Online votes in; Kzoo Central in Top 3

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The votes are in, and now Kalamazoo Central is one of three high school finalists to have President Obama as their commencement speaker.

Earlier this week, supporters held a rally to get people to "Vote Kalamazoo" on their Facebook page.

Six high schools were in line for the voting. Kalamazoo Central was among the top three vote getters.  The other two are Clark Montessori Junior and Senior High School in Cincinnati and Denver School of Science and Technology.

The president will make the final choice, and the announcement will be made on May 4.

Applications were judged based on the school's performance, four essay questions and supplemental data.

The White House said finalists were selected for their dedication to academic excellence and for showing how they are helping prepare students to graduate college, become career ready, and able to meet the president's goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

The White House said over 170,000 online votes were cast for the six schools. The contest is part of the President's Race to the Top education initiative.

"We're what he's talking about when he speaks about his education plan and about getting schools and preparing schools and preparing their students for college and careers in general," said Kalamazoo Central senior Machlin Fink, "and we're on that trajectory to make our students more college ready, more career ready."

On Saturday, the president will give the commencement address at the University of Michigan .