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By Sloane Sturzenegger
Senior, Sacred Heart Preparatory
It isn’t every day that a former vice president speaks at a high school. Tuesday, Oct. 4 , was one of those days.
Al Gore — Nobel laureate, Oscar winner, and environmental activist — visited Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, and spoke to an audience of 700 students, faculty, and distinguished guests.
Mr. Gore was introduced by his friend Ray Lane, a Sacred Heart Schools parent. Mr. Lane and Mr. Gore work together on the Kleiner Perkins “Green Tech Fund,” which has had much success promoting environmental sustainability. Mr. Lane’s heartfelt personal introduction lightened the mood and set the standard for an engaging, interesting discourse.
Mr. Gore’s remarks to the students, who ranged from eighth- to 12th-graders, focused on global climate change and what young people can do to help. He urged the student body to be “leaders of change” who work to promote ethical choices. He added that while most students cannot vote, they can participate in the fight against global warming by making adults question their beliefs on global warming, how they vote, what resources they use, and what businesses they purchase goods from.
Mr. Gore emphasized the difference between “the hard right and the easy wrong” and the consequences that can come from cutting corners.
Our biggest problem today, Mr. Gore said, is that many aspects of our society are accepted just because “they’ve always been that way.” Youth brings a unique perspective: one open and receptive to change. It is the job of the young people to question unethical, non-environmental aspects of our society and to ask adults, “Why do we do that?” By working as a whole, students can force our leaders to reevaluate out-of-date ideas and customs.
After 45 minutes, Mr. Gore concluded his address and opened the floor to questions from the audience. Questions ranged from “Will you run for president again?” to a philosophical discussion about motivation and leadership. Much of the half-hour Q&A session focused on global warming, its projected effects, and what students can do to protect the environment.
Before leaving the stage, Mr. Gore closed by saying, “The character of an individual, of a nation, and ultimately of the human spirit is being tested today,” referring to the declining state of the environment. He maintained that businesses and individuals are doing their part, but each person can always do more. Mostly, Mr. Gore argued, society lacks a commitment from the government to take an environmentally friendly path. “But after all,” he said, “government commitment is a renewable resource.”
Students reacted positively to the presentation. Sophomore Lauren Mohrman said, “Hearing his advice about making a difference really spoke out to me. Having someone you don’t see everyday tell you that you can make a change really makes you believe that you can!”
Senior Andrew Liotta described the speech as “very impressive and well articulated. He presented his key ideas in a comprehensive and honest manner.” Most students were very excited in the days leading up to the event.
Mr. Gore certainly didn’t disappoint. “I’m really glad I had the opportunity to hear the vice president speak. It’s an experience I won’t forget,” said Andrew.
In addition to Al Gore, Sacred Heart Schools has invited several other guests during the Excellence Series, a program that prompts discussion and debate through thought-provoking lectures and speeches. Featured last year were Emmy-winning songwriter Peter Buffet and Senior Advisor to Google Omid Kordestani.
For more information on the Excellence Series, contact Millie Lee at mlee@shschools.org.
The author of this story, Sloane Sturzenegger, is a senior at Sacred Heart Preparatory, where he serves as a co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper.
Mr. Sturzenegger,
Did you ask Mr. Gore if he has any involvement with Solyndra. A good reporter covers both sides and asks provactive questions. Also, how much was he paid to speak ?
I would hope this school would present both sides of the global warming debate. In Britain, the Court of London ruled that showing his documentary “Inconvenient Truth” to schoolchildren violated the Education Act because it was nothing more than political indoctrination. The court also found nine factual errors in his film. I don’t know if Gore is continuing to repeat those errors in his talks today, but there is a large number of scientists willing to give the other side of the story.
Mr. Gore has no science background and seems to be making a fortune on his speaking engagements. I would not be suprised if somehow he is involved in Solyndra. It would have been nice to have a season reporter cover the story as young kids are intimidated to ask questions.
Kudos to Sacred Heart Prep for arranging for such an important speaker to address their older students. The day was for the students and it was enlightening to see how one of them, the editor of the school newspaper, reported on the program. From the jist of the article, it appears as if Mr. Gore’s presence was a favor to a friend who was also a SHP parent. Exposing our younger citizens to ideas is important because it opens their minds to different thoughts and encourages them to make up their own mind about important issues.
You must present both sides in order to give young kids a chance to make an informed decision. Mr. Gore has no business discussing Science…it would have been nice to have a scientist present this information. Sounds like he is trying to brainwash our youth as quoted from the article Mr. Gore stated “He added that while most students cannot vote, they can participate in the fight against global warming by making adults question their beliefs on global warming, how they vote, what resources they use, and what businesses they purchase goods from.” Sounds like he is trying to get the kids to influence their parents.
…”the Court of London ruled that showing his documentary “Inconvenient Truth” to schoolchildren violated the Education Act because it was nothing more than political indoctrination…”
WRONG WRONG WRONG and a simple google search proves it.
Climate change deniers really need to stop watching Fox.
“Describing the documentary as ‘a powerful, dramatically presented and highly professionally produced film’, Mr Justice Burton said it was built round the ‘charismatic presence’ of the ex vice president ‘whose crusade it now is to persuade the world of the dangers of climate change caused by global warming’.
But he said it might be necessary for the Government to make clear to teaching staff that some of Mr Gore’s views were not supported or promoted by the Government, and there was ‘a view to the contrary’.
Agreeing that Mr Gore’s film was ‘broadly accurate’ on the subject of climate change, he found that errors had arisen in ‘the context of alarmism and exaggeration’.”
So it appears a judge ALLOWS the film, though the judge, while not a scientist (like the posters above) feels entitled to call the film “alarmist.”
Mr Gore: thanks for taking the time out of your busy day and spending it with students.
Considering this was such a great event, you would have thought that the article would have been more intriguing but instead I wanted to fall asleep half way through! Where have all of the good journalists gone? Al Gore deserves better coverage than this. I wish he would have spoken at a public school though instead of Sacred Heart, but then again, people are too brainwashed with money. This article is right about one thing, it is time for CHANGE!
Now you know why people call Al Gore “AL BORE”. I would like to know how much this school paid for his talk. He would have had given his speech for free at a public school. Al Gore has gotten rich off his global warming. He should donate all the money he has made to charity. The man has no business talking on this issue. kid from a high school should have not been assigned to this. My kids told me the speech was so boring and that Mr. Gore looked very unhealthy as he appeared quite heavy. The questions posed seemed like they were plants. Let’s keep politics out of our schools.
“Al Gore has gotten rich off his global warming.”
No. Again, more fox inspired falsehoods. Look it up. He made a fortune off of google stock.
“He should donate all the money he has made to charity”
He did donate all the proceeds to charity. He has been SO SUCCESSFUL with google, various boards, Current and more that he has donated tremendous mounts of money to non-profits, including all the proceeds form the book and movie.
Quit the hatin’!!! Turn off the fox, beck, limpbaugh, etc..
Is he boring? Perhaps. Are many adults boring to kids? Of course. Sorry your child couldn’t rise above his/her teenage angst against adults, particularly Gore.
Wonder what lie-filled source your child learned it from?
Where Gore has made money:
“Al Gore is the co-founder and chair of Generation Investment Management, the co-founder and chair of Current TV, a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Inc., and a senior adviser to Google. Gore is also a partner in the venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers”
Partners in any of those ventures don’t require book royalties to support themselves.
Enough from this JT character. JT time to take a deep breath and drink a glass of wine and relax. Life is too short to be so angry. As for the young writer of the article…it is not his fault that an unexperienced boy was put in charge of this task. Kudos for trying.
“How did he manage to fit through the gate?”
“I just want to know if they served Kool-Aid before his presentation.”
“Now you know why people call Al Gore “AL BORE”.”
“Sounds like he is trying to brainwash our youth …
“I would not be suprised if somehow he is involved in Solyndra.”
The false statement: “the Court of London ruled that showing his documentary violated the Education Act…” (it didn’t!)
Did you ask Mr. Gore if he has any involvement with Solyndra.
– – – – – – – – – – – –
The loony right can’t stand the facts!
– every government science panel convened by industrialized countries affirms climate change. 90 percent of scientists do not dispute climate change. Of those denying change, a large number are funded by oil companies (Exxon and Koch Industries)
– Al Gore was not involved with Solyndra
– Al Gore is a phenomenally successful investor
“How did he manage to fit through the gate?”
“Stay Classy, Atherton”
The press was kept out so that he could not be asked any questions with substance. He spoke to kids and they are not going to ask the hard questions. The only press was the a kid reporter from the school newspaper.
JT take the advise of others “chill-out”, Al Gore could care less about you. You are going to make yourself ill trying to defend Mr. Gore.
All Gore is old news….lets move on.
I am very impressed that a high school student took on the challenge of writing this article. And for all the people who are angry that professionals did not cover this, it might help to know that it was not open to the press. You should be happy to be hearing about this at all. I would like to see any of you people write an article for the almanac. This high school student just did something that most of you have never done nor will ever do in your life, so give him some respect.
I always enjoyed reading “Miles Files” and “Katie’s Corner” in The Almanac. Young people should be encouraged to write. So let’s not be too hard on this young person, nice first article Mr. Schwarzenegger!
Eric: “You are going to make yourself ill trying to defend Mr. Gore. ”
Not at all and could really not give a hoot about the man – I disagree with him on a number of things.
What gives me great pleasure is debunking the right wing echo chamber’s lies about him and others (ie.. he never did say he “invented” the net, but for grins, see Vint “father of the internet” Cerf’s comments about Gore’s contributions – http://www.politechbot.com/p-01394.html ) Also the snopes: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp
So many ignoramuses repeat the fox lies, like about the alleged internet claim, that it is rather amusing to blow up their little fallacy bubbles. (gotta love the “Love Story” lie, too!)
Indeed, it does not make me ill, but thanks, I appreciate your concern.
This young student did a fine job reporting on this event. For those who blast that no official media didn’t report on it, so you know, media was not allowed to this event. You all missed the whole point of his talk to the students: it was to inspire them to be leaders in their community, and to believe in their convictions and to act on what you believe is the right thing to do, regardless wheter its global warming or some other issue. Let’s continue to motivate our kids to be outstanding and responsible citizens and take responsiblity for their futures.
As a writer for the Almanac since 5th grade for “Katie’s Corner”, I have never seen such discouragement as I have seen in these comments. The Almanac is not meant to be a political forum but instead it is meant to foster and celebrate the community! If someone had wrote these hurtful comments to me as a 10 year old, I would have felt completely distraught. I agree that we should encourage young people to write. Sloane is one of my classmates and I know that he would not mean to on purpose only represent one side. He was only writing what he was told. So, good job Sloane on your efforts to enter the field of journalism! Usually, it is not this malicious, so do not let these critiques get to you! There will always be adversity to those achieving their dreams.
Cindy: If you are wondering about “Miles Files”, I actually went on a religious pilgrimage to Lourdes with him and many others back in July. He is doing well at Cornell and still remembers his days writing for the Almanac. As for me, the next article for “Katie’s Corner” will be published hopefully in the next few weeks! I had taken a break for a few months in order to complete the final details of my online business, Cute As A Cupcake. If you are interested, you can visit my website at http://www.cuteasacupcake.biz . I did not want to publish any articles that I had not worked full heartedly on, but now that my business is up and running, I will go back to my monthly columns.
So please, let us stop trying to tear each other down (and I mean this from people arguing both sides!) and move on with our lives and try to lift up our community instead of tearing each other down!
Well said Katie.
Good Job to Sloane, thank you for taking YOUR time to share this story with us.
As you can see there is no shortage of critics in this world. Most of them do not even identify themselves which is more reason to ignore.
Best to you
Who, what, where, when, why…. the basics of reporting. I’m sure Sloane was asked to report on the event itself with just the facts, not an indepth investigative magazine piece about Al Gore and global warming and all of its supporters and detractors. Support kids in their dreams, not meanly and blindly criticize them.
Sloane, thank you for your article. Part of being a reporter is putting yourself out there and as they say above, there are no shortages of opinions. Keep doing what you’re doing, don’t let these negative naysayers affect what you do or think.
“A Parent” was right on. And so were Kathryn B’s comments. Professor Jones, thanks for your comments.
My kids saw Gore’s movie at SHP, but also had debates about BOTH sides of the issues. So, unless you know the whole story about an event, don’t be so quick to criticize. And as for the young journalist, great job!! Keep up the good work!
I think that his quote from one of the students summed up the speech very nicely: “Students reacted positively to the presentation. Sophomore Lauren Mohrman said, “Hearing his advice about making a difference really spoke out to me. Having someone you don’t see everyday tell you that you can make a change really makes you believe that you can!”
If this is what kids took away, what’s so bad about that???!!!
I agree Kathyn B. made a great point. We should not be tearing each other down.
I also enjoyed the young writers columns “Miles Files” and “Katie’s Corner”. We have very talented young people in our community. To the young boy who covered this event “practice makes perfect” so keep writing and ignore the negative comments!