Remarks by the President at Worcester Technical High School Commencement Ceremony

来源: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/06/11/

[1] THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you!  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Please, everybody, be seated.  Good afternoon.  (Applause.)  It is great to be back in Massachusetts, and it is great to be here at Worcester Tech.  (Applause.)  

[2] I want to thank Reggie for that outstanding introduction.  (Applause.)  I want to thank Naomi for those inspiring words.  (Applause.)  I want to thank your outstanding, fabulous principal, Sheila Harrity, who has done so much to make this school a success.  (Applause.)  Let me just say, when you’re the National High School Principal of the Year, you’re doing something right.  There are a lot of principals out there, and we could not be prouder of what she’s doing. 

[3] I want to thank your Mayor, Joseph Petty; your outstanding Governor and a great friend of mine, Deval Patrick; wonderful Congressman, Jim McGovern.  (Applause.)  And most of all, I want to thank the class of 2014.  (Applause.)  Thank you for allowing me to be part of your special day.  And you all look great.  And I want to thank all the parents and all the grandparents, and the family and the friends —— this is your day, too.  Part of the reason I’m here is because I’ve got to practice, because Malia is graduating in two years.  So I’m trying to get used to not choking up and crying and embarrassing her.  So this is sort of my trial run here.

译文：我要感谢你们的市长,约瑟夫•佩蒂;你们杰出的州长,也是我很好的朋友,德瓦尔•帕特里克;优秀的国会议员,吉姆•麦克葛文.最重要的,我要感谢2014届的毕业生.感谢你们允许我加入你们这特殊的一天.你们看上去都非常精神.我要感谢所有的父母以及祖父母,你们的家人和朋友们——这也是你们特别的一天.你知道的,我来到这里的部分原因,是因为我要来练习一下,因为玛丽亚要在两年后毕业.所以我尽量不要让她感到哽咽无语,让她哭,让她尴尬.所以这是我在这里的彩排.
trial run 试行，试驾
—— This year is a trial run for the new service, before it is officially introduced in 2018.

[4] I have to say, I do not remember my high school graduation speaker.  I have no idea who it was.  (Laughter.)  I’m sure I was thinking about the party after graduation.  (Applause.)  I don’t remember the party either.  (Laughter.)  I’m just telling the truth here.  You will remember the speaker at this graduation because there’s a lot of Secret Service around, not because of anything that I say that’s so inspiring. 

[5] But I know this day has been a long time coming.  Together, you made it through freshman initiation.  You survived Mr. O’Connor’s English class, which I understand is pretty tough.  (Applause.)  Everybody has got to have, like, a Mr. O’Connor in their life just to kind of straighten you out.  And now it’s the big day —— although I notice that none of you are wearing your IDs.  Rumor has it some of you haven’t been wearing them for years.  (Laughter.)  Today I’m exercising my power as President and granting an official pardon for all of you who did not follow the rules there.  Consider it my graduation gift to you.

译文：但我知道这一天已经等了很久了.你们从新生开始,一起走到了现在.你们从奥康纳先生的英语课中幸存下来.在我理解看来,它非常枯燥.每个人都曾经在他们的生命中有,比如奥康纳先生,他只是让你理解清楚一些事情.现在是个大日子——虽然我注意到你们中没有人带着你们的证件.据说你们中一些人已经有几年时间不带着它们了.今天,我在行使我作为总统的权力,给予你们中那些不守规则的那些人一个官方的谅解.把它当成我给你们的毕业礼物.
inspiring   a.  鼓舞人心的
initiation  [in·i·ti·a·tion || ɪ‚nɪʃɪ'eɪʃn] n.  开始, 创始; 入会, 加入; 开始实施;
straighten  ['streitn] vt.  弄直, 整顿, 清理, 使改正 vi.  直起来, 改正, 好转
initiation fee入会费，
straighten sb out   改善行为
I thought that once he got married that would straighten him out.
straighten sth⇔out 有解决处理的意思。
There are some mistakes in your paper. Straighten them out, please.你的文章里有一些错误,请改过去。
To grant a general pardon to. 赦免,大赦对…实行特赦

[6] I know a lot of folks watching at home today will see all of you in your caps and your gowns and they’ll think, well, maybe this is just another class of graduates at another American high school.  But I’m here today because there is nothing ordinary about Worcester Tech or the Class of 2014. You have set yourselves apart. This high school has set itself apart. 

[7] Over the past four years, some of you have learned how to take apart an engine and put it back together again.  Some of you have learned how to run a restaurant, or build a house, or fix a computer.  And all of you are graduating today not just with a great education, but with the skills that will let you start your careers and skills that will make America stronger.

[8] Together, you’re an example of what’s possible when we stop just talking about giving young people opportunity, when we don’t just give lip service to helping you compete in the global economy and we actually start doing it.  That’s what’s happening right here in Worcester.  And that’s why I’m here today.  I mean, I like all of you, and I’m glad to be with you, but the thing I really want to do is make sure that what we’ve learned here at this high school we can lift up for the entire nation. I want the nation to learn from Worcester Tech.  (Applause.)   

give lip service：嘴上说说，耍嘴皮子
译文：你们作为一个整体，就是活生生的例子，我们不再仅是随便谈谈给年轻人机遇，我们不再仅仅是随口说说要帮助年轻人获取社会竞争力，在伍斯特高中，我们就在做这件事。这也是我今天为什么会来这里的原因，我喜欢你们，喜欢和你们一起，但是我更想做的是把我们在这学到的东西能推举到整个美国。我想让整个国家都向伍斯特学习。

[9] Of course, your journey is just beginning.  Take a look around at all the smiles from the parents and the grandparents and all the family members.  Everything your families have done has been so that you could pursue your dreams, so that you could fulfill your potential.  Everybody here has a story of some sacrifice that’s been made on your behalf.  And whether you’re heading to college, or the military, or starting your career, you’re not going to be able to take them with you now.  Some of your moms and dads probably wish they could hang onto you a little bit longer.  Some of you, maybe they’re ready to get rid of you.  (Laughter.)  Regardless, though, you are now entering into a stage where it’s up to you.  And what you can do is remember some of the lessons that you’ve learned here and carry them with you, wherever you’re going.

译文：当然,你们的旅程刚刚开始.看一下你周围的父母,祖父母和所有家人的笑容.你家人做的所有事情,因此,你可以追逐自己的梦想,因此,你可以充分发挥你的潜力.在场的每个人都有做出牺牲的故事,代表着你自己的故事.不管你是否要进入大学,参军,或者开启职业生涯,现在你将不能再带着它们.一些你们的爸爸妈妈可能希望他们能够继续和你们一起更长一点儿时间.你们中的一些人,可能他们已经准备好摆脱你们.无论如何,不管怎样,你们现在进入了一个由你决定的阶段.你可以做的事情是,牢记你在这里学到的一些事情,带着它们和你一起上路,无论你将要去哪里.
sacrifice  ['sækrifais] n.  牺牲, 供奉, 祭品 vt.  牺牲, 祭祀, 贱卖 vi.  献祭
get rid of you：摆脱

[10] And I want to talk about three of those lessons, a couple of which have already been mentioned by the previous speakers. 

[11] First of all, I want you to remember that each of us is only here because somebody somewhere invested in our success.  (Applause.)  Somebody invested in us.  I know that’s true for me.  I was raised by a single mom with the help of my grandparents.  We didn’t have a lot of money growing up.  At times, we struggled.  When my mom was going to school at the same time as she was raising my sister and me, we had to scrape to get by.

译文：首先,我想你们应该牢记我们每一个人在这里的唯一原因,是因为有些人在一些地方在我们的成功上进行了投资.一些人在我们身上进行了投资.我知道这对我来说就是事实.我被一个单亲妈妈在外祖父母的帮助下抚养成人.在我成长过程中,我们没有太多钱.你知道的,在那时,我们努力着.当我妈妈在抚养我和妹妹的同时又要去学校学习的时候,我们不得不东拼西凑。
scrape to get by是勉强度日

[12] But we had a family who loved me and my sister.  And I had teachers who cared about me.  And ultimately, with the help of a community and a country that supported me, I was able to get a good education.  And I was able to get grants and student loans, and opportunities opened up.  And all of this happened because people saw something in me that I didn’t always see in myself.  And that’s not just true for me, that’s true for Michelle, who grew up the daughter of a blue-collar worker and a mom who stayed at home and then became a secretary —— never went to college themselves. 

ultimately  ad.  最后, 最终

[13] That's true for Duval, who grew up initially on the South Side of Chicago and didn't have a lot, and somebody reached out and gave him a hand up. 

[14] It’s true of this city.  This is a town that's always been home to smart people with big ideas.  The Mayor mentioned Robert Goddard, the father of the modern rocket.  He was born here, performed some of the earliest tests on rocketry.

[15] But Worcester has also prepared its workers for the jobs that those big ideas would bring.  And that’s why they opened a technical school here more than a century ago —— with a class of 29 ironworkers and 23 woodworkers.  And that school became Worcester Tech.

[16] Along the way, the economy changed.  Innovation made it possible for businesses to do more with less.  The Internet meant they could do it anywhere.  Schools like this were finding it harder to prepare students with the skills that businesses were looking for. 

译文：一路走来，经济大环境变化了，创新使得企业以少或多成为可能，互联网也让他们摆脱了地域限制，可以随时随地的工作。那么学校也渐渐发现，培养出这些企业需要的技术人才更难了。
innovation  [,inәu'veiʃәn] n.  改革, 创新

[17] And then a guy named Ted Coghlin came along.  (Applause.)  And Ted is known as the “godfather” of Worcester Tech, because about 10 years ago he set out to make this school what he knew it could be —— a place where businesses train new workers, and young people get the keys to a brighter future.

[18] And he put his heart and soul into it. And eventually, that’s what happened. Ted helped raise money for a new building —— and the state and federal government chipped in, as well.  And businesses helped create everything from an auto service center to a bank right inside the school.  And top-notch teachers got on board —— led by Principal Harrity and the assistant principals here, and an outstanding superintendent.  And before long, Worcester Tech was on its way to becoming one of the best schools in this city.

译文：他一心一意地扑在这件事情上.最后,这就是发生的事情.泰德帮助筹集了新教学楼的资金——州和联邦政府也进行了捐助.企业帮助建立了一系列的设施,从汽车服务中心,到在校园里的银行.一流的师资力量也就位了——在海瑞蒂校长,副校长们以及优秀管理团队的领导下.不久以后,伍斯特技术中学逐渐成为这个城市中最好的学校之一.
chip in  插嘴, 捐助, 下注
top-notch  a.  最高质量的
principal  ['prinsipәl] n.  校长, 首长, 本金, 主犯, 资本, 委托人 a.  主要的, 最重要的, 首要的
superintendent  ‚suːpə(r)ɪntəndənt]n.  监督人, 监管者; 警长; 主管, 负责人; 警官

[19] And today, so many students want to come to Worcester Tech that there’s a waiting list more than 400 names long. The number of students scoring “proficient” or “advanced” in math has gone up 100 percent; in English more than 200 percent.  (Applause.)  Ninety-five percent of students now graduate in four years.

[20] And just as impressive, many of you are leaving here with more than a diploma.  You’re already certified as nursing assistants and EMTs and home health aides and preparing to become IT associates.  (Applause.)  And with the credits that you’ve earned, some of you are already on your way to a college diploma.  And as Ted said, “Our students deserve the best so we can help them become the best —— for their future and ours.”

proficient  [prә'fiʃәnt] n.  高手, 专家 a.  精通的, 熟练的
certified  ['sә:tifaid]a.  证明合格的
EMT急救医疗技术员emergency medical technicians
associate  [ә'sәuʃieit] n.  同伴, 伙伴, 关联的事物vt.  使联合, vi.  交往
credit  ['kredit] n.  信用, 信任, 荣誉, 贷款, 学分 vt.  归功于, 赞颂, 信任, 相信

[21] The point is, a lot of people made an investment in you. I can't imagine a better investment. But as you experience your success and as you experience setbacks, you need to remember everything that's been put into making sure that you had opportunity.  Which brings me to the second thing I hope you remember when you leave here:  You’re going to also have to give back. This community invested in you.  You’ve got to make sure that you use those gifts. 

setback  ['setbæk] n.  挫折, 退步, 逆流
community  [kә'mju:niti] n.  社区, 公众, 共有, 共同体

[22] When my Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, came to Worcester Tech earlier this year, he said he had never seen a school more open.  If you live near the school, you can come in and get your car detailed for a fraction of what it would cost someplace else.  So I’m giving a little free advertising to the detailing operation here.  (Laughter.)  You can eat a meal cooked by students in the culinary arts program.  (Applause.)  One teacher called the hair salon the “city’s best kept secret.”  (Applause.)  Your veterinary clinic cares for about 250 pets a month, so I could have brought Bo and Sunny here.  (Laughter.)  You guys would have taken care of them.

译文：当我的教育部长,阿恩•邓肯,今年早些时候来到伍斯特技术中学,他说他从未见到过一个如此开放的学校.如果你居住在学校附近,你可以进入校园,对你的车进行某一小部件的详细检查,而在其他地方这可能是收费的.所以我要对这里的详细车检做一点儿免费广告.你可以品尝由厨艺项目学生烹饪的大餐.一个老师把这的美发店称作”城市里最棒的秘境”.你们的兽医诊所每月大约救治250只宠物,所以我可以把波和桑尼带来.你们可以很好的照料它们.
get your car detailed是给汽车做护理，做保养，清洗的意思。
culinary arts烹饪艺术
hair salon美发沙龙
veterinary clinic cares兽医诊所

[23] So Worcester Tech isn’t separate from the broader community.  You’re a vital part of the community.  So part of what you’ve learned here is that we are at our best, we are strongest when we are working together and when we’re looking out for one another and we have responsibilities towards each other, and all of us have contributions to make.  You’re giving back to folks who gave you so much.  And whatever you do next, I hope you keep giving back. That may mean staying in Worcester and working for one of the companies that helped train you.  If it means going to college or the military, or using your skills to help more students get the same opportunities that you’ve had here, no matter what it is that you do, no matter what path you take, I want to make sure that you understand the incredible leadership that we now expect from you.

[24] I understand that every year at exam time, you hear from a motivational speaker.  And one of them this year was Colin Powell, because when you’re getting ready to take a test，it never hurts to get a pep talk from a general.  (Laughter.)  But the best part is that you decide to do the same thing for younger kids.  So this class —— those of you in the National Honor Society —— rolled out the red carpet for students at nearby Chandler Elementary.  And so those younger kids left here feeling fired up, inspired by your example —— looking up to you, imagining that they could do what you did.  And they’re going to keep on looking up to you. 

译文：我明白,每年的考试时间,你会听励志演说家的演讲.今年的其中一位是科林•鲍威尔,因为当你们准备好参加考试,听一个将军的精神喊话绝对不会受到伤害.但更好的部分是,你决定为你的小孩子做相同的事情.所以这一届毕业生——在美国国家荣誉生行列中的你们——为在附近的钱德勒小学学生铺上了红毯.因此,那些年轻的小孩子们离开这里感到兴奋极了,被你们的榜样所激励——看着你们,想象着他们可以做你们已经做到的.他们将继续向着你们的方向前进.
culinary  ['kʌlinәri] a.  厨房的, 烹调用的
veterinary  ['vetrɪnrɪ]n.  兽医 adj.  医牲畜的, 兽医的
contribution  [,kɒntri'bju:ʃәn] n.  捐助, 捐助之物, 贡献
motivational  [,mәuti'veiʃәnәl] a.  激发性的
pep  [pep] n.  活力, 锐气, 气力v.  鼓起精神, 激励
pep talk  鼓励士气的讲话; 加油打气的谈话
The coach gave the team a pep talk before the big game.大赛之前,教练向队员讲话,给他们打气。
Auto detailing 汽车美容护理
motivational speaker励志演说家
fired up    兴奋起来

[25] And there are going to be people across the country who are watching you.  And when they see you succeed, when they see you working hard, when they see you overcoming setbacks —— that’s going to inspire them as well. 

[26] And that brings me to my final point, which is I hope you leave here today believing that if you can make it, then there shouldn’t be any kid out here who can’t make it.  (Applause.)  Every child in America, no matter what they look like, or where they grow up, what their last name is —— there’s so much talent out there.  And every single child —— as Ted understood when he helped transform this school —— every single child should have the opportunity like you have had to go as far as your talents and hard work will take you.  I’ve seen you do it, so we know it’s possible. 

[27] Now, it’s a challenging time.  I think sometimes I worry that your generation has grown up in a cynical time —— in the aftermath of a Great Recession, in the aftermath of two wars.  We live in a culture that so often focuses on conflict and controversy and looks at the glass half empty instead of half full.  And you’re graduating at a time when you’ll no longer be competing just with people across town for good jobs, you’re going to be competing with the rest of the world. 

译文：当下,是一个挑战的时代.有时候,我想我担忧你们这一代在愤世嫉俗的时代中长大——在大萧条的余波中,在两场战争的硝烟之后.我们生活在一个这样的文化环境中,如此频繁地关注于冲突和争议,看到杯子一半是空的,而不是满了一半.你们在这样的时候毕业,你将不会在和这个城镇的人竞争好工作,你们要和剩下的整个世界去竞争.
cynical  ['sinikәl] a.  愤世嫉俗的, 讽刺的, 冷嘲的
aftermath  ['ɑ:ftәmæθ] n.  结果, 后果
recession  [ri'seʃәn] n.  后退, 凹处, 衰退, 归还 [经] 经济衰退
controversy  ['kɒntrәvә:si] n.  论争, 辩论, 论战, 争论
词义辨析
conflict and controversy ：Conflict中文意思是矛盾冲突，指双方坚持己见，互不妥协，有时甚至用言语无法解决只能诉诸武力，controversy往往指的双方的争论，争辩。所以说什么事情引发争议我们用arouse controversy.

[28] But when I meet young people like you I am absolutely certain we are not just going to out-compete the rest of the world, we are going to win because of you.  Because we are Americans, that's what we do. We don't settle. We outwork. We out-innovate. We out-hustle the competition. And when we do, nobody can beat us.

译文：但当我见到像你们一样的年轻人,我完全确定我们不仅仅将和世界其他地区竞争,因为你们,我们将赢得竞争.因为我们是美国人,这就是我们所做的.我们不沉沦.我们努力工作.我们在创新.在竞争中,我们做得更快.当我们做了,没有人可以战胜我们.
out-compete 胜过
——But I refuse to cut investments like clean energy that will help us out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world.但我不同意削减掉对清洁能源领域的投资，这些将帮助我们在创新和竞争中超越其他国家。,

[29] And that's what you’ve shown at this school —— not just helping a few kids go as far as their hard work will take them.  I want all of you to be part of the process of helping all our young people achieve their God-given potential.  And as President, my job is to make sure every child in America gets that chance.  And Deval Patrick’s job is to make sure that everybody in the Commonwealth指美国马萨诸塞州gets that chance.  And the Mayor, his focus is making sure everybody in this town gets that chance.  Every community is different.  But if Worcester can bring teachers and business and entire communities together for the sake of our young people, then other places can, too.

译文：这就是你们在这所学校所表现出来的——不仅仅是帮助一些孩子靠他们的努力走得更远.我想你们所有人投身于这一事业,帮助我们所有的年轻人发挥上帝赐予的潜能.作为总统,我的工作就是确保每一个美国孩子都能够获得这样的机会.德瓦尔•帕特里克的工作就是确保每一个联邦的人都能够获得这样的机会.市长,他所关注的就是确保在这个城镇的每一个人都能够获得这样的机会.每一个社区都是不同的.但如果伍斯特能够将教师,企业和整个社区一起为了我们年轻人的利益走在一起,那么其他地方同样也能够做到.

[30] And that's why I’ve challenged high schools all across the country to do what you’re doing here —— better prepare students for the demands of the global economy.  We’re getting started this year with a competition that pairs schools and employers and colleges to combine quality education with real-world skills. 

[31] As part of that initiative, I launched something called ConnectED, working with the private sector to connect America’s students to high-speed broadband and advanced technology, just like you’ve got here at Worcester Tech.  Already, companies have committed to donate $2 billion to this effort.  And starting later this week, schools and teachers and students will be able to go to WhiteHouse.gov and access resources in time for the new school year —— because I want to encourage more schools to do what you’re doing.  You’ve set a standard.  You’ve set a bar.  More schools can do it across the country.  (Applause.)

译文：作为这个倡议的一部分，我发起了connectED的项目，与私营企业合作把高科技带入学校，就像你们伍斯特一样。这些合作企业也向我们提交了多达20亿美元的善款，用于推行这一项目。从本周末开始，大家就可以访问Whitehouse.gov及时获取资源。因为我要鼓励更多的学校向你们学习。你们就是标杆。
commonwealth  n.  国民整体; 联邦; 共和国
commit  [kә'mit] vt.  委托(托付), 犯罪, 指派...作战, 使承担义务
donate  ['dәuneit] vt.  捐赠 vi.  捐赠
saddle  ['sædl] n.马鞍, 车座, 鞍状物 vt.  装以马鞍, 使负担 vi.  跨上马鞍
set a bar 设门槛，立标杆

[32] If you’re going to college, I also want to make sure that when you graduate you don't have a mountain of debt.  So we’re not only working to make college more affordable, we’re working to help more students pay back their loans that they take out when they go to college.  It is not fair to students who do everything right to get saddled with debt that they have to pay off not just for years, but in some cases decades.  We can do better than that. 

译文：如果你要进入大学,我也想确保,当你毕业时,你不会有堆积如山的债务.所以我们不仅致力于让大学变得可负担,我们也在帮助更多的学生支付他们的进入大学时申请的贷款.这是不公平的,让做了正确事情的学生们因债务问题而沮丧.这些债务让他们不得不花数年时间去偿还,甚至有些时候是几十年.我们可以比这做得更好.
做什么事情对某人说不公平的：it is not fair/unfair to sb to do sth
It is not fair to kids to be giving them just half of your attention.只花一半的心思在孩子身上对她们而言是不公平的。
be saddled with:就是一个固定词组，把任务或责任强加在某人身上 ；使负担
—— I've been saddled with the children all day. Let's go out tonight.

[33] And even though they had votes and they couldn’t make it, I want to give a plug to a couple people.  Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman John Tierney, both from Massachusetts, who introduced bills that would make it easier for students to repay their student loans. 
give sth. a plug/ give a plug to sth为某事作宣传
——They're really here to plug their new album.

[34] It’s the same idea we used to make it easier for your parents to pay off their mortgages.  Now today, that idea was defeated by Republicans in Congress, which was frustrating, especially –
mortgage  ['mɒ:gidʒ] n.  抵押, 约束性义务, 抵押借款 vt.  抵押, 以...作担保, 把...许给
AUDIENCE:  Booo ——

[35] THE PRESIDENT:  Well, don't boo.  Just remember to vote.   (Laughter and applause.)  So I know that it’s frustrating for parents.  It’s frustrating for students who are working hard and doing everything right.  There are too many politicians in Washington who don't have the right priorities.  We need to straighten them out.  And maybe they forgot where they came from and who invested in them along the way.  (Applause.)  And when a bill to help you pay off your college doesn't pass, it’s a disservice not only to your generation but to our history. as a nation that strives to put quality education within the reach of every American.  So we’re going to have to keep on putting pressure on Congress. 美国国会

译文：不要嘘声.只要记得投票.因此,我知道这对父母尤为沮丧.这让努力工作,做了所有正确事情的学生们沮丧.太多在华盛顿的政客没有正确的事项优先级.我们需要整理出来.他们可能已经忘了他们从哪里来,是谁在一路上投资于他们.当一个帮助你们还清大学费用的法案没有通过,这不仅对你们这代人是伤害,而且对我们国家的历史也是伤害.我们的国家一直奋斗于让每一个国人对高质量的教育触手可及.因此,我们将继续给国会施加压力.
disservice  [dis·serv·ice || ‚dɪs'sɜːvɪs] n.  伤害, 虐待, 不亲切的行为
priority  [prai'ɒriti] n.  优先权, 优先 优先考虑的事
strive  [straɪv] v.  努力, 奋斗, 苦干; 反抗, 斗争
disservice  [dis'sә:vis] n.  伤害, 帮倒忙的行为

[36] But in the meantime, where Congress won’t act, I’m going to do whatever I can on my own.  So on Monday, I announced executive actions that are going to help students like you find the right options —— and give millions of Americans who are already making their loan payments a chance to cap those repayments at 10 percent of their income. 允许更多的大学毕业生以收入的10%来偿还他们的学生贷款。 Because a quality education shouldn’t be something that other kids get —— it should be something that every kid gets.  And that has to be a priority for this country. 

译文：但在国会不行动的同时,我将继续做我自己可以做的任何事情.在周一,我宣布了一系列行政措施,这将帮助像你们一样的学生有了更好的选择——给予数百万已经开始偿还贷款的人们一个这样的机会,仅需用他们收入的10%来支付他们的贷款.因为,一个高质量的教育不应该是其他一些孩子可以享有的——这应该是每一个孩子可以获得的.这应该是这个国家的优先事项.

[37] I tell you all this not just because you stand to benefit from changes in laws, but because you’re going to have to be a part of helping to shape the law. You’re going to have to shape public opinion. You’re going to have remember everybody who invested in you. You’re going to have to remember the experience of being part of this incredible community.  And then, when you go out into the world, whether you are a businessperson, or you are in the military, or you are an academic, or a doctor, or whatever it is that you’re doing, you’re also going to be a citizen.  You’re also going to be somebody who has a voice in how this country operates.  And you’ve got to push so that others get the same chance you did.

译文：我告诉你们所有这些,不仅仅因为你们一定能从法律条款的改变中受益,而是因为你们将成为推动改变法律条款改变的力量.你们将帮助改变公众的观点.你们将去记住每一个在你们身上进行投资的人.你们将去记住作为这个难以置信社区一部分的经历.然后,当你们去了世界各地,不管你是一个商人,或者你是一个军人,或者你是一个学者,一个医生,也不管你在做着什么,你也同样是一个市民.你也同样将成为在这个国家如何运作问题上发声的人.你们要去推动这些,因此其他人可以获得你已经做到的同样的机会.
金句：I tell you all this not just because you stand to benefit from changes in laws, but because you’re going to have to be a part of helping to shape the law. 
结构：do sth not only/just because A ,but (also) because B 做某事，不仅是因为A，还因为B。

[38] And making sure that every young person has the same opportunities you’ve had —— it won’t be easy.  Progress takes commitment.  It takes hard work.  We have to fight through the cynicism.  It’s going to take work from parents and from teachers, and members of the community and from students, but I know we can do it —— and I know it because of you. 

译文：确保每一个年轻人拥有你已经拥有的相同的机会——这并不容易.进步需要承诺.这需要辛勤的工作.我们也需要与犬儒主义进行斗争.这需要来自父母们,教师们,社区成员们以及学生们的努力,但我知道我们可以做到——我知道可以做到,这是因为你们.

[39] If Melinda Blanchard can get so good at welding that a bunch of college kids ask her help building a solar-paneled house for a competition in China, I know that we can get more young people excited about learning.  
译文：如果梅琳达•布兰查可以如此地擅长焊接,一群大学生寻求她的帮助建设一间太阳能板的房子,来应对来自中国的竞争,我知道我可以让更多的年轻人对学习更加兴奋.

[40] If Greg Carlson can help the robotics team at Worcester Tech win the world championship and still find time to mentor a robotics team at the middle school where he started out, then I know we can help guarantee every child in America a quality education.  

译文：如果格雷格•卡尔森可以帮助伍斯特技术中学的机器人小组赢得世界冠军——并仍然有时间指导他最开始中学的机器人小组,那么,我知道我们可以帮助保证每一个美国的孩子获得高质量的教育.
cynicism  ['cyn·i·cism || 'sɪnɪsɪzm] n.  犬儒主义; 冷嘲热讽; 玩世不恭
robotics  [计] 机器人学, 自动机工程学
mentor  [men·tor || 'mentɔr /'mentɔː] n.  贤明忠诚的顾问; 良师益友

[41] If Derek Murphy can start his own web development company and graduate with 18 college credits, I know we can help more students earn the skills that businesses are looking for. 

译文：如果德瑞克•墨菲可以开始创建他自己的网站开发公司——并且拥有着18个大学学分毕业,我知道我们可以帮助更多的学生学会企业所正需要的技能.

[42] You’re already doing it.  You’re already blazing a trail. You’re already leading.  You’re already giving back.  You don’t need to remember what I said today, because you’re already doing it.

译文：你们正在做着这些.你们已经开辟了这样的道路.你们已经是领军者.你们已经在回报.你们不需要记住我今天所说的,因为你们已经在做着这些.
blaze a trail开荒，开拓创新
-an innovative young company that has blazed a trail for others to follow

[43] And if it can happen in Worcester, it can happen anyplace.  (Applause.)  And if it does —— if more communities invest in young people like you, if you give back, if we all keep fighting to put opportunity within the reach of everybody who is willing to work for it —— America will be stronger, your future will be brighter.  There is no limit to what we can do together.

译文：如果这些可以发生在伍斯特,那么它就可以在任何地方发生.如果能够——如果有更多的社区投资于像你们一样的年轻人,如果你们有所回报,如果我们都一直奋斗于让愿意为机遇而努力的人可以获得触手可及的机遇——美国将会更加强大,你们的未来将更加光明.我们团结一致,就没有什么事情是不可能的.
within the reach就是触手可及

[44] So congratulations, Class of 2014.  You’re going to do big things.  God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

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