Could you imagine, the President of the United States giving the commencement address at your high school graduation? It could happen. The White House announced Friday the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. The contest invites public schools across the country to compete to have President Obama speak at their graduation this spring.

"Public schools that encourage systemic reform and embrace effective approaches to teaching and learning help prepare America's students to graduate ready for college and a career, and enable them to out-compete any worker, anywhere in the world," said President Obama in a video released today. "This is your opportunity to show me why your school exemplifies the best that our education system has to offer."

At the beginning of the school year, the President encouraged students across the country to take responsibility for their education, study hard and graduate from high school. The Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge encourages schools to show how they are making great strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness.

Governor Bob Riley signed and submitted Alabama's application for $180 million in federal grant money earlier this year. Riley says the money is needed to help the cash-strapped Education Trust Fund Budget. However, Alabama may not get any of the federal loot because it's starting out 40 points behind in competition with other states.

For more information about the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, follow this link:

www.WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement