Harvard president pushes college in speech at Miami Northwestern

Drew Faust says school has been 'wonderful example' of commitment to college

MIAMI – An audience of eager students packed into the media room at Miami Northwestern Senior High School on Thursday to hear from Harvard University President Drew Faust.

Faust came to meet with students and teachers to discuss pathways to higher education.

"This school has been a wonderful example in its commitment to college education for its students," Faust told Local 10 News.

Some students from Booker T. Washington Senior High School were also in attendance.

The goal was to show students that Ivy League schools are not out of reach for them, no matter their race, gender or economic status, a lesson embodied by Miami Northwestern graduate and Harvard alumnus Shaunte Butler.

"When I was this age, I was thinking that I definitely want to go to college, but I'm unsure of how I'm going to pay for it, and I'm also unsure of what institutions will accept me and will accept students from Miami Northwestern," Butler said.

Students had the chance to ask questions about issues unique to them.

They left the speech with a renewed excitement about their academic futures.

"Today I felt like anything is possible," one student told Local 10.


About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.