Competition for President Obama commencement speech announced

President Obama wants to speak at a public high school graduation ceremony -- and it could be yours.

The White House and the Department of Education announced today the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge, inviting public schools across the country to compete to have President Obama speak at their graduation this spring.

Dubbed the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, students can enter the competition online at www.whitehouse.gov/commencement.

Each school may submit only one application and high schools must be public to apply. Entries must be received by March 15. 

Following the application deadline, six finalists will be selected by the White House and Department of Education.  They will be featured on the White House website and the public will have an opportunity to vote.  President Obama will select a national winner from these three finalists and visit the winning high school to deliver the commencement address to the class of 2010.