National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate, was a featured speaker during the ceremony’s opening general session. She performed her poem, “Miracle of Morning” – a message of hope, joy, and unity in times of turmoil. During her remarks, Amanda provided reflections on how her personal school experiences shaped and inspired her in her youth. She emphasized that it was meaningful relationships with teachers and staff that gave her the confidence to aim high. She described how a teacher’s encouragement and recognition inspired her to enter her first city-based youth poetry contest, leading her on a path to becoming the Nation’s first Youth Poet Laureate. She reminded the audience how critical it is for schools to create a sense of belonging and community so students can rise and stated that her goal is to “make sure that every young person has the microphone and the skill set in order to share their voice and share their ideas.” Read “Miracle of Morning” here.