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Campaign stop puts John Marshall in spotlight (video)

CMSD NEWS BUREAU

8/17/2016 
 

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton sang the praises of John Marshall’s unique school models and its talented students during a campaign stop on Wednesday.

Students and District Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon got face time with the candidate as they gave her a tour and showed off some of the state-of-the-art technology being used in classrooms.

Rochell Bradley, an 11th-grader at the John Marshall School of Information Technology, was one of the students who met Clinton on her tour. John Marshall also has schools of engineering and civic and business leadership.

 
Rochell showed Clinton a robot that she and her classmates built in an engineering class and told the candidate of her dream to become a veterinarian. The students explained the robot's motion sensors, prompting Clinton to stick out her foot and cause the robot to change direction.

“It was excellent. I loved it,” Rochell said. “She asked if it was hard making the robots. I told her it’s going to be hard at first, but once you start picking up what you have to do, it will get easier.”

In another classroom, a student helped Clinton start up a 3-D model on the school’s 3-D printer.

Briynaka Rizal, also in 11th grade at the IT school, said she was nervous meeting Clinton.

“She asked us questions about why we chose the school of IT, and I said, 'Since it is going to be the future, we need to learn to use this technology,' " Rizal said.

Gordon explained to Clinton CMSD’s portfolio system, which offers innovative and different options for students as part of The Cleveland Plan for reforming public education in the city.


Following the tour, Clinton spoke to an audience of students and the public in the school gym, bolstering her speech about reviving the American economy with examples of what she saw on the tour.

“I saw the future,” Clinton said. “The students and teachers who showed me what they’re doing here in robotics, in 3D design, in laser design, in entrepreneurial and civic education. I for one am really proud of this high school and what it represents for students here.”

State Sen. Michael Skindell was among the Ohio Democratic politicians who greeted the crowd. Skindell, who hails from Lakewood, said his mother graduated from John Marshall 65 years ago, and he called the school an important part of Cleveland’s history.

Sarah Kidner, principal of the John Marshall School of Civic and Business Leadership, said she was thrilled to showcase unique programs and student projects, including the student-run Lawyers' Cafe coffee shop.

“We were really excited to have her comment on what we’re doing to prepare students for the future," Kidner said.