RMHS students, staff, and families were shocked and excited to receive news that the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, would be visiting the school. She made her appearance on Monday, November 14th to learn more about RMHS’s career pathway programs in accordance with National Apprenticeship Week. Biden was also joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. RMHS is incredibly proud to have welcomed these officials to the school.

“It was an honor to have someone that important in our school and an honor to have her come look at our career pathways and all the opportunities we have here,” senior Samantha McQueen said, a student in the education pathway.

With this visit, it is hoped that the opportunities here at RMHS can be made available to students across the nation.

“I’m so excited to be here today because this is one of the things that I think was Joe’s [Biden] vision,” Biden said. “I see how badly we need this, and how kids can start early and decide on what they want to do.”

One of the goals that the Biden administration has is to expand educational opportunities like those here at RMHS. As Biden said, career pathways are seen as an incredibly valuable and needed element that RMHS is so lucky to have. Students are able to learn and prepare for what they want to do in the future before they even start college. 

“We’re getting that extra readiness and we’re student teaching since sixteen years old,” senior Valeria Hernandez said, another student in the education pathway. “We’re one step ahead.” 

Biden spoke with multiple students who had the honor of sharing their experiences with the First Lady. One of the students was sophomore Kate Foley, who detailed her involvement in the engineering pathway. She described the opportunities she has gotten through this pathway, and how her teachers have inspired her. Biden seemed especially interested in Foley’s motivation from her teachers.

“My teachers have influenced my learning and interests in engineering through the fun projects that we do,” Foley said. “All these projects help inspire you to continue.”

Biden then visited RMHS’s engineering and manufacturing lab, where she spoke with more students and witnessed demonstrations of some of the things students have been building, including a hand-built high-mileage car and a student-made robot. Biden was even able to remote-control the robot. This demonstration showed how valuable career pathways are.

“We are setting the benchmark for improving pathways and career focus for students,” senior Ethan Salibio said, a student in the machining and aviation pathway who helped build the robot.

The First Lady’s visit didn’t last long, but during so RMHS was able to demonstrate the unique and valuable opportunities available at the school. Biden was able to hear firsthand accounts from students about the chances the school has given them, and the accomplishments they have achieved. It is truly a great honor for RMHS to be able to host Biden, Raimondo, Walsh, and Cordona. Hopefully, their visit can help to create similar career pathway programs and experiences for students all across the country, so every student can have the chances that those at RMHS have.

“Having career pathways in our school is so beneficial to students,” senior Gabriella Dieden said, a student in the education pathway. “We have so many opportunities to explore… to be prepared for our future careers.”

Education is undeniably so important, especially in preparing students for the future. RMHS is so thankful for being given the chance to help expand educational opportunities all around the country.

For other articles and information, see the links below:

ABC 7 Chicago

CBS News Chicago

Daily Herald

Fox News Chicago

Chicago Sun Times

Chicago Tribune

WGN Chicago

US Department of Education