OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY

PROCLAMATION

All children deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams. Our administration is dedicated to helping young New Yorkers excel academically and throughout their lives, and we’re grateful for the community partners who are helping us do just that. Since it was founded, the Entertainers for Education Alliance has done tremendous work empowering our city’s young people to stay in school and pursue a college education. From awarding grants to public school students to help them pay for college, to founding after-school programs, to hosting empowerment seminars and developing public service announcements, E4EA has given so many students the motivation and support to excel in high school and beyond. That’s why our city is so delighted to join the organization in celebrating The First Annual I Will Graduate Day.

Today, students from throughout our city will participate in activities and discussions at their schools aimed at curbing drop out rates and promoting higher education. The day will culminate with the annual Stay In School Pep Rally, which brings together celebrities, community leaders, sport figures, educators, students, and many more for a fun-filled afternoon highlighting the importance of education and community involvement. With an array of resources available to students including college information tables and recruitment stations- a red carpet guest list and terrific musical performances, the rally promises to entertain and inspire everyone in attendance.

 In New York City, we have pursued bold solutions to improve our schools and ensure that our students are making gains in the classroom. Through our children first reforms, we’ve achieved tremendous results: Math and Reading scores are up; we’re finally closing the achievement gaps between students or different races and ethnicities; and graduation rates are at a 20-year high. We know that none of these successes would be possible without the help of innovative initiatives like the I Will Graduate Campaign, and I applaud everyone involved with The Entertainers for Education Alliance for their dedication to improving the lives and futures of our city’s young people.

John F. Kennedy once said: “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.” With the help of The Entertainers for Education Alliance and The I Will Graduate Campaign, I know we will succeed in our efforts to encourage our youth to stay in school and provide them with the support they need to fulfill their potential. And in doing so, we’ll not only help them create better lives for themselves- we’ll also ensure a brighter future for all New Yorkers.

Now therefore, I, Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, In recognition of this important event, Do hereby proclaim Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 in the City of New York as:

 

                                                               “I Will Graduate Day”