United States ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice paid a visit to students at Truman High School, and encouraged the young people to consider careers in public service.
Rice visited students assembled in the school’s planetarium on Friday, September 16. She explained the role of the United Nations in shaping global affairs, her role as President Obama’s ambassador, and discussed current events taking place in distant countries including Libya, Palestine, and Israel. She also participated in a question and answer session with the students.
Rice has had an extraordinary opportunity to serve her country since being appointed United Nations ambassador, a sometimes frustrating and demanding job, she said.
“I have got to say that I love it and it is the greatest privilege that I have ever had,” Rice said to the students.
As they think about life after high school, the should consider opportunities that might give them careers in public service, Rice said.
“We need everyone of you to dream and do some big things,” Rice said. “I know many of you are applying to college, or thinking of applying to college, and I urge you to consider careers in public service.” The trip by Rice to Truman High School gave the students a first-hand look at someone who works with President Obama on a daily basis, said Congressman Joseph Crowley, who helped arrange the visit.
“Ambassador Rice is one of our nation’s finest diplomats and welcoming someone of her stature to Truman High School in the Bronx is a great honor,” Crowley said. “The students were engaged in our discussion and asked the ambassador a lot of great questions about the need to participate in community service and the need to take an active interest in the world around us.”
Ambassador Rice was as impressed by the students as they were with her, Crowley said. He also said that he hoped it was a valuable experience for the high school students.
Truman High School principal Sana Nasser thanked Crowley for being “a driving force” behind Rice’s visit to the school.
“Our students are from diverse backgrounds, and it is important that they recognize the many leaders in our community with whom they share similar backgrounds,” Nassar said. “Ambassador Rice is a successful and intelligent leader who has contributed a great deal to the global community. Today, our students saw that hard work, education, and pride in oneself will lead to an outstanding career that benefits both oneself and the world in which we live.”
