After being selected as one of three finalists competing for a commencement speech delivered in person by President Obama,Bridgeport High School students will now have to wait until next week to finalize plans for the June 3rd ceremony.

White House officials announced yesterday that the president will announce the winner of the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge on Monday afternoon.

The other two finalists in the challenge are High Tech High International in San Diego and Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tenn. Bridgeport High, with only 200 students, was by far the most rural of the six semi-finalist schools competing in the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge.

Bridgeport High School Principal Tamra Jackson said school staff and students are focused on organizing the commencement ceremony for its 37 seniors. Gov. Christine Gregoire committed to attending the ceremony last week, and no matter what happens with the contest, at least one of Obama’s cabinet members will also attend.

Jackson added, “We know that the governor plans to be here and we’re counting on Obama”

Stay tuned to Kozi for the breaking news Monday afternoon.