Once again Diana Sholley of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin brings us good news about Pomona's Village Academy High School. Last January the Daily Bulletin told us about how Mr. Michael Steinman (pictured above) made a dvd of his class speaking up about how the economy was affecting them. It was a very moving experience to watch these young people speak from the heart.
Mr. Steinman's goal was to send the dvd to President Obama and yesterday his goal was realized. The President gave a speech to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In it he shared with the nation what he had learned through this dvd that he received from Village Academy High School in Pomona. The dvd is titled "Is Anybody Listening?" In it the students told what they were experiencing at home everyday. They told of their parents losing jobs and how worries of their home life were affecting them at school.
The President's response was amazing. It gave me goosebumps. He says:
"I am listening. We are listening. America is listening and we will not rest until your parents can keep their jobs, your families can keep their homes and you can focus on what you should be focusing on - your own education."
There of course is more to the quote that you can read online. The Daily Bulletin online has a link you can click on. I would put the link here myself but I'm at home and don't have Ms. Nissa here to show me how to do it. ;) (I find it amazing I can actually blog but then Ms. Nissa showed me how to do that as well.)
The article also tells us that ABC's 20/20 was at the school on Tuesday and recorded the students reading the President's response. I for one want to see that and it will be aired March 20th on national television at 7:00pm (Pacific Standard Time.)
Does Pomona rock? Yes it does. I feel so honored to be a part of our city and especially to be in the same city as Village Academy High School. In my job at the Pomona Public Library I have the opportuniy to have teens sit down with me and share what is happening in their lives at home and school. Do I love that? Believe me there is no feeling so special to be a part of their growing up and to watch them grow up in front of my eyes. Pomona gets a bad rap on crime and more so than not the view is that Pomona teens are bad news. I am here to tell you that I see a lot of teens that come through the library and the vast majority are polite and looking forward to a bright future. Some may dress a little scary but don't let that put you off. We all need attention, especially teens. Remember that Village Academy titled their dvd "Is Anybody Listening?"
Yes young and old Pomonans alike. Let's listen to our teens.
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