3 high schools in Ohio, Mich., Colo. finalists in competition for Obama commencement speech

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3 high schools finalists for Obama speech to grads

WASHINGTON — Three high schools are finalists in a contest to win President Barack Obama as their commencement speaker.

Obama will make the final selection, to be announced Tuesday.

The schools are:

—Clark Montessori Junior High and High School in Cincinnati.

—Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich.

—Denver School of Science and Technology in Denver.

The three were winnowed from six through public voting on videos and essays submitted by the schools. The White House said Friday that more than 170,000 people voted. The contest is part of Obama’s efforts to improve schools and raise graduation rates.