English subtitles for clip: File:The First Lady announces the “Better Make Room” Initiative.webm
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1 00:00:03,069 --> 00:00:04,304 Secretary Duncan: I'm thrilled to be here. 2 00:00:04,304 --> 00:00:05,472 I'm the warm-up act - I'm the warm-up act for 3 00:00:05,472 --> 00:00:06,740 the First Lady. 4 00:00:06,740 --> 00:00:07,874 And we want to get to that, so this will not be that 5 00:00:07,874 --> 00:00:08,975 long of a speech. 6 00:00:08,975 --> 00:00:10,577 But this is a really really important day, 7 00:00:10,577 --> 00:00:12,579 and I want to thank all of our partners. 8 00:00:12,579 --> 00:00:14,581 New Media, Old Media, Media that hasn't been invented 9 00:00:14,581 --> 00:00:16,716 yet that you guys will invent. 10 00:00:16,716 --> 00:00:19,119 This is so important to have you helping us in 11 00:00:19,119 --> 00:00:20,353 this effort. 12 00:00:20,353 --> 00:00:23,890 And pleased to announce today that we've past talked 13 00:00:23,890 --> 00:00:26,326 about high school graduation rates at all-time highs. 14 00:00:26,326 --> 00:00:28,395 I'll make a little news, I'll make in an hour from 15 00:00:28,395 --> 00:00:29,662 now, we'll put out there. 16 00:00:29,662 --> 00:00:33,700 We have now 36 states whose graduation rates went up again. 17 00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:36,403 So we think, while we won't have the final numbers for a 18 00:00:36,403 --> 00:00:38,405 little while longer, the nation's high school 19 00:00:38,405 --> 00:00:40,373 graduation rate will climb again. 20 00:00:40,373 --> 00:00:41,373 And that's so hugely important. 21 00:00:41,374 --> 00:00:47,046 (applause) 22 00:00:47,046 --> 00:00:47,881 That's so hugely important, 23 00:00:47,881 --> 00:00:49,082 because when young people drop out of high school 24 00:00:49,082 --> 00:00:52,051 today, there are basically no good jobs out there. 25 00:00:52,051 --> 00:00:53,353 There are basically condemned to poverty and 26 00:00:53,353 --> 00:00:54,754 social failure. 27 00:00:54,754 --> 00:00:56,756 But I want to be very very clear the goal can't simply 28 00:00:56,756 --> 00:00:58,758 be to graduate from high school. 29 00:00:58,758 --> 00:01:00,760 It's got to be to go on to some form of 30 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:01,760 higher education. 31 00:01:01,761 --> 00:01:03,763 So, four-year universities, two-year community colleges, 32 00:01:03,763 --> 00:01:05,732 trade technical vocational training. 33 00:01:05,732 --> 00:01:07,801 Whatever a young person's interest or passion is, 34 00:01:07,801 --> 00:01:09,803 they have to take the next step on the 35 00:01:09,803 --> 00:01:10,804 education journey. 36 00:01:10,804 --> 00:01:14,174 And we need all of your help to inspire, 37 00:01:14,174 --> 00:01:16,609 to build community, to let people know that we 38 00:01:16,609 --> 00:01:19,512 absolutely support them in taking that next step. 39 00:01:19,512 --> 00:01:22,215 We know the good jobs out there are not just for the 40 00:01:22,215 --> 00:01:24,184 person with a high school diploma. 41 00:01:24,184 --> 00:01:26,186 They have to have some kind of education beyond that. 42 00:01:26,186 --> 00:01:28,655 And if we can help reach young people where they are 43 00:01:28,655 --> 00:01:31,591 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 year-olds. 44 00:01:31,591 --> 00:01:32,592 18 year-olds. 45 00:01:32,592 --> 00:01:34,761 And let them know this is a real possibility, 46 00:01:34,761 --> 00:01:36,762 it opens up a new world of opportunity, 47 00:01:36,763 --> 00:01:38,765 particularly for first-generation 48 00:01:38,765 --> 00:01:40,767 college-goers, kids who weren't born with a silver 49 00:01:40,767 --> 00:01:42,768 spoon in their mouth, folks who might be new to the 50 00:01:42,769 --> 00:01:44,771 country, immigrants, English-language learners, 51 00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:45,772 whatever might be. 52 00:01:45,772 --> 00:01:47,774 And there's so many missed out there. 53 00:01:47,774 --> 00:01:49,776 I hear sometimes - too often from young people that, 54 00:01:49,776 --> 00:01:51,744 "well, college is for rich folks. 55 00:01:51,744 --> 00:01:52,745 It's not for people like me." 56 00:01:52,745 --> 00:01:54,747 They don't realize that every single year our 57 00:01:54,747 --> 00:01:58,284 department puts out 150 billion - with a B -- $150 58 00:01:58,284 --> 00:02:00,820 billion in grants and loans. 59 00:02:00,820 --> 00:02:01,955 Every single year. 60 00:02:01,955 --> 00:02:03,957 And all you have to do is fill out a financial aid 61 00:02:03,957 --> 00:02:05,958 form that takes less than half an hour. 62 00:02:05,959 --> 00:02:08,261 It's the only time in your life you can spend 28-29 63 00:02:08,261 --> 00:02:10,662 minutes and have access to $150 billion. 64 00:02:10,663 --> 00:02:13,666 So I don't care how much money your family has or 65 00:02:13,666 --> 00:02:15,835 doesn't have, or your community. 66 00:02:15,835 --> 00:02:17,837 If you want to work hard and go to college, 67 00:02:17,837 --> 00:02:18,838 you can do it. 68 00:02:18,838 --> 00:02:20,840 I often hear "Oh, maybe there's not a school for 69 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:21,841 someone like me." 70 00:02:21,841 --> 00:02:23,843 There's 7,000 colleges out there. 71 00:02:23,843 --> 00:02:25,845 We have the most diverse set of universities of anywhere 72 00:02:25,845 --> 00:02:26,846 in the world. 73 00:02:26,846 --> 00:02:29,115 So two-year, four-year, big, small, stem-focused, 74 00:02:29,115 --> 00:02:31,117 liberal arts, whatever it might be. 75 00:02:31,117 --> 00:02:33,119 And we can help young people find the right fit for them. 76 00:02:33,119 --> 00:02:36,356 And then finally the goal is not just to go to college, 77 00:02:36,356 --> 00:02:38,825 the goal is to graduate and get that degree. 78 00:02:38,825 --> 00:02:40,827 And that transition, particularly for 79 00:02:40,827 --> 00:02:41,928 first-generation college-goers, 80 00:02:41,928 --> 00:02:43,061 can be difficult. 81 00:02:43,062 --> 00:02:45,064 And making sure we support young people not just in the 82 00:02:45,064 --> 00:02:47,834 application process, but going all the way through. 83 00:02:47,834 --> 00:02:50,503 So this campaign "Better Make Room" I think is a 84 00:02:50,503 --> 00:02:54,072 chance to have a huge impact on young people's mentality, 85 00:02:54,073 --> 00:02:56,075 their understanding of, regardless of where they 86 00:02:56,075 --> 00:02:58,611 come from, this is a real opportunity for them. 87 00:02:58,611 --> 00:03:01,079 We want to partner with you, we want to learn from you, 88 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:03,082 and we want to build a community that helps support 89 00:03:03,082 --> 00:03:06,185 these extraordinary teenagers who are doing 90 00:03:06,185 --> 00:03:07,287 amazing things every day. 91 00:03:07,287 --> 00:03:09,289 And I always say the sad thing for me is if one of 92 00:03:09,289 --> 00:03:11,291 these young people does something crazy that's a 93 00:03:11,291 --> 00:03:13,293 lead story on the nine o'clock news. 94 00:03:13,293 --> 00:03:15,295 But if they work hard, and get good grades, 95 00:03:15,295 --> 00:03:17,297 and contribute to the community, and help others, 96 00:03:17,297 --> 00:03:18,298 no one tells that story. 97 00:03:18,298 --> 00:03:20,300 Well, we got to help them tell it, 98 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:22,302 we got to tell it with them, we got to share that story, 99 00:03:22,302 --> 00:03:24,304 and help inspire the hundreds of thousands of 100 00:03:24,304 --> 00:03:26,306 young people every single day who are beating the 101 00:03:26,306 --> 00:03:28,274 odds, who are doing the right thing. 102 00:03:28,274 --> 00:03:30,276 Help to give them their own voice. 103 00:03:30,276 --> 00:03:32,278 Help to empower them, and help to inspire others by 104 00:03:32,278 --> 00:03:33,412 learning from their example. 105 00:03:33,413 --> 00:03:35,415 The final thing I'll say, and you'll hear in a few 106 00:03:35,415 --> 00:03:36,950 moments from the First Lady. 107 00:03:36,950 --> 00:03:38,952 This is just really really personal for her. 108 00:03:38,952 --> 00:03:40,119 And she'll tell her story. 109 00:03:40,119 --> 00:03:42,789 But she came from a very very strong family, 110 00:03:42,789 --> 00:03:45,691 but neither one of her parents ever went to college. 111 00:03:45,692 --> 00:03:47,694 She and her brother were first-generation 112 00:03:47,694 --> 00:03:50,162 college-goers, and she's had this amazing life and 113 00:03:50,163 --> 00:03:52,966 amazing opportunity because she believed in herself, 114 00:03:52,966 --> 00:03:54,934 and had other to believe in her. 115 00:03:54,934 --> 00:03:57,236 We need a lot more young people who can follow in 116 00:03:57,236 --> 00:03:58,237 those footsteps. 117 00:03:58,237 --> 00:04:00,773 So, thrilled that high school graduation rates are up. 118 00:04:00,773 --> 00:04:03,942 Thrilled that from 2008 we have a million additional 119 00:04:03,943 --> 00:04:05,979 students of color going to college. 120 00:04:05,979 --> 00:04:08,081 But we have to lead the world in college graduation 121 00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:09,082 rates again. 122 00:04:09,082 --> 00:04:11,784 We did one generation ago, today we're 12th. 123 00:04:11,784 --> 00:04:13,418 That's not good enough. 124 00:04:13,419 --> 00:04:14,420 That has to change. 125 00:04:14,420 --> 00:04:16,856 And I think all of you can help to inspire movement 126 00:04:16,856 --> 00:04:18,858 that will lead the country where we need to go. 127 00:04:18,858 --> 00:04:19,858 So thank you so much. 128 00:04:19,858 --> 00:04:21,861 Please challenge us to be a good partner. 129 00:04:21,861 --> 00:04:22,662 And thanks for the difference I know you're 130 00:04:22,662 --> 00:04:24,229 going to make in the lives of so many young people. 131 00:04:24,230 --> 00:04:28,234 Thank you. 132 00:04:40,980 --> 00:04:42,215 Male Speaker: Thank you, Secretary Duncan. 133 00:04:42,215 --> 00:04:44,250 You have been such an incredible advocate for our 134 00:04:44,250 --> 00:04:45,718 nation's young people. 135 00:04:45,718 --> 00:04:48,021 And we are so grateful for your service. 136 00:04:48,021 --> 00:04:50,023 "Better Make Room" is about inspiring young people, 137 00:04:50,023 --> 00:04:53,393 and we are so thrilled that Andra Day is here to offer 138 00:04:53,393 --> 00:04:56,828 her incredible voice and song "Rise Up" to this movement. 139 00:04:56,829 --> 00:05:00,266 Ladies and gentlemen, Andra Day. 140 00:06:10,803 --> 00:06:14,474 Andra Day: Hello, hello. (inaudible) 141 00:06:19,078 --> 00:06:21,114 (music) 142 00:06:21,114 --> 00:06:24,683 ♪♪You're broken down and tired♪♪ 143 00:06:24,684 --> 00:06:29,222 ♪♪Of living life on a merry-go-round♪♪ 144 00:06:29,222 --> 00:06:33,525 ♪♪And you can't find the fighter♪♪ 145 00:06:33,526 --> 00:06:38,030 ♪♪But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out♪♪ 146 00:06:38,030 --> 00:06:44,537 ♪♪And move mountains♪♪ 147 00:06:44,537 --> 00:06:46,606 ♪♪We gonna walk it out♪♪ 148 00:06:46,606 --> 00:06:53,412 ♪♪And move mountains♪♪ 149 00:06:53,412 --> 00:06:55,748 ♪♪And I'll rise up♪♪ 150 00:06:55,748 --> 00:06:57,849 ♪♪I'll rise like the day♪♪ 151 00:06:57,850 --> 00:06:59,952 ♪♪I'll rise up♪♪ 152 00:06:59,952 --> 00:07:02,221 ♪♪I'll rise unafraid♪♪ 153 00:07:02,221 --> 00:07:04,590 ♪♪I'll rise up♪♪ 154 00:07:04,590 --> 00:07:10,897 ♪♪And I'll do it a thousand times again♪♪ 155 00:07:10,897 --> 00:07:29,248 ♪♪For you♪♪ 156 00:07:29,248 --> 00:07:33,553 ♪♪When the silence isn't quiet♪♪ 157 00:07:33,553 --> 00:07:38,024 ♪♪And it feels like it's getting hard to breathe♪♪ 158 00:07:38,024 --> 00:07:41,994 ♪♪And I know you feel like dying♪♪ 159 00:07:41,994 --> 00:07:46,933 ♪♪But I promise we'll take the world to it's feet♪♪ 160 00:07:46,933 --> 00:07:53,806 ♪♪And move mountains ♪♪ 161 00:07:53,806 --> 00:07:55,541 ♪♪Bring it to it's feet♪♪ 162 00:07:55,541 --> 00:08:03,015 ♪♪And move mountains♪♪ 163 00:08:03,015 --> 00:08:05,318 ♪♪And I'll rise up♪♪ 164 00:08:05,318 --> 00:08:07,419 ♪♪I'll rise like the day♪♪ 165 00:08:07,420 --> 00:08:09,622 ♪♪I'll rise up♪♪ 166 00:08:09,622 --> 00:08:11,858 ♪♪I'll rise unafraid♪♪ 167 00:08:11,858 --> 00:08:14,360 ♪♪I'll rise up♪♪ 168 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:20,299 ♪♪And I'll do it a thousand times again♪♪ 169 00:08:20,299 --> 00:08:38,650 ♪♪For you♪♪ 170 00:08:38,650 --> 00:08:40,919 ♪♪All we need♪♪ 171 00:08:40,919 --> 00:08:45,290 ♪♪All we need is hope♪♪ 172 00:08:45,291 --> 00:08:56,102 ♪♪And for doubt we have each other♪♪ 173 00:08:56,102 --> 00:08:59,839 ♪♪We will rise♪♪ 174 00:08:59,839 --> 00:09:11,984 ♪♪We'll rise♪♪ 175 00:09:11,984 --> 00:09:14,453 ♪♪I'll rise up♪♪ 176 00:09:14,453 --> 00:09:16,488 ♪♪I'll rise like the day♪♪ 177 00:09:16,489 --> 00:09:18,124 ♪♪I'll rise up♪♪ 178 00:09:18,124 --> 00:09:21,260 ♪♪In spite of the ache♪♪ 179 00:09:21,260 --> 00:09:28,534 ♪♪I will rise a thousand times again♪♪ 180 00:09:28,534 --> 00:09:30,937 ♪♪And we'll rise up♪♪ 181 00:09:30,937 --> 00:09:32,939 ♪♪High like the waves♪♪ 182 00:09:32,939 --> 00:09:35,141 ♪♪We'll rise up♪♪ 183 00:09:35,141 --> 00:09:37,175 ♪♪In spite of the ache♪♪ 184 00:09:37,176 --> 00:09:39,512 ♪♪We'll rise up♪♪ 185 00:09:39,512 --> 00:09:45,651 ♪♪And we'll do it a thousand times again♪♪ 186 00:09:45,651 --> 00:10:03,234 ♪♪For you♪♪ 187 00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:18,284 ♪♪We will rise♪♪ 188 00:10:18,284 --> 00:10:22,288 ♪♪Spread a little hope and love, now♪♪ 189 00:10:26,625 --> 00:10:30,963 ♪♪Encourage them to rise up now♪♪ 190 00:10:34,934 --> 00:10:37,770 ♪♪Spread a little love to the White House now♪♪ 191 00:10:43,242 --> 00:10:47,246 ♪♪Spread a little hope and love, now ♪♪ 192 00:10:56,789 --> 00:11:02,261 (applause) 193 00:11:02,261 --> 00:11:08,067 Thank you. 194 00:11:08,067 --> 00:11:09,568 Chris Malberger: How's it going, guys? 195 00:11:09,568 --> 00:11:11,470 My name is Chris Malberger. 196 00:11:11,470 --> 00:11:14,940 I'm a Viner, entrepreneur, and a neat dude. 197 00:11:14,940 --> 00:11:17,510 I feel - Oh, sorry. 198 00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:19,211 I only operate six seconds at a time. 199 00:11:19,211 --> 00:11:21,614 (laughter) 200 00:11:21,614 --> 00:11:24,116 That's a vine joke. 201 00:11:24,116 --> 00:11:25,617 I am here today to share my story, 202 00:11:25,618 --> 00:11:28,687 because like many people today, it's untraditional. 203 00:11:28,687 --> 00:11:30,556 After high school, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to 204 00:11:30,556 --> 00:11:33,192 do, or where I wanted my career to take me. 205 00:11:33,192 --> 00:11:35,327 So I enrolled in community college. 206 00:11:35,327 --> 00:11:37,329 Those two years taught me responsibility, 207 00:11:37,329 --> 00:11:40,866 accountability, and free time should be productive time. 208 00:11:40,866 --> 00:11:42,867 After community college, I transferred to a Digital 209 00:11:42,868 --> 00:11:45,538 Media and Graphic Design program at Marist College in 210 00:11:45,538 --> 00:11:47,173 Poughkeepsie, New York. 211 00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:49,642 I dove into classes on Multimedia, Design, 212 00:11:49,642 --> 00:11:53,546 3D Sculpting, and had internships with crazy hours 213 00:11:53,546 --> 00:11:56,215 and many many late nights. 214 00:11:56,215 --> 00:11:58,584 But it all helped prepare me for future gigs. 215 00:11:58,584 --> 00:12:00,585 The skills and experience I learned from my professors 216 00:12:00,586 --> 00:12:02,588 at Marist showed me that I could take my passion and 217 00:12:02,588 --> 00:12:05,424 creativity, and make it into a career. 218 00:12:05,424 --> 00:12:07,425 Even my senior thesis was a collective of my best friend 219 00:12:07,426 --> 00:12:10,930 and I's work under the name and branding "Neat Dude." 220 00:12:10,930 --> 00:12:12,931 To this day, we are still using this name, 221 00:12:12,932 --> 00:12:14,934 which has evolved and grown into something much bigger 222 00:12:14,934 --> 00:12:17,136 than we ever anticipated. 223 00:12:17,136 --> 00:12:19,137 This was around the time I first downloaded Vine in my 224 00:12:19,138 --> 00:12:21,140 apartment around 2 am one random night. 225 00:12:21,140 --> 00:12:23,141 I was so impressed with the touch to record 226 00:12:23,142 --> 00:12:26,645 functionality I couldn't put my phone down. 227 00:12:26,645 --> 00:12:28,646 Almost two and a half years later, 228 00:12:28,647 --> 00:12:30,649 I still haven't put my phone down. 229 00:12:30,649 --> 00:12:33,352 Vine and Social Media have given me a creative outlet 230 00:12:33,352 --> 00:12:35,353 to reach hundreds of thousands of people and 231 00:12:35,354 --> 00:12:37,723 allow my voice and vision to be seen and heard. 232 00:12:37,723 --> 00:12:39,992 It's given me a job at a start-up app in Soho, 233 00:12:39,992 --> 00:12:41,993 it's helped my company "Neat Dude" expand and evolve, 234 00:12:41,994 --> 00:12:43,996 and it has now come full circle. 235 00:12:43,996 --> 00:12:45,997 Because last week I started working at Vine's new office 236 00:12:45,998 --> 00:12:47,666 at Twitter headquarters. 237 00:12:47,666 --> 00:12:49,568 (applause) 238 00:12:49,568 --> 00:12:53,973 Thank you. 239 00:12:53,973 --> 00:12:56,141 So my advice to anyone in high school today is to not 240 00:12:56,142 --> 00:12:57,810 lose track of your passion. 241 00:12:57,810 --> 00:13:00,045 Social media can be a blessing, but also a curse. 242 00:13:00,045 --> 00:13:02,046 Understanding time management and designating 243 00:13:02,047 --> 00:13:04,550 hours in the day where you can't access your phone, 244 00:13:04,550 --> 00:13:06,551 so you won't be distracted from getting your dreams 245 00:13:06,552 --> 00:13:08,754 started is very important. 246 00:13:08,754 --> 00:13:10,756 And with that, it is my absolute pleasure to 247 00:13:10,756 --> 00:13:13,291 introduce the First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama. 248 00:13:13,292 --> 00:13:17,296 (applause) 249 00:13:27,706 --> 00:13:29,175 Mrs. Obama: Thanks, guys. 250 00:13:29,175 --> 00:13:30,543 (applause) 251 00:13:30,543 --> 00:13:31,410 Thank you all. 252 00:13:31,410 --> 00:13:32,745 (applause) 253 00:13:32,745 --> 00:13:33,846 Good morning. 254 00:13:33,846 --> 00:13:35,814 Rest yourselves. 255 00:13:35,814 --> 00:13:37,916 Welcome to the White House! 256 00:13:37,917 --> 00:13:40,319 (applause) 257 00:13:40,319 --> 00:13:41,719 It's okay to be excited about that. 258 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,589 Welcome to the White House! 259 00:13:43,589 --> 00:13:47,459 (laughter and applause) 260 00:13:47,459 --> 00:13:49,828 Don't act like you all are proper people, all right? 261 00:13:49,828 --> 00:13:51,463 (laughter) 262 00:13:51,463 --> 00:13:53,732 Just loosen up a little bit. 263 00:13:53,732 --> 00:13:57,102 Look, I am thrilled to be here today as we launch 264 00:13:57,102 --> 00:13:58,571 Better Make Room. 265 00:13:58,571 --> 00:14:02,107 This is an amazing new campaign to empower young 266 00:14:02,107 --> 00:14:05,444 people to own their education and fulfill 267 00:14:05,444 --> 00:14:06,444 their dreams. 268 00:14:06,445 --> 00:14:09,481 And I want to start by thanking Chris for sharing 269 00:14:09,481 --> 00:14:12,985 his story, offering some good advice -- which I hope 270 00:14:12,985 --> 00:14:16,322 my kids are listening to -- and for giving us more than 271 00:14:16,322 --> 00:14:17,823 six seconds of your time today. 272 00:14:17,823 --> 00:14:18,824 (laughter) 273 00:14:18,824 --> 00:14:19,824 We really appreciate it, Chris. 274 00:14:19,825 --> 00:14:23,062 Who would have thought that you had so much to say? 275 00:14:23,062 --> 00:14:26,966 (laughter) 276 00:14:26,966 --> 00:14:28,500 Chris, we're really impressed by 277 00:14:28,500 --> 00:14:29,802 everything that you've achieved, so thank you. 278 00:14:29,802 --> 00:14:32,004 Thanks for being here. 279 00:14:32,004 --> 00:14:34,540 And thank you also to Andra Day for her 280 00:14:34,540 --> 00:14:35,974 magnificent performance. 281 00:14:35,975 --> 00:14:36,976 (applause) 282 00:14:36,976 --> 00:14:40,379 Yes, Andra and her entire crew. 283 00:14:40,379 --> 00:14:41,580 Yes! 284 00:14:41,580 --> 00:14:46,518 (applause) 285 00:14:46,518 --> 00:14:48,454 Andra, you impressed everybody. 286 00:14:48,454 --> 00:14:52,524 My staff is buzzing off the chain about whatever you 287 00:14:52,524 --> 00:14:54,126 have just done. 288 00:14:54,126 --> 00:14:55,261 (laughter) 289 00:14:55,261 --> 00:14:56,694 So I don't think this will be the last time 290 00:14:56,695 --> 00:14:58,664 we'll see you here at the White House -- if you'll 291 00:14:58,664 --> 00:14:59,898 have us. 292 00:14:59,898 --> 00:15:07,106 (laughter and applause) 293 00:15:07,106 --> 00:15:11,510 I also want to recognize someone who has been a passionate leader 294 00:15:11,510 --> 00:15:16,649 and visionary on behalf of kids, our Secretary of Education 295 00:15:16,649 --> 00:15:17,983 and dear friend, Arne Duncan. 296 00:15:17,983 --> 00:15:20,286 Arne -- is Arne here or did he go? 297 00:15:20,286 --> 00:15:21,453 Male Speaker: He had to leave. 298 00:15:21,453 --> 00:15:21,987 Mrs. Obama: He had to leave. 299 00:15:21,987 --> 00:15:22,988 (laughter) 300 00:15:22,988 --> 00:15:23,989 But, Arne, we love you. 301 00:15:23,989 --> 00:15:27,893 We're going to miss you. 302 00:15:27,893 --> 00:15:31,997 And thank you for working so hard on behalf of all of us. 303 00:15:31,997 --> 00:15:37,303 (applause) 304 00:15:37,303 --> 00:15:39,038 And of course, most of all, 305 00:15:39,038 --> 00:15:40,873 I want to thank all of you. 306 00:15:40,873 --> 00:15:43,309 You all are the very first members of our 307 00:15:43,309 --> 00:15:45,810 Better Make Room campaign team. 308 00:15:45,811 --> 00:15:47,713 You're on our team! 309 00:15:47,713 --> 00:15:51,617 (applause) 310 00:15:51,617 --> 00:15:54,687 Whether you're a Viner, a YouTuber, 311 00:15:54,687 --> 00:15:58,157 an educator, or a business or foundation leader, 312 00:15:58,157 --> 00:16:01,593 you all will be the ones driving this campaign 313 00:16:01,593 --> 00:16:03,962 forward long after the President and I have left 314 00:16:03,962 --> 00:16:04,963 the White House. 315 00:16:04,963 --> 00:16:08,467 And we are so incredibly grateful for your passion 316 00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:11,103 and your commitment to this cause. 317 00:16:11,103 --> 00:16:15,674 Now, the idea behind Better Make Room is pretty simple. 318 00:16:15,674 --> 00:16:18,544 We want to create a space where young people can 319 00:16:18,544 --> 00:16:22,614 engage with each other; where they can inspire each 320 00:16:22,614 --> 00:16:26,719 other to complete their education beyond high school. 321 00:16:26,719 --> 00:16:28,721 We want to make room for their stories, 322 00:16:28,721 --> 00:16:32,558 for their dreams, their achievements. 323 00:16:32,558 --> 00:16:34,927 Because the truth is that right now, 324 00:16:34,927 --> 00:16:39,431 that space really doesn't exist in our popular culture. 325 00:16:39,431 --> 00:16:42,568 Instead, these days so much of our national conversation 326 00:16:42,568 --> 00:16:46,905 is focused on celebrities and their stories -- their 327 00:16:46,905 --> 00:16:50,074 breakups and hairstyles; the tweets they send; 328 00:16:50,075 --> 00:16:52,311 the points they score. 329 00:16:52,311 --> 00:16:55,848 So there's no room for the story of that young woman 330 00:16:55,848 --> 00:16:58,916 whose parents don't speak a word of English but who's 331 00:16:58,917 --> 00:17:01,053 determined to be a first-generation 332 00:17:01,053 --> 00:17:02,554 college graduate. 333 00:17:02,554 --> 00:17:05,324 There's no room for the story of that young man 334 00:17:05,324 --> 00:17:09,428 who's been told that he's not college material, 335 00:17:09,428 --> 00:17:12,598 but he decides to ignore the doubters and just work a 336 00:17:12,598 --> 00:17:13,598 little harder. 337 00:17:13,598 --> 00:17:17,668 There's no room for those kids who don't fit in at 338 00:17:17,669 --> 00:17:20,973 their school, but who know that things will get better 339 00:17:20,973 --> 00:17:24,943 if they just hang on and get to college. 340 00:17:24,943 --> 00:17:27,512 And that's what Better Make Room is about. 341 00:17:27,512 --> 00:17:32,583 It's about valuing success in the classroom instead of 342 00:17:32,584 --> 00:17:36,054 just on the big screen or on the basketball court. 343 00:17:36,054 --> 00:17:39,892 And it's about turning the culture of celebrity upside 344 00:17:39,892 --> 00:17:43,529 down so that we don't just have kids worshipping 345 00:17:43,529 --> 00:17:47,900 celebrities, but we also have celebrities honoring 346 00:17:47,900 --> 00:17:52,237 kids who are working hard and achieving their goals. 347 00:17:52,237 --> 00:18:02,181 (applause) 348 00:18:02,181 --> 00:18:05,217 That's where we're going to shine the 349 00:18:05,217 --> 00:18:06,618 spotlight -- on those kids and their stories. 350 00:18:06,618 --> 00:18:09,788 So the question is, how are we going to do this? 351 00:18:09,788 --> 00:18:12,958 Because the truth is, Generation Z -- that's what 352 00:18:12,958 --> 00:18:15,594 they're called; these are the kids who are right now 353 00:18:15,594 --> 00:18:18,530 in high school and middle school -- they interact with 354 00:18:18,530 --> 00:18:21,066 the world in fundamentally different ways than 355 00:18:21,066 --> 00:18:22,267 generations before them. 356 00:18:22,267 --> 00:18:25,838 And I'm someone who lives with two Generation Z-ers, 357 00:18:25,838 --> 00:18:28,407 and I'm experiencing this firsthand, 358 00:18:28,407 --> 00:18:30,842 as I'm sure many of you are, too. 359 00:18:30,843 --> 00:18:32,644 Hands raised. 360 00:18:32,644 --> 00:18:33,645 (laughter) 361 00:18:33,645 --> 00:18:35,647 For example, you may have noticed that 362 00:18:35,647 --> 00:18:38,750 instead of watching TV, your kids are on YouTube. 363 00:18:38,750 --> 00:18:40,752 And they don't just want to watch a screen, 364 00:18:40,752 --> 00:18:42,754 they want to swipe it, and poke it, 365 00:18:42,754 --> 00:18:45,389 create their own content on it. 366 00:18:45,390 --> 00:18:47,693 And don't waste your time trying to connect with your 367 00:18:47,693 --> 00:18:49,995 kids via email. 368 00:18:49,995 --> 00:18:50,795 (laughter) 369 00:18:50,796 --> 00:18:53,031 That antiquated method is as useless as 370 00:18:53,031 --> 00:18:54,332 Morse code. 371 00:18:54,333 --> 00:18:56,101 (laughter) 372 00:18:56,101 --> 00:18:57,970 Instead, they're into texting, 373 00:18:57,970 --> 00:18:59,872 and Snapchat and Vine -- all that stuff. 374 00:18:59,872 --> 00:19:04,176 And don't make the mistake of responding to a text 375 00:19:04,176 --> 00:19:06,812 using full sentences with proper grammar 376 00:19:06,812 --> 00:19:07,612 and punctuation. 377 00:19:07,613 --> 00:19:08,680 (laughter) 378 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,482 Look, whenever I do that my kids always think 379 00:19:10,482 --> 00:19:11,750 I'm mad at them. 380 00:19:11,750 --> 00:19:13,085 (laughter) 381 00:19:13,085 --> 00:19:14,086 It's like, what did I do mom? 382 00:19:14,086 --> 00:19:15,954 Why are you using sentences? 383 00:19:15,954 --> 00:19:17,589 (laughter) 384 00:19:17,589 --> 00:19:20,325 They prefer very -- and I mean very -- short 385 00:19:20,325 --> 00:19:25,264 responses; one word -- better yet, a few letters. 386 00:19:25,264 --> 00:19:27,265 And if you really want to get their attention, 387 00:19:27,266 --> 00:19:28,867 use symbols, little symbols. 388 00:19:28,867 --> 00:19:30,002 (laughter) 389 00:19:30,002 --> 00:19:33,171 There's the smiley face, the angry face, 390 00:19:33,171 --> 00:19:36,375 and all the other faces that can show any emotion that 391 00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:37,376 you may be feeling. 392 00:19:37,376 --> 00:19:41,013 So it's no wonder why Generation Z-ers have short 393 00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:42,614 attention spans. 394 00:19:42,614 --> 00:19:46,084 They usually stop listening to us after about 6 seconds. 395 00:19:46,084 --> 00:19:46,885 (laughter) 396 00:19:46,885 --> 00:19:49,621 Their eyes just glaze over as we blather on 397 00:19:49,621 --> 00:19:50,656 and on. 398 00:19:50,656 --> 00:19:52,658 We think we're getting into them, 399 00:19:52,658 --> 00:19:55,860 but they've shut us off minutes ago. 400 00:19:55,861 --> 00:19:58,664 But this generation is a fascinating bunch. 401 00:19:58,664 --> 00:20:01,833 They are more independent, yet more connected to each 402 00:20:01,833 --> 00:20:03,569 other than ever before. 403 00:20:03,569 --> 00:20:05,870 They are constantly texting with each other, 404 00:20:05,871 --> 00:20:09,474 sharing photos, engaging with each other on issues 405 00:20:09,474 --> 00:20:10,542 large and small. 406 00:20:10,542 --> 00:20:13,544 And many are using technology to organize 407 00:20:13,545 --> 00:20:15,814 around causes they care about, 408 00:20:15,814 --> 00:20:17,816 whether that's saving the environment or 409 00:20:17,816 --> 00:20:19,217 stopping gun violence. 410 00:20:19,217 --> 00:20:22,654 So Generation Z is really a do-it-yourself 411 00:20:22,654 --> 00:20:24,456 kind of generation. 412 00:20:24,456 --> 00:20:27,125 These kids are working hard, and they are 413 00:20:27,125 --> 00:20:30,762 entrepreneurial, and they want content that's 414 00:20:30,762 --> 00:20:35,500 authentic and raw -- nothing polished, nothing packaged. 415 00:20:35,500 --> 00:20:38,604 So for those young people, traditional campaigns don't 416 00:20:38,604 --> 00:20:39,972 always work. 417 00:20:39,972 --> 00:20:42,741 We can't just tape a public service announcement telling 418 00:20:42,741 --> 00:20:45,177 them that school is cool. 419 00:20:45,177 --> 00:20:48,045 If we truly want to engage this generation in a 420 00:20:48,046 --> 00:20:50,649 conversation about higher education, 421 00:20:50,649 --> 00:20:54,018 we need to give them a space where they can drive that 422 00:20:54,019 --> 00:20:56,188 conversation themselves. 423 00:20:56,188 --> 00:20:58,323 And that's exactly what we're doing through 424 00:20:58,323 --> 00:20:59,992 Better Make Room. 425 00:20:59,992 --> 00:21:02,594 Through this new campaign, young people can go to 426 00:21:02,594 --> 00:21:05,063 BetterMakeRoom.org, or they can go to Vine, 427 00:21:05,063 --> 00:21:08,166 Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #BetterMakeRoom 428 00:21:08,166 --> 00:21:09,967 -- I'm getting used to that hashtag. 429 00:21:09,968 --> 00:21:10,969 (laughter) 430 00:21:10,969 --> 00:21:12,671 Just throw that in there and impress my kids. 431 00:21:12,671 --> 00:21:14,573 (laughter) 432 00:21:14,573 --> 00:21:17,075 And they can share their goals for 433 00:21:17,075 --> 00:21:19,978 college and for life with kids all across 434 00:21:19,978 --> 00:21:20,979 this country. 435 00:21:20,979 --> 00:21:23,915 This is exactly what this technology was meant to do, 436 00:21:23,915 --> 00:21:28,120 the good stuff -- to use it to share and inspire. 437 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:32,123 Then we're going to lift up their stories and give these 438 00:21:32,124 --> 00:21:35,927 young people the attention they have long deserved. 439 00:21:35,927 --> 00:21:39,630 So they might see their words on a billboard or on a 440 00:21:39,631 --> 00:21:40,632 subway ad. 441 00:21:40,632 --> 00:21:43,702 They might even receive an invitation to an event here 442 00:21:43,702 --> 00:21:44,903 at the White House. 443 00:21:44,903 --> 00:21:48,707 Or they might see their story in an Instagram or 444 00:21:48,707 --> 00:21:51,476 tweet from a celebrity they admire. 445 00:21:51,476 --> 00:21:53,578 In fact, on Wednesday, I'm going to be joining 446 00:21:53,578 --> 00:21:57,149 LeBron James for a Better Make Room event with 447 00:21:57,149 --> 00:21:59,950 1,000 kids in Akron, Ohio. 448 00:21:59,951 --> 00:22:03,088 And I wouldn't be surprised if some young people saw 449 00:22:03,088 --> 00:22:06,658 their stories in LeBron's Twitter or Instagram feed 450 00:22:06,658 --> 00:22:07,658 sometime soon. 451 00:22:07,659 --> 00:22:13,131 And then once young people have shared their stories 452 00:22:13,131 --> 00:22:16,334 and declared their education and career ambitions, 453 00:22:16,334 --> 00:22:18,870 then we're going to give them the tools they need to 454 00:22:18,870 --> 00:22:21,072 achieve those ambitions. 455 00:22:21,073 --> 00:22:23,075 Because more than anything else, 456 00:22:23,075 --> 00:22:26,678 the goal of Better Make Room is to get young people to, 457 00:22:26,678 --> 00:22:29,514 and through, higher education -- whether that's 458 00:22:29,514 --> 00:22:31,649 a community college, a four-year college, 459 00:22:31,650 --> 00:22:33,985 or a professional training program. 460 00:22:33,985 --> 00:22:35,754 So through Better Make Room, we're going to be sending 461 00:22:35,754 --> 00:22:38,689 young people reminders and guidance about all kinds of 462 00:22:38,690 --> 00:22:42,027 stuff -- studying for the SATs and ACTs, 463 00:22:42,027 --> 00:22:44,296 filling out college applications and FAFSA 464 00:22:44,296 --> 00:22:47,199 forms, visiting college campuses. 465 00:22:47,199 --> 00:22:50,102 We're going to be walking them through every step in 466 00:22:50,102 --> 00:22:51,770 this process. 467 00:22:51,770 --> 00:22:55,440 So that's how this campaign is going to work. 468 00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:58,777 And I'm sure it is now obvious that 469 00:22:58,777 --> 00:23:02,214 Better Make Room will not be a traditional kind of campaign; 470 00:23:02,214 --> 00:23:04,850 it will truly be unlike anything the White House 471 00:23:04,850 --> 00:23:06,584 has ever done before. 472 00:23:06,585 --> 00:23:07,853 In fact, earlier this morning, 473 00:23:07,853 --> 00:23:10,555 we let some young people make a huge chalk drawing of 474 00:23:10,555 --> 00:23:13,458 the Better Make Room logo on the South Grounds right in 475 00:23:13,458 --> 00:23:16,995 front of the Dip Room, under the Truman Balcony. 476 00:23:16,995 --> 00:23:17,963 Yeah. 477 00:23:17,963 --> 00:23:20,932 (laughter) 478 00:23:20,932 --> 00:23:23,268 I wonder what our curators are saying about that. 479 00:23:23,268 --> 00:23:25,170 (laughter) 480 00:23:25,170 --> 00:23:28,073 That would be a first here at the White House. 481 00:23:28,073 --> 00:23:32,210 And the truth is, I probably won't understand everything 482 00:23:32,210 --> 00:23:35,380 that we're doing with this campaign -- and neither will 483 00:23:35,380 --> 00:23:36,414 many of you. 484 00:23:36,414 --> 00:23:38,049 But that's okay. 485 00:23:38,049 --> 00:23:39,384 We're old. 486 00:23:39,384 --> 00:23:41,353 (laughter) 487 00:23:41,353 --> 00:23:42,854 This campaign isn't for us, 488 00:23:42,854 --> 00:23:45,857 and it is not about us. 489 00:23:45,857 --> 00:23:48,693 It is for, and about, our next generation. 490 00:23:48,693 --> 00:23:52,764 And every single one of you here today is critical to 491 00:23:52,764 --> 00:23:54,232 its success. 492 00:23:54,232 --> 00:23:56,835 Whether you're a Viner, a YouTube Star, 493 00:23:56,835 --> 00:24:00,772 a business leader or a celebrity, 494 00:24:00,772 --> 00:24:03,408 you're here today because you know how to reach our 495 00:24:03,408 --> 00:24:04,909 young people. 496 00:24:04,910 --> 00:24:09,047 The Viners in this room alone reach 41 million people. 497 00:24:09,047 --> 00:24:12,284 Let's just stop right there -- 41 million people. 498 00:24:12,284 --> 00:24:16,388 (applause) 499 00:24:16,388 --> 00:24:18,689 That's crazy! 500 00:24:18,690 --> 00:24:21,693 And the rest of you reach millions more. 501 00:24:21,693 --> 00:24:26,064 Your brands, your messages, your voices just resonate 502 00:24:26,064 --> 00:24:28,867 with this generation, and we need all of you to help our 503 00:24:28,867 --> 00:24:32,637 young people own their education so that they can 504 00:24:32,637 --> 00:24:36,508 fulfill every last one of their dreams, 505 00:24:36,508 --> 00:24:38,777 like Chris talked about. 506 00:24:38,777 --> 00:24:41,680 This is a critically important mission. 507 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:44,783 And the stakes couldn't be higher. 508 00:24:44,783 --> 00:24:47,017 Because we all know that if we want to keep moving this 509 00:24:47,018 --> 00:24:50,488 country forward, if we want to keep growing our economy 510 00:24:50,488 --> 00:24:54,426 and widening that circle of opportunity, 511 00:24:54,426 --> 00:24:57,294 then we need to ensure that our kids have every chance 512 00:24:57,295 --> 00:24:59,698 to be who and what they are meant to be. 513 00:24:59,698 --> 00:25:04,202 And the only way to do that is through education. 514 00:25:04,202 --> 00:25:06,137 We know that. 515 00:25:06,137 --> 00:25:10,908 That is the absolute best path forward for our kids. 516 00:25:10,909 --> 00:25:15,280 So I want to end today by once again thanking all of 517 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:19,384 you for your commitment and your passion for 518 00:25:19,384 --> 00:25:21,286 this effort. 519 00:25:21,286 --> 00:25:24,556 I am excited to see everything that we're going 520 00:25:24,556 --> 00:25:27,425 to create together through Better Make Room -- even if 521 00:25:27,425 --> 00:25:29,761 I have to ask my daughters to explain it to me. 522 00:25:32,063 --> 00:25:34,065 This is going to be really cool. 523 00:25:34,065 --> 00:25:35,033 It's going to be fun. 524 00:25:35,033 --> 00:25:38,370 And hopefully we change the paradigm about how our kids 525 00:25:38,370 --> 00:25:40,738 think and use this technology, 526 00:25:40,739 --> 00:25:44,009 and how they engage with each other and get prepared 527 00:25:44,009 --> 00:25:47,112 for the life that we know is facing them. 528 00:25:47,112 --> 00:25:49,114 I look forward to working with all of you in the years 529 00:25:49,114 --> 00:25:51,416 ahead to inspire our young people to reach higher for 530 00:25:51,416 --> 00:25:53,652 themselves and for our country. 531 00:25:53,652 --> 00:25:54,653 You guys are great. 532 00:25:54,653 --> 00:25:56,521 Thank you so much. 533 00:25:56,521 --> 00:25:58,523 Let's get started. 534 00:25:58,523 --> 00:25:59,624 (applause)