Lele and Marissa

I) Introduction

A) Picture of Mrs. Nields when she first came to Potomac

1) Zoom in on a picture of Mrs. Nields

2) Zoom out to Mrs. O’Hara talking

a) “They were called the 18 founding mothers and fathers”

II) Brief History of Mrs. Nields

A) How long she’s been at Potomac

B) What classes she’s taught

C) Positions she’s held

D) What teachers she has worked with that are still at Potomac

E) Mention family

1) Husband

2) Daughters band

3) Grandchildren

III) Quotes

A) Talk about teaching style

B) “Mrs. Nields has such an enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge”

1) Sam Siever’s Quote

C) “Mrs. Nields is really demanding of her students but the students adapt and develop a genuine respect for her and willingness to excel the challenging environment that she creates.”

1) Stephanie Croghan’s Quote

D) “She makes the kids want to excel in this environment by showing them how important it is to really learn about history and the material she’s teaching.”

1) Morgan Watts’ Quote

E) “She also inspired other teachers to strive to demand a lot of their students.”

1) Mr. Okoth’s Quote

F) “Mrs. Nields love for her family is apparent to anyone who knows her. She talks a lot about her grandkids and her daughters.”

1) Mr. Okoth’s Quote

2) Mrs. Anderson’s Quote

G) Mrs. Nields love of baseball

1) Mrs. Anderson’s Quote

H) “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

IV) Conclusion

A) “Thank you Mrs. Nields for:

1) Demanding so much from me - Student

2) For being a sister, confidant… - Mrs. O’Hara

3) Your true want for my success and instilling within me a desire to challenge myself to learn - Student

4) Caring about my individual work and success even if I felt overwhelmed - Student

B) “A teacher affects eternity: she can never tell where her influence stops.” – Henry Adams

JFK: The Cuban Missile Crisis

John F. Kennedy’s gave his televised speech about the Cuban Missile Crisis on October 22, 1962, six days after he had learned about the Soviet missile bases in Cuba from aerial photographs. Although the Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs had claimed that the missiles were for “defensive purposes only”, Kennedy decided that they were a threat to national security. The day before he gave this speech, Kennedy decided on a plan including a naval blockade of all incoming ships to Cuba. The speech was Kennedy’s first time addressing the nation about the threat, and announcing his response plan.

Kennedy starts the speech off by announcing exactly what evidence he has seen of the missile buildup in Cuba. He then takes two statements given by Soviet officials, and proceeds to show that they are false. He gives a dramatic pause after he announces each statement, and then says “That statement was false,” really emphasizing the fact that we have been lied to by the Soviet Union.

Kennedy then discusses how the Soviet Union and the United States have previously adhered to rules regarding missile placement, and that the Soviet Union has really overstepped its bounds by doing this. He uses the catchphrase “clear and present danger”, a term quoted from a bill regarding First Amendment speech rights, to describe how dangerous these secretive missiles are in Cuba. Kennedy references World War II while making a point that not reacting to dangerous conduct can end very badly.

Kennedy then begins to outline his plan for response in step by step format, outlining the various actions he wants the United States to take. He begins each step by numbering it “First…, Second…, ect.” He concludes his plan by discussing how he wishes to negotiate the removal of arms from both sides, but cannot have comfortable diplomatic discussions when there is such an imminent threat to the United States.

Next, Kennedy actually addresses the Cuban people, emphasizing how he understands what Cubans want and how they live. He reviews their history, and then discusses how Cuba should not be under Soviet dominance. He finishes off addressing the Cuban citizens by telling them that “these new weapons are not in your interest. They contribute nothing to your peace and well-being. They can only undermine it.” He then stresses how the United States is on their side in this conflict.

Finally, Kennedy discusses the goal of worldwide peace and freedom he hopes to achieve, but discusses how the path there is “full of dangers”. His conclusion seems to be an attempt to call all nations together to help the United States fix this danger.

Bush Response to 911

Attack. It’s not war, yet.
Surprise. Now, how do you respond?
How do you respond to a surprise attack?
What do you say to those who hurt you? Even more challenging, what do you say to those who have been hurt? Hurt directly, indirectly. Hurt solely on the basis that the place they call home, America, was attacked.
How do you lift the spirits of a society lost and confused? How do you answer the many questions shooting through their troubled minds?
How do you so much as begin to address these strenuous questions?
Unfortunately, 6 years, 3 months, and 3 days ago, our president had to answer. George W. Bush, or his speech writer, made deliberate choices when deciding how to phrase and compose the address he gave that Tuesday night, following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC.
Bush tactfully relies on pathos throughout the beginning of his speech. From the onset, he clarifies how the terrorist acts affected the entirety of the American people when he states, “our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks.” He wants the country, as a whole to be upset. This happened to us, all of us. He carefully chooses words such as attack, evil, and terror, to begin his speech. These words, coupled with references to the loss of “Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors,” evoke deep, vengeful passions. This leaves the listeners longing to hear what is to be done.
The viewers continue to hear alliteration, assonance, and consonance, which ring peacefully into their tortured ears. Phrases such as, “brightest beacon” and “strangers and neighbors,” provide hearty and catchy messages that lift the spirit. Following a day of such chaos and pain, the American people begin to feel their day have order.
Bush does this and so much more. As his speech goes on, he uses ethos and logos, while continuing to use tools of literature to keep his audience close to his message. He alludes to the Bible and cleverly revises the text of Psalm 23 to better appeal to the American people. He sets many images to hold onto the audience’s attention. His use of antithesis makes clear to all his listeners the extremes of the day’s situation.
There is so much to address about this historic speech. This analysis merely hints at all that is worked into Bush’s attempt to answer the questions of the American people. Stay tuned. Much more is to come.

Submitted by Kira Thompson

Introduction to “Peace Without Conquest”

On April 7, 1965 in front of sixty million viewers across the United States and around the world, Lyndon B. Johnson delivered a televised address from Johns Hopkins University. It was his first major speech on the War in Vietnam. Johnson had ordered his staff to compose an address because of the rising criticism and opposition to the War. It was later billed as “Peace Without Conquest” (which is notably similar to Woodrow Wilson’s “Peace Without Victory) and became one of the Johnson Administration’s most important foreign policy speeches. “Peace Without Conquest” was Johnson's explanation of the American involvement in the war as a means to bring harmony to the region while avoiding occupation.
In his speech, Johnson announced plans for an ambitious $1 billion development program along the vast Mekong River that would benefit not only Vietnam, but all of Southeast Asia. The program was intended as an offer to North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. Johnson was sure that Ho Chi Minh would take the offer, but the very next day, he turned it down. Ho Chi Minh’s rejection was just one of many instances in which Johnson’s deal-making skills failed him.
The speech was a huge success. Worldwide, leaders and newspapers of NATO allies applauded the speech. At home, editors and columnists praised Johnson's perceived new course. Those advocating a more militant line found Johnson's promise to defend South Vietnamese independence reassuring, while those clamoring for nonmilitary solutions found their satisfaction in Johnson's willingness to negotiate and offer of development aid.

Submitted by Morgan Watts

On Nixon: War

Richard Nixon was elected president on the platform that he would deescalate the Vietnam War. However, when he was elected president, he did just the opposite. He expanded the war by ordering American troops and planes into previously neutral Cambodia. Over the next couple years, the total tonnage of bombs dropped on Cambodia would exceed the entire tonnage dropped by all the Allies during all of World War II. Nixon gives this speech in justification of his hypocrisy.
From the beginning, Nixon’s speech abounds with ethos. He quickly establishes his reputation and credibility by stating that he plans on withdrawing 150,000 troops from Vietnam sometime in the future. He goes on to state that he can not withdraw the troops at the time because doing so would endanger the lives of the remaining troops. He points to a map of Vietnam in justification. He says that his actions will likely demolish any chance of a second term but that the lives of 400,000 American far outweigh any political aspirations.
Nixon then does something quite brilliant. He redefines the war in Vietnam as a war of politics into a war of ethics. The war in Vietnam ceases to be a war about containing communism and morphs into a war to save “18 million South Vietnamese who have put their trust in us.” He goes on to say that “it is not our power, but our will and character that is being tested tonight.”
Despite the outwardly pure appearance of Nixon’s speech, Americans see through the veil and see the heart of the matter: that Nixon lied. Protests become increasingly fervent and eventually lead to confrontations with the military that leave half a dozen dead at Kent State University and Jackson State University. Eventually Nixon relents, and starts withdrawing troops. Nixon’s speech fails in realigning the hearts of Americans.

Submitted by Kenzan Tanabe

JFK's Cuban Missile Crisis Address

Blog #4: Introduction of Analysis Speech
The speech I have chosen to analyze in my paper is John F. Kennedy’s October 22nd, 1962 address to the nation regarding the Cuban Missile Crisis. This speech comes on the heels of the United States discovery of what Kennedy calls “offensive” Soviet nuclear weapons sites on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of Florida. He details the plan of action the US has taken in response to this threat, as he “feels obliged to report this new crisis to [the American public] in fullest detail.” In his explanation of the threat, he shows that this problem is not only an American issue; since these weapons are located in the Western Hemisphere, nations such as Mexico, Panama and even Canada should be on alert to this new threat. Kennedy goes on to directly attack the Soviet Union for its violation of international treaty, its numerous lies to the American government, and its “capture” of the peaceful population of Cuba for their own aggressive intentions. He lists many examples which are used to not only put the Communists in a bad light, but also to better the image of the United States. Often when attacking the communists, Kennedy follows with a point of the American’s peaceful initiatives, furthering the idea that America has the moral high ground in this conflict. Kennedy then moves on to lay out seven plans that the United States will pursue immediately, everything from putting much of the military on high alert, to working directly with global organizations such as the UN and OAS, to talking directly with the Russian government to “search for peaceful and permanent solutions.” In closing his speech, Kennedy directly addresses the “captive people of Cuba,” as he tells them that their government is simply a “puppet” in the communist world, and that the United States wishes to free them as a people. In what I thought was a memorable closing line, Kennedy states, “Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right.”

Submitted by Kit Neuman

General MacArthur's USS Missouri Surrender Speech

Speech
War Speech Analysis

On September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur made two statements during the Japanese surrender ceremony on the deck of the battleship, U.S.S. Missouri. Both statements were short. The first statement before the signing of the surrender documents was tighter in composition, more concrete in its tone, having almost a contractual focus. The latter was both more theological and more apocalyptic in its focus, and ultimately more disjointed.
The first focused on the agreement to be signed, an agreement “to restore peace.” General MacArthur emphasized that the conflicts between the nations were no longer to be debated; the battlefield had determined the winners and loser, and the goal among the parties was not vindictiveness but rather compliance with the document’s terms. MacArthur ended by stating his hope that a better world would result from the agreement. This statement conforms to the scope of the signing itself.
The second was darker, describing the mood in the early “grim” days of the war, when “an entire world lived in fear” and when “democracy was on the defensive”, when “modern civilization trembled in the balance”. MacArthur then abruptly shifts to the future, not merely discussing preservation of what had been won in the war but rather the “destructiveness of the war potential,” the risk it posed to civilization’s survival. He discussed the possibility of Armageddon, that humanity had already had its last chance. Survival of humanity required changes in human character to parallel the advances of knowledge over the prior two thousand years. All of this apparently references both the general destructiveness of the war and the specific development and use of the atomic bomb as the first true weapon of mass destruction. MacArthur’s two themes in the comments, the threats of the early war years and the risks of the new technology, do not tie together, making the second statement much weaker in composition.
Nonetheless, the message he provides here is quite important. Although the drafting of the speech is somewhat poor, the individual statements he makes are powerful. He writes in a simplistic enough way that any audience would understand and leave the deck of this ship with the same notion that peace must be maintained.

Submitted by Ben Shambon

Franklin D. Roosevelt uses logos, ethos, and pathos equally throughout his “Great Arsenal of Democracy” speech on December 29, 1940.

Throughout the speech, Roosevelt utilizes different quotes from axis power leaders to accurately convince people that the axis is more than wrong, it is terrible an evil. He uses common sense to convince people that the U.S.’s role in World War II is minimal for now and can only reap positive benefits if the citizens do their best to help Great Britain. Roosevelt demonstrates that if the U.S. does not help Great Britain, we will be doomed to fall to the axis powers.

FDR has a ton of evidence supporting his good intentions regarding the well being of the U.S. and its citizens. The people already have a lot of trust in FDR for things that he has already done. He has already proved himself by immensely improving many peoples’ quality of life after the stock market crash in 1933 and the subsequent Great Depression. Though his audience already knows these facts, FDR spends the first portion of his speech making sure that his good intentions are in the front of everyone’s mind before he continues to make his “risky” points. He states that he will use the same approach to help the U.S. in this current “crisis” of WWII, as he did in the 1933 crisis. It is also implied that FDR has good intentions for Americans because he is the president, and therefore has a clear stake in the situation; his reputation relies on his decision about WWII.

With the gravity of the current “crisis,” it is easy for FDR to reach out the peoples’ emotions. He uses particularly harsh and effective words such as “Nazi masters,” “aggressor nations,” “dominate,” “enslave,” “crush,” and “corrupt” to arouse a feeling of fear. He later channels this fear towards motivation and desire to establish peace. To do this, FDR uses inspirational phrases like “splendid cooperation between the government and industry and labor,” nothing “shall delay the immediate expansion of those industries essential to defense,” “we have the men, the skill, the wealth, and above all, the will” to accomplish our military goals, “we will devote ourselves to the same whole-hearted extent to the great task that lies ahead,” “we must be the great arsenal of democracy,” and “democratic faith.”

"A Dream, that's still a Dream"

"Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair."

I will not reflect upon how Martin Luther King's speech incorporated pathos, ethos, or logos. I will not even go into detail on how his words touched so many people that sweltering hot day at the mall of Washington. I won't even mention why this speech was so moving.

I will reflect on how one particular line reflects how I feel about the African-American progress in the 21st century. I will reflect on how we, as African-Americans have lost the momentum for advancing ourselves as a whole. I will mention how we have done the opposite of what Roy Wilkin's speech "The Clock Will Not Be Turned Back" proclaimed. I will mention that Martin's speech "I Have A Dream" seems as if, it will merely be just a dream. I will mention how we have "wallowed in the valley of despair."

Two nights ago my cousin didn't come home. He's not really my cousin, but my grandmother has cared for him through the foster care system for six years. The past three years, he has steadily grown rebellious. All he talks about is B's up C's down (reference to the gangs Crips and Bloods), making millions by going into the NFL (a mere fantasy), fighting some boys that looked at him the wrong way, and doing things that really didn't matter. He never really studied. I don't think even he cared. During the beginning of our senior year, he began to think about his future and realistic goals. He was going to enlist into the army right after he graduated. He was going to graduate from high school even though he was struggling. But somewhere, something went wrong. Maybe it was when he started high school that he realized that entering into the NFL was highly unlikely. Maybe it was when he grew very emotional and depressed about his 15 year old biological sister getting pregnant a year ago. Maybe it was the first day he entered his first foster care home. Maybe it was when his parents neglected him. But somewhere, something went wrong and for the past 4 months all he has talked about is running away. His family has told him multiple times that they don't want him. He has no money. He has no place to stay and my grandmother has been patient through his ups and downs, his disrespectful behavior, and his attitude of not caring. My grandmother is getting tired, and Wednesday was the day that he legally was not obligated to stay with my grandmother. He turned 18 Wednesday. My grandmother wanted him to stay and finish school. She also wanted him to keep his job that he quit for the fourth time. She wanted him to do something with his life, even though his family didn't support him, his friends weren't helping him, and his environment wasn't motivating him. We all were rooting for him. We all didn't want to see him wallow in his despair. But Wednesday night he didn't come home. He packed his clothes in a trash bag and came back for it sometime on Thursday. He's gone. We've done everything to help him, but he has made stupid decisions for the past two years to the point that we have grown tired of helping him. Two months before graduating he has decided to drop out. Is it his fault? Or is it his parents fault? Or should it even matter? He was lucky for being placed with my grandmother and my family. Instead of giving up he should of kept going. Now we (my family) will never know his potential. And that's the problem that I think our African-American community is facing today.

We are giving up and wallowing in our despair. So what you grew up around drugs. So what that our ancestors were enslaved. So what we've had to struggle for years with injustice and discrimination. Rise up from despair and move forward. If the white system is not going to help us then we have to help ourselves. I think that this was Martin Luther King's real dream. His dream was to keep moving even in the face of adversary. We are suffering and we are falling back. We are killing ourselves by giving in to violence, drugs, sex, and broken homes. If we continue, Martin's dream will remain a dream, and then just a mere fantasy.

I have an improvised dream...

Martin Luther King’s speech is already an impressive speech, but the most shocking thing to me is that the speech was largely improvised. He draws on such elaborate metaphors throughout his speech which would require a genius to dream up on the spot. Instead of analyzing this speech’s message, which I believe King conveys quite clearly, I am going to focus on what improvisational techniques he uses.

I have been to a few improvisational shows and seen many on television, and one thing I notice is that their acts are very interactive with the audience – they sample what the audience likes based on their response, and use it to continue. I watched Martin Luther King’s speech and noticed that the audience gave frequent and loud responses. They applauded frequently, and would often chant “Yes!” or “My Lord!” in unison.

I noticed that whenever King received response for a phrase he said, he would often start into a parallel-structure list of similar ideas (“We must…. We must…”, “I have a dream…”). Sometimes, when such a list was not appropriate, he would simply elaborate deeper on a metaphor, or just give more examples of how his metaphor was accurate (We’ve come to cash this check (‘Yes!’) …riches of freedom (‘Yes!’) and security of justice. (‘Yes!’) [applause]”).

King is actively listening to the audience, and really giving them what they want to hear. I’m sure if there had been a lulled response when he started his “I have a dream…” sequence, he would have moved onto something else, but since his audience responded so loudly to his first dream claim, he continued making more and more, generating more and more energy until he climaxes with a biblical illusion “…that the glory of the lord shall be revealed”.

Compare this speech to another speech which generates a lot of dynamic response – the State of the Union. The president recites his speech regardless of what response he gets from whom, and as a result it usually ends up being rather dull. This speech, on the other hand, seems so much more active simply because King listens to the audience and uses their responses to generate energy.

In this improvised speech, King generates impressive phrasing on the go. One part of his speech that particularly impressed me was his list of geographic locations in his concluding “Let freedom ring…!” section. He managed to dynamically list landmarks all over the country to include everyone. King not only shows himself to be a visionary, but a genius.

Kit "I Have a Dream" Reaction

Although I have read and heard Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech numerous times, this particular time that I read it I was struck by two major elements. First, I was struck by King Jr.’s extensive use of dark and light imagery. Second, I found it surprising that King Jr. eagerly included all Americans, including Whites, into his movement.

Multiple times in the speech, King Jr. uses dark and light imagery to symbolize the struggle that the African-Americans have gone through, and the promise of the future toward which they are working. He calls the Emancipation Proclamation a “beacon light of hope,” coming as a “joyous daybreak to end the long night of [the African-Americans] captivity.” In reference to the struggle they are about to attempt to overcome, King Jr. references the “dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.” Furthermore, he pledges to continue to lead the fight against inequality “until the bright day of justice emerges.” All of these images and metaphors are based on biblical depictions of God and goodness as being “light,” while Satan and evil are almost exclusively portrayed in a dark context. While King Jr. was preaching for civil rights and equality for all Americans, he was a minister by trade, and these biblical allusions are what he (and his audience of comprised mainly of devout Christians) knew best.

“We cannot walk alone.” I believe that this quote, placed in the middle of King Jr.’s speech, embodies his attitude towards other races of Americans in relation to the Civil Rights Movement of the African-Americans. Despite years of oppression from Whites, years full of broken promises and broken dreams, King Jr. urges African-Americans to not “distrust all white people,” because “[the white’s] destiny is tied up with our destiny.” As opposed to later movements such as the Black Panthers and other more aggressive organizations, King Jr., in his typical non-violent style, wants to accept the whites into his movement in order to achieve his cause quicker. This speech was not only intended to further the cause of African-Americans; in a sense, it was directed to all people in order to create true equality throughout American society. I find it amazing that someone who has been so oppressed, beat down, and persecuted could be so willing to work with his opponents. That is true character.

I Have a Dream Speech Reaction

One of the main themes that Martin Luther King uses throughout this speech is the contrast between hot and cold. He references situations of extreme heat and cool relief. The heat is “sweltering,” and seemingly suffocative while “cooling off” is considered a “luxury.” Dr. King knows that the “sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.” This imagery is effective because everyone has experienced swelter and because the day of the speech was probably sweltering and stuffy because it was in Washington, D.C. in late August. King’s references to extreme heat would not have been nearly as effective if the audience were in a cold climate. He poses the contrast of “an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality” as a huge relief and success. Also, after summer, autumn comes surely and inevitably. This furthers his metaphor by implying that freedom and equality will inevitably come if the “creative protest” continues. Using the same reference to hot and cool settings, King states that he “[has] a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustices, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” Once again, heat and swelter is used in a negative situation, while the oasis represents a freedom, justice, and a cooling release from the oppression.

Another aspect of this hot – cool metaphor is the difference between the climate of the North and South in the U.S. and the difference between their respective levels of discrimination against African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. Blacks were much more oppressed in the South than in the North, as Dr. King knows when he says that he “cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.” The fact that blacks cannot even vote in the South gives the South the negative connotation that comes with the “sweltering” oppression in the region. The North’s climate is a bit cooler temperature wise, but also in terms of discrimination because blacks can at least vote in the North. Dr. King’s metaphor of the contrast of hot and cool has many more levels than it would first appear to have; but each different aspect of the metaphor works very well with Dr. King’s meaning that he is trying to get across in his speech.

MLK Reaction

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister. It would therefore make sense that his speeches contain many religious overtones and Biblical allusions. From quoting scripture, to using images of fire and hell, his speeches are as much a plea to religious values as they are to moral concerns.


Even in “I Have a Dream,” a speech that fights for the equality all ethnicities, the biblical allusions are obvious. From referencing “God’s Children” to directly quoting scripture “… until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream,” one gets the distinct feel
that this speech is a sermon.


At the time, this might have been a good thing – people regularly attended church and believed in god. He might have intended to link his cause to God’s cause and thereby get more people to support his cause. Maybe, being a Bible man, he just wanted to proselytize. Whatever the reason, he inextricably linked the fight for freedom with religion.


And it worked. Segregation came to a screeching halt, and America has more or less become the dream that Martin Luther King hoped for. He won the Nobel Peace Prize. He got dozens of schools, bus stops, buildings, and streets named after him. He even got something that no president has ever gotten, a national holiday. He has become immortalized as only a few Americans, like Washington and Jefferson have.


If the ends justify the means, than there is no doubt the Martin Luther King is a holy man. But if the means by which the goals are attained do matter, I think Martin Luther King is not the hero we all make him out to be.


He plucked a tender string in all of America. He knew that Americans were religious and used it against them. Even though the cause for which he fought was noble, even though he gave his life for the rights of others, even though he improved the lives of countless people, including mine, he used religion to attain his goals. Consider what others have done using the same religious tactic as MLK of playing to the religious values of America: rape victims were denied abortions; stem cell research that could help people like Michael J. Fox has been greatly hindered; gays have been denied the constitutional right to marriage; the entire Middle East crisis.


Martin Luther King was a great man. I wouldn’t argue otherwise. All I’m saying is that if his cause was so great, his motives so pure, his argument so sound, why couldn’t he leave religion out of it?

Andrew's Retirement Speech

It’s good to see you all here. Even though I know that some of you are just here for the free food.

When I started this company forty years ago, I never imagined we would accomplish as much as we have. My partner Sarah and I started this company to combat global warming. Remember when that was still the hot issue?

Since then, we have made so much progress. I started out as our chief architect, Sarah started out as our chief artist, and Bobby over there took care of the business side of things, and John Fletcher, who is unfortunately no longer with us, gave us the capital we needed to get started. What visionaries we were.

I’ll never forget the day we got our first huge contract, from my hometown, Washington DC. We were to completely redesign their school facilities. Us – a small startup green architecture company – we were to design over a hundred energy-efficient buildings. They even let us install solar-panels on the roofs – something we had dreamed of but had never imagined that any contractor would let us do. Our company’s size multiplied by at least ten times in that year – We hired Sandra, our head lawyer, who has since saved our company countless times. We found Joe, one of the brightest kids I have ever met, who will soon be assuming my job.

I can’t continue this speech any further without mentioning my mother and father, and what influences they had for me – raising me in my liberal-hippie household, encouraging me along this journey. My mom was convinced I would switch my major from engineering when I went into college, and she was right. I don’t know, however, if she anticipated me switching back. My father, always the optimist, seemed to believe I would excel at whatever I would do, no matter how unrealistic the goals I set for myself were.

We all felt so good about what we were doing – not only did I enjoy my job, but I really felt like I was making a difference. Environmental organizations would frequently endorse us, which was a spectacular feeling. Eventually, some competitors tried to employ some of our ideas into their work, and I could not have been happier. Sure, I loved making money, but I loved even more that we were making such a difference that others were following in our lead.

Some people have asked me why I never assumed the role of president in this company. I must make it clear to everyone that being president never appealed to me. I was perfectly happy being the head architect. I felt like a family, not a network of employees.

Thus, I conclude my career as Chief Architect at Green Horizons. Thank you Sarah, for sticking with me in this dream. Thank you Joe, for doing what you do so well. I will continue to remain on our board of directors, but, to be honest, I’m really going to enjoy my free time. You can be sure that I will still show up at company events and act like the life of the party.

So, as I say my thanks, I want you all to know that I am not saying goodbye. In fact, you may not even notice any shift in my presence for awhile. You have all been great to work with, and I cannot have imagined a more desirable way to have lead my adult life.  

Farewell-Kira

Tonight was my last performance. I will no longer sit in my wood chair by the window overlooking Manhattan as I learn lines. I will no longer enter the black box theatre above the bakery to rehearse scenes. I will no longer sit at a makeup desk and apply pounds of makeup so I don’t wash out on stage. No longer.

I hate to be dramatic, especially now that I am leaving the theatre. But, I cannot contain my emotions as I reminisce over the years I’ve spent on the stage. I need to express my appreciation for what theatre has given to the world and to me, specifically.

Theatre brings many important issues into light in stages around the world. In today’s society, where people often look to the media and entertainment for information and instruction, theatre offers an important medium for exploring a variety of topics ranging from politics to ethical dilemmas to personal relationships. On television, people can witness battles between politicians, cultures, and families from a distance. This disconnect prevents the viewers from empathizing with the situation at hand. Yet, whether it is a hilarious parody of daily life or a heartbreaking story of despair, watching these stories unfold on stage brings “the issue home.”

According to last year’s Nobel Price winner, Dr. Jefferson, society learns best by reading books, attending lectures and undergoing personal experiences. Theatre blends these activities. Its scripts are the fabric from which issues of life are woven and displayed to an audience for contemplation. The actors push forward these themes through their deliverance on stage. Because of theatre’s intimate setting, a play creates a bond with the audience that leaves the viewers personally connected to the story that unfolds before their eyes.

I will certainly miss this connection and more.

Theatre has given so much to me in these past few decades. I know that my character doesn’t fit into easy pigeonholes. Maybe that’s why the most important thing in my life has been theatre. On stage, there are no fixed personalities. Anybody can play anyone and identity is only what you create. On a stage, I’m not tied down by social expectations or any of those superficial things that melt away in the bright lights. I love acting because theatre expands my persona. On stage, I can release my emotions and be every “me” that I am.
Unfortunately, my body can no longer handle the stress and pressure of acting. Those emotions, which once provided the rush that kept me performing in live-theatre, are now forcing me to step down.

Yet, theatre has given me a platform that I hope to use to promote the ever-increasing need for environmental action. While I am saying goodbye to the stage of theatre, I hope you will continue to support me on my next stage in life.

Thank you.

Retirement Speech - Lele

My fellow faculty members,

I leave you in sadness, but I leave you with hope. I feel I must leave you purely due to consequence of my age. One of the most important qualities a teacher must possess is an overabundance of energy, and then some. As this degree of physical energy fades within me, a new kind of enthusiasm arises. An enthusiasm for spending time with my children and grand children, traveling the world, finding a new home to retire in with my husband, taking up some new hobbies, and generally having the time to do things leisurely. This may not seem like much of a plan for the rest of my life, but just wait until you are my age. My plan is to have the time to do whatever it is that spontaneously grasps me.

My 17 years here in the Math Department at Potomac have been truly remarkable. It has been an amazing opportunity to work at the high school that I went to. I cannot say that my initial dream in high school was to come back here as a teacher, but eventually it did. In fact, in high school, all I wanted to do was get away from Potomac. But as soon as I spent a few years away, I had to come back to send my 4 kids here, and then teach once they all graduated. I think that that is a real testament to Potomac’s core values and priorities.

As teachers, we are supposed to uphold these values in our classrooms everyday. But how does one go about this? How can you teach English, Algebra, or Biology while keeping a constant undertone of “Generosity of Spirit,” and the values of honesty, respect and community? I have realized that these are things that have to come naturally and somewhat subconsciously from each individual teacher. It is our unwritten duty to devote our free time to individual students, to be honest with our students by sharing our life experiences with them and by putting schoolwork into perspective. We must respect each student by trusting them and by looking beyond their past work to see that each class can be a new beginning for anyone who needs it. And community but be formed by humor: laughter between teachers and students. I hope that if I leave anything last here, that it is that crucial bond of a tight community between teachers and students because this is what encourages a happy learner.

It was years before these qualities came to me naturally. The people I must thank who helped me get to that point are my husband, John, my four kids, Erin, Conor, Bennet, and Helena, my sisters, and each of you. Individually, in somewhat or other, you have all been there to help me deal with difficult situations with students or by supporting me when I needed it most in my life, when my parents passed. Going into this job, I never thought I would get so personal and close with all of you because I was still thinking of Potomac teachers and authority figures from my high school. Although I came into this job well into adulthood, I have grown up so much through this career experience. I have enjoyed working with you all immensely and I will be sure to see you all around campus form time to time next year.

Kit's Retirement Speech

As I stepped up to this microphone a moment ago, I faintly heard the “pop” of a bubble. For forty years I have lived my dream. But now, my bubble has burst, and it is all over. Looking back on my career, I realize that it was defined by two major aspects: French food, and the golf course.
French food is what persuaded me to become an international man. At the young age of 13, when everything in my life centered around food, I made my first overseas voyage, in which I traversed the country of France. At the time I was severely allergic to eggs (a disease which I have thankfully grown out of by now) and so I was forced to be acutely aware of everything I ate. However, I began to enjoy talking to the locals about their cuisine and the care they put into every aspect of the food process. It was then, before I had even entered high school, that I realized I wanted to extend my life globally. France was a place special to my heart after my trips in both 8th grade and my year abroad in college, and when I decided to enter the government, I knew that was where I wanted to go. When I ascended to the position of Ambassador, I finally had realized my dream, and I count those eight years as some of my best. However, after the Presidential change in ’44, I felt that the country was going in a different direction than I was, so I stepped down with little fanfare.
After my retirement in ’44, I spent plenty of time on the golf course, and trust me, in those four years, I got pretty good at the game I love. Yet, it was on a course in central Virginia where I played with then presidential-candidate Milhouse. It was then that he informed me that he wanted me to run his State Department should he be elected President. With the blessings of my beloved family, I decided to accept his offer, and with his narrow victory (way to go Idaho!), I assumed my role in his cabinet. Secretary of State is a position which required great amounts of energy and focus, but was immensely enjoyable as well, as I quickly found that giving orders was a lot better than receiving them. But all good things must come to an end eventually, and with another presidential change on the horizon, I knew (this time for sure) that it was time for me to pass the torch. My family and my golf game are calling me back, and I will go to them with no doubts in my mind. I see leaders rising up through the ranks, such as Senator Fitzgerald and Secretary Delano, who are bringing new ideas on how to keep our country strong. So, while my time may be done, a new era is dawning, and our future is brighter than ever.
I thank all of you that came today, family, friends, colleagues and teachers, for giving me so much support and joy. As I move on to this new stage in my life, I only hope I can give back as much as I have received. Thank you.

Kenzan's Retirement Speech

I can still remember my first tour of duty in Iraq. I remember hot summer nights and even hotter summer days. I remember sweating until my fingers pruned. I remember when, for twenty bucks, our platoon officer decided to try and capture a camel spider with his bare hands. I can still hear his screams and my laughter. I remember mystery meatball and cardboard spaghetti rations. I remember shower less days and weeks.

But then, I remember puddles of scarlet, rotting corpses, and maggots. I remember shooting and killing children a quarter of my age. I remember trying to wash away the smell of death from my clothes, my hair, and my skin. I remember falling asleep to the sound of children crying.

I remember the conflicts that followed: the military occupation of Mexico, the North Korean incursion, the Panama Canal takeover, the war for Chinese freedom. I remember President Schwarzenegger saying, “We must fight for the freedom of the oppressed and exploited.” I remember believing those words.

I can see now, with the clarity of sight that comes only with the passage of time, that we weren’t fighting for the rights of others; we were only fighting for our own rights. We fought whenever our interests – political or economic – were at stake. The Iraqi conflict endangered our supply of oil; the chaos in Mexico threatened to spill over the border; the North Korean dictator was becoming too ambitious in his nuclear weapons program, the Panama Canal needed to be protected from insurgents, the Chinese government threatened to eradicate cheap labor in China for American companies. Where our interests were not at stake, we turned a blind eye. We ignored the genocides of Darfur, Congo, and India because American interests weren’t at stake.

When the oil in Iraq dried up, we abandoned the free people of Iraq. Within months a Muslim autocracy replaced the established democracy. When Nicaragua made a larger canal, the Panama Canal became a moot point, and we betrayed the Panamanians and left them out to dry. The ensuing and ongoing civil war has claimed upwards of a million lives.

I saw that the principles of democracy were only a cover for the vested interests of American power and money. I saw that our American democracy was not run by its citizens, but by big business.

With my retirement from the American military as of January 11, 2057, I am freed from my obligations to the American nation. I ask you today, my family and friends, to forgive me for what I am about to do. I have seen the injustices of America, and aim to bring about change.

As for what I am about to do, I will only say that people will mar my name in what mud they can find. They will call me a terrorist and a threat to America and curse my name in vain. In the coming months and years, I ask you only to remember this: Madison and Washington, our greatest patriots, were called terrorists by the British. Perhaps one day, I too, will be called a patriot.

Hollywood - Andrew

Hollywood is a universal American symbol not just to us, but to people all over the world. When I say Hollywood, I am not so much referring to the place, as to the Hollywood feel in America. We truly are still the entertainment and glamour capital of the world, even if we have been falling behind in other areas recently. From the movies, music, and TV shows to the celebrity relationships and scandals, almost everyone in America embraces Hollywood in some fashion.



If you have ever watched TV in a foreign country, you may have noticed that almost half of what’s on is American television shows and movies. Sometimes they have been dubbed over with foreign voices, but sometimes they have been left as they are. When I went to Ireland, the people there knew everything about the Simpsons. They excitedly asked me about upcoming movies in Ireland, most of which had been released in the US months beforehand. Even portions of their news shows are spent discussing American celebrities and what trouble they have been getting into.



The Hollywood life is no less pervasive within America. We are all mesmerized by the newest TV shows, even though many of them are trashy. We rush to movies featuring hot, half-naked actors and actresses. A celebrity checking into rehab will still make the front page of many newspapers. Entire TV specials are constructed around watching what celebrities wear as they walk into a party. Some people will buy clothes just because they saw their favorite celebrity wearing it.



Does Hollywood make us shallow? Does this image we are portraying to other countries falsify our reputation? Probably – most of us don’t look like celebrities, nor do we have the money to start up charities named after us. But beyond all the intimidation that these celebrities may cause, I think there are benefits to the popularity of Hollywood. After all, we wouldn’t be paying attention to Hollywood if we didn’t like what we saw.



Although some movies and TV shows are low quality, they really can function as an excellent form of self-expression and serve to rally people up for causes. There are some smart and sophisticated shows on TV that can really be stimulating and enjoyable. Some recent movies, such as Hotel Rwanda and An Inconvenient Truth, have served as excellent ways to promote awareness for issues. The Oscars are still the most watched and most important awards show in the world. Directors from all over the world aspire to get honored and recognized in America. Hollywood, though it has its ugly side, is actually a rather attractive part of our country, especially right now, when America is unpopular for many other reasons. 

The United States, Land of Opportunity

Opportunity is defined as a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success. Through the centuries, the U.S. has been known as the land of opportunity. This saying is untrue because it is not specific enough. America is the land of opportunity for people who are born into already well-off families. This is evident while looking at two types of opportunity. People from well-off families are usually presented with opportunities for success. On the other hand, people who are not very well-off usually have to seek out opportunities, which requires much more effort and often turn out unsuccessful.
A person born into a wealthy family is readily presented with opportunities. These opportunities consist of education, technology, college degree, leisure time, and occupational opportunities. Through their parents, this person also has the luxury of pursuing a career without the pressure of immediate success. There is not an overwhelming pressure to succeed because their parents are able to support them financially. America is certainly the Land of Opportunity for people who are born privileged.
America is not the land of opportunity for a poor immigrant new to the country, or someone born into a poor family. These people do not have a solid financial background, and therefore have a great amount of pressure to succeed in their every endeavor. They usually only have access to public schools, community college, or no college. It is hard to focus on high school work because teenagers may have to work to help support the family. Without showing great academic success and potential coming out of high school, these teenagers will only be able to go to community college. The only other option is to go right into work that does not pay well. If they do not succeed, or make money off of what they are doing, they arrive at an even more pressured situation. It is here that the vicious cycle of minimal opportunity begins again.

Equality for All

America is know to be the land of opportunity and the land of freedom. Yet, it has only been about 200 years since the end of slavery, and blacks have been in America for almost 400 years. When many people think of America, they think of equality no matter the race or ethnicity. But when you look at the socioeconomic status of different races, African-Americans and Hispanics seem to dominate the lower income class opposed to the high income class which is dominated but mostly white Americans. In the DC public school systems, the quality of education does not reach the standards of "equal" education. Some schools haven't been repaired since the 1960s, such as my neighborhood school (Coolidge Highschool), there's a lack of teachers, and schools don't provide the essential tools needed to carry out the lessons. And one other thing...most of the public schools have black students. Naturally the world wouldn't work if everone was chief, but the gap between the rich and poor in this country is so wide that to call it the "country of equality" is just presumptuous.

Stephanie - Money is happiness?

Money cannot buy happiness. Money creates a sense of hope and contentment, but ultimately you can’t buy true happiness. The important things in life are friends and family; not what kind of car you drive or how big your house is. Yes, a Coach purse or a Rolex can provide a short window of thrill, but these items can’t love you back, or provide any sense of satisfaction when you are alone.If happiness could be purchased, every actor and actress in Hollywood would be married and have perfect lives, when in reality the rich and famous can end up being the most miserable. There is no way to control love; it is a sacred treasure that can’t be manipulated with money. Of course, the shallow people of the world give us examples of marrying for money and the tabloids take advantage of their pain and stupidity. Ultimately, choosing money over love leaves a person depressed and unfulfilled in life. There is no substitute for pure happiness.Money can act as a convenient tool in life, which can be considered delightful at times. Wealth can generate feelings of excitement and self-importance, but those emotions are miniscule compared to true love, compassion, and joy. Building a multi-million dollar business is exciting and worth priding yourself on, but it does not define a person’s character. People with money may receive admiration from their peers, but jealousy is rarely attained because extreme wealth does not define a ‘good life’. The essential things in life can’t be acquired through money and problems of the mind and soul can’t be fixed by wealth. Happiness can be obtained through nature’s beauty; another treasure that riches can’t create. Sunsets, flowers, and waterfalls are wondrous parts of our world that are untainted by the corruptness of money. Even though wealth is helpful, it does not provide a person will a lovable life. It cannot create loved ones, and it cannot create happiness.

Kira Thompson - Wild West

The “Wild West” is a myth that remains true today. When the term was coined during the nineteenth century, it signified a West (that is now considered the mid-West) that was wild, as in unmarked. Pioneers following the construction of the transcontinental railroad braved the frontier and established homes where wilderness and/or Native Americans had reigned. The Wild West accommodated the more progressive Americans who welcomed the challenges of the unexplored territory. The Wild West also referred to the rowdy cowboys who set up “sinful” brothels, where pleasure was the guiding force for people’s lives. The West, especially California, continues to represent many of these “wild” sketches. Western states are making wild, unprecedented political decisions. California is the poster child for direct democracy, a status that does not readily appear to be wild, but certainly is. California braved the frontier of democracy and established itself as one of the more radical (in a liberal sense) states in the country. California has divided the power of the government among the general public to the extreme that only 15% of the state budget lies within the legislature or the governor’s control. The California school system, which used to be one of the most respected educational institutions in the country, has fallen due to the limits placed on its budget. The people of California took the principle of democracy, and ran wild with it.The West still holds “wild,” progressive and rowdy Americans. Citizens of the west coast are notorious for their innovative environmental attitude. While the rest of the country accepts the federal government’s approach to the environment, the western states mark a unique path to environmental action. Los Angeles can easily be compared to old western towns that beckoned the term “Wild West.” The local law enforcement handles the rampant crime poorly. The media exploits the pleasure-seeking celebrities for their many sins. Despite the negative characteristics of the “Wild West,” the West will continue to lure people. Perhaps it is the “wild” aspect of the West that most entices.

Marissa - Fat Americans

Americans are thought of as being fat. Americans eat what they want, watch television all the time, and do not exercise. As a result of this laziness, Americans become fat. Americans eat meals that are from fast-food restaurants or easy-to-cook pasta dinners. Food portions in America are very large and the food is not healthy. Most Americans think of a serving as a whole plateful of food, when in reality, it is about a quarter of that. Other Americans, however, do not even know anything about healthy eating and therefore, eat what they want which can be dangerous. Today’s youth does not do a lot of physical activity and yet continues to eat massive quantities of food. Children today spend most of their time playing video games or watching TV instead of going outside to run around and burn calories. Instead, they sit in front of a TV screen, eating snacks, and not exerting any energy. However, there are many Americans that watch what they eat. They prepare healthy meals, watch their food portions, and exercise regularly. Pressure in today’s society to be skinny sells a lot of diet plans and encourages eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. There are a large number of diet plans, such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, and herbal and other pills that are tried by many people. Media and TV put pressure on people to be skinny and many people succumb to that pressure and take dieting to the extremes of eating disorders.The cultural myth that all Americans are fat is not true. There are extremes; some Americans are obese, especially with the relatively new charts that show what someone’s weight should be compared to their height. However, there are Americans that are not obese and are careful about what they eat and the amount of exercise they get. Unfortunately, another part of the population has fallen victim to eating disorders.

Kit - American Dream

The American Dream. This ideal has been ingrained in every child in America hoping for success in life. It claims that every American has the chance to rise up from the depths of poverty to great wealth. It is the reason that so many foreigners want to immigrate to the Land of Opportunity. In reality, however, not many people are fortunate enough to accomplish this goal; for most, the idea of rags-to-riches is no more than a “dream.” The “Dream” began before the States of America were even United, during a time when British entrepreneurs who had run out of luck in their homeland looked to the New World as a chance to grow their fortunes. After the independence of the colonies, the perception of the dream continued because of the revolutionary freedoms America offered. What was unique to the United States was its democratic society, as there were no laws preventing citizens from improving their class status, laws which were prevalent in many contemporary nations. These freedoms encouraged massive numbers of immigrants to leave their poverty-stricken lands in order to seek their own American Dream. Many people realized that dream; however, most have been unsuccessful in their quest.Someone who achieved the American Dream is Chris Gardener, the man portrayed in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Through hard work, intelligence, and great luck, Gardener was able to rise from a homeless man to a wealthy executive. This is an inspiring success story, but it is the kind of story you make a movie out of, not a typical experience. In the world today, there are hundreds of people with high intellect and a strong work ethic, but there are not enough opportunities for all of them to succeed. In order to achieve the “Dream,” individuals need to have some luck in order for them to be recognized for their abilities, and stand out from the rest. The harsh reality is that people with money have more chances to demonstrate their skills, and therefore have an easier time distinguishing themselves. Whether it is through personal “connections” or graduation from an elite university, wealthy people tend to have an easier time getting noticed. And every time a rich person is hired, there is usually someone who is equally if not more qualified left chasing their American Dream.

Kenzan - Melting Pot

America used to be called a melting pot – a giant pot of stew where the carrots taste like potatoes, and the potatoes taste like carrots. You started out with a variety of distinct ingredients but ended up with one giant brown uniform mush (like the soups in the cafeteria). The melting pot symbolized the assimilation of various cultures into one– the American culture. Somewhere along the line, this idea of a melting pot became taboo and assimilation became evil. You had to respect everyone’s differences, even celebrate them. An assembly on Christianity had to be followed by an assembly on Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Wicca. People stopped simply being American, but became Japanese-American, Indian-American, African-American, etc. America became a salad bowl, where everything is distinct and retains their original tastes and textures. Today, we believe in this salad bowl America. We recognize black history month and Hispanic history month. We respect each other’s cultural differences and encourage children to learn their parent’s languages. We encourage people to retain their cultural identity. But is this what we want? Do we want an America of countless ethnic minorities that focus on their differences rather than their similarities? Do we want a country of hyphenated Americans?I would argue no. We do not want diversity in America. Look at the ancient Greeks. They were a nation of many cultures –a conglomeration of city states each with their unique identity. And what happened to them? They fell because they could not unite together against the Persians. There are other examples too – the Balkans, the Soviet Union, Ireland. An America of divided cultures would follow the path of previous mutli-cultural nations into downfall and ruin.Instead of celebrating diversity and the salad bowl version of America, we should celebrate the similarities that exist among us, like our belief in hope and prosperity. Instead of trying to maintain our different cultural heritages, we should be focused on creating and maintaining the American culture. And as for our separate cultures, we will not forget them; they will add another layer of flavor to the melting pot. And if you still think that celebrating diversity is more important than celebrating similarities, then I ask you this: would you really take a bland and unsatisfying salad (think school salad bar with those Crayola colored dressings) over a hearty, warm, and filling stew (fat free of course and available with or without meat)?