A high school on Virginia Key that was once the site of the former Planet Ocean tourist attraction could soon host the President.
Imagine a presidential motorcade soaring along the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway, a notable passenger peering out to a boundless Biscayne Bay, contemplating what lurks beneath the tropical greenery of the small island before him.
That would be President Barack Obama on his way to give a commencement address at MAST Academy on Virginia Key. That is, IF the magnet high school for marine sciences on Virginia Key is chosen for the honor after an internet voting competition.
To be eligible to win the President’s presence, people need to vote in a “contest” the White House is sponsoring on its website.
Here’s the opening pitch from the students from the White House web site:
MAST's 100% graduation rate is only one measure of student success. Our school's strong core curriculum, which includes a variety of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses, complements the unique electives that truly set MAST apart. In Solar Energy class, we learn about kilowatt-hours, then construct solar ovens and spread environmental awareness by monitoring school energy usage. Cadets in the nation's only Coast Guard JROTC program earn boating licenses on the surface, while underwater, engineering students test their remotely operated vehicles. Culinary classes prepare feasts using produce from our "edible garden," while woodshop students construct everything from dining tables to CO2-powered cars. We express creativity through steel drum band or ceramics class, while required internships provide hands-on experience in fields ranging from marine biology to architecture. As a testament to the dedication that MAST instills, the majority of our diverse student body stays beyond the bell to participate in activities like water polo, ocean conservation, multicultural dance and independent research in our greenhouse and artificial reefs.
MAST's 100% college acceptance rate proves the effectiveness of well-rounded, interactive learning. Here, students, teachers and parents take initiative to build a culture of success that propels us into college and beyond.
To vote, go to whitehouse.gov/commencement and rank each of the six schools in the contest from a high score of 5 to the lowest score of 1. Videos of all five schools are posted. President Obama will choose among the three highest-scoring schools.
How fitting that the Florida school in the running is housed in the former home of a defunct tourist attraction: Planet Ocean, which closed in 1991.
According to the website, www.lostparks.com, Planet Ocean featured state of the art exhibits about the ocean, including a “touchable” iceberg. A film made for the museum was nominated for an Academy Award as best short film.
Resources: http://www.lostparks.com/planetocean.html
www.whitehouse.gov/commencement
Please rate MAST a 5! We only have 2.5 hours of voting left! We need as much help as possible!
ReplyDeleteMAST came close but didn't make the final three high schools that are in the running for the President to be the commencement speaker. However, they will still have a top-ranking administration or cabinet official speak at the commencement. Maybe if it's the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, there will be an opportunity for a tour of the rest of Virginia Key so he can see how it's worthy of inclusion in the national park system.
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