In reference to Obama's recent speech to the American youth about the overall significance and value of our education, I feel as though it was very much needed and mildly poignant. President Obama thoroughly and eloquently stated that when the individual task of acquiring a rewarding education is undone it does not just affect that individual. It affects the nation as a whole. Personally, the speech sparked inspiration to work and study more tenaciously and efficiently. It also compelled me to motivate myself to reach long term goals ,and it produced a sense of meaningful purpose. Hopefully, this speech has made it evident to other teens that an education is one of the most powerful objects in the world to attain and possess. Likewise, we are in control of not only our own destiny but the destiny of our children, our children's children, and so on.