21st Century Students Recognize Presidents’ Day
Students in the Somerset 21st Century Program recognized Presidents’ Day this year by studying and giving presidential speeches to honor our leaders. Presidents’ Day is the first U.S. federal holiday to honor an American citizen, George Washington, and was celebrated on February 20, 2012. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is also recognized on Presidents’ Day. As part of this recognition, the students used the new 21st Century TV Station housed at Somerset High School to video their speech presentations.
First, students learned about the national and global circumstances which required that decisive action be taken by our leadership. The students then watched videos, on the school district Smart Board, of former presidents giving famous speeches. These videos included President Reagan delivering his “Tear Down This Wall” Speech in Berlin, Germany during the Cold War and President Kennedy delivering his “Go to the Moon” speech after the U.S.S.R. successfully launched the Sputnik satellite. Students also studied and recited the Gettysburg Address given by President Lincoln who was born in Kentucky and held the nation together during the American Civil War.
After practicing their presentations, the students were recorded delivering the speeches in the new 21st Century Television station. The station was purchased with 21stCentury funds and includes high quality components such as professional lighting, a green screen and photo editing software. The television station also includes a teleprompter for the student use. This station provides the latest technology for our students and is capable of doing webcasts over the internet. Mr. David Head, SHS teacher, leads the students in this program.