WSVN-TV - MAST Academy needs votes to host President Obama

WSVN-TV - MAST Academy needs votes to host President Obama
MIAMI (WSVN) -- A South Florida magnet school is one of a select few nationwide that could be welcoming the president on the United States on campus.

Maritime and Science Technology High School, also known as MAST Academy, was picked as a finalist to host President Obama as a graduation speaker, but students need your help to get him there.

The excitement could be felt at MAST Academy, after the school received the word from White House staffers that they are finalists in the national Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. The prize: a graduation speech by President Obama.

"The White House is calling. Oh, my goodness. You get on the phone, it's almost too much to wrap your mind around. You're like, oh, my goodness," MAST Academy Principal Thomas Fisher said.

MAST students wrote and produced a video, which they submitted in February, and three senior girls pulled a few all-nighters to get the essay portion of the competition ready. "We started literally jumping up and down and screaming because it was really nice to know that all the hard work paid off," said Tosca Lichtenheld.

To be in line for the presidential seal of approval is a thrill for them all. MAST Academy teacher Lynn Paisley said, "Can you imagine what kind of a story to tell your grandchildren or your children, that you put together this application to have the President of the United States to come speak at your graduation."

Videos of all the finalists will soon go up on the White House's website, where the American people will vote for the top three. President Obama will choose the winner.

"If the president wants to come to see the best school in the United States, he'll be here to see us," Fisher said.

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