President Obama Addresses Students at Benedict College

[gtxvideo vid=”Doi5GYNo” playlist=”” pid=”Bbt3TRDe” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/Doi5GYNo.jpg” vtitle=”obama columbia”]

COLUMBIA, SC — It was a quick trip to the Palmetto State for President Obama Friday, where he addressed more than 1,500 people at Benedict College.

To kick off his first presidential visit to South Carolina, President Obama stepped off Air Force One Friday morning at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. On the tarmac he was greeted by Governor Nikki Haley, Representative Jim Clyburn and Mayor Steve Benjamin before he got into his motorcade in route to Benedict College. 

“Hello South Carolina!” President Obama said as he walked into the gymnasium. 

In a town hall style meeting, President Obama centered his message on making sure young Americans seize opportunities in their community for a bright future.

“As long as I’m President, we’re going to make sure that young people like you can achieve your dreams,” said President Obama. “We can’t do it for you, you have to do it yourselves, but we can give you the tools you need, we can give you a little helping hand.”

Several students took advantage of the opportunity to ask the Commander in Chief some questions of their own, on topics spanning from the cost of higher education to the problems facing historically black colleges and universities.

“My first and general point is do not get cynical about what’s possible, the second thing is you have to work hard,” said President Obama. 

But not all questions for the President were on serious matters, a 10-year old boy in the crowd asked the President when he became interested in becoming the leader of the United States, because he is interested in filling those shoes one day. 

Following the speech, students say they were inspired and motivated by Obama’s words.

“I think it was very great. I was very influenced by everything he spoke about,” said Kelsey Butler.

“Change starts with us, that’s the main thing he made a main point about was change, we have to work together for change,” said Marc Sutton. 

The President also spoke briefly about his trip this weekend to Selma.