Excerpt from speech "What Public Education Means To Me!" by Kayla Bazemoor

As a high school student, public education means to me a number of things:

1. Tuition - free education until college
2. A promise of equal educational opportunities no matter my race, my religion or my ability to learn.
3. A commitment of high standards and high expectations for all.
4. It teaches democratic principles and common values.
5. It is also a system that ensure public accountability.

As for me a tenth grader, in the public school system in Cumberland county, public education affords me many opportunities to choose different career choices. There are many classes and experiences that can better my knowledge of that career and prepare me for college as well as life.

Public education, today is a product or reforms and revision a system to met my needs. It is the cornerstone of our democracy. It gives me the opportunity to participate in a year round school, summer school and all sorts of extracurricular activities. Sports such as basketball or volleyball, different clubs and organizations such as the Spanish Club or the Beta Club. I can choose to participate in school plays or pageants, or participate in a leadership role like Class President or Student Body President. I have access to books, computers and all sorts of new technology. I have access to counselors, teachers, coaches and other mentors who will direct me in the right direction to pursue my future career. It's an opportunity most countries do not have. It is an honor and a privilege to have public education.

What can you do to keep public education?

1. Learn what you can do to make a difference in a child's life.
2. Vole for issues to keep public education equal for everyone.
3. Act on behalf of quality public education and call on America's leaders to give kids good schools.
4. Encourage a child to be all they can be.

In closing, Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas has afforded me the opportunity of a free and equal education under the law. As a citizen of the United States and as a young black african American female in the Cumberland county school system, I am entitled to that right and to this end I am exercising my right. A mind is a terrible thing to waste!