President Obama looking directly at students who had big smiles of excitement, but slight looks of pressure.

Continued...

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