The 2016 president’s race has not been a big part of my home school curriculum. My mom tells me she doesn’t want to ruin my childhood with politics. However, when I was given the opportunity to meet Hillary Rodham Clinton, I decided it was time. I didn’t want to meet Secretary Clinton without some background on her. I tried Googling but the first thing I clicked on was a picture of Kim Kardashian taking a selfie with Hillary. When I told my mom what I found and asked who she was, my mom put me in the car and drove me to the bookstore. I picked three books about her life. They were inspiring! I soon learned I was about to meet a historical figure! Wow, this was going to be exciting.
Yesterday was the big day. I would meet Hillary Rodham Clinton at a fundraising event in Chicago. Excited, I woke up really early to start getting ready for the day, which seemed to drag on forever. It was finally time to leave for the event. Right before leaving I called my mom. She told me to take a selfie because if Secret Service let Kim Kardashian get one, she said they couldn’t refuse a nine year old girl. My mom, also went on and on and on about shaking her hand properly, keeping my shoulders back , having a nice greeting and speaking from my heart. Ok, ok, enough mom!!!!
Finally, I arrived at the event and waited for two hours for Mrs. Clinton to arrive. Once she did, I was only the second person to talk to her. The person in front of me took a quick picture with her, and the line behind us was long. I was nervous that I would not get enough time to ask her my two questions. How would I tell my mom that I said absolutely nothing? Happily, I walked up to Senator Clinton. We had our picture taken and I asked her to sign my “Some Girls Were Born to Lead” book. As she inscribed it, I began to ask her my questions.
Here is our conversation:
“Last year, I went to Greece and I saw the refugees. It made me very sad that they were living on the streets with no food and little water. The only ones helping were Greeks. The Greeks, themselves, are suffering from an economic crisis. When you are President, will you help Greece and the refugees?” I asked.
“Yes, Yes, I will.” Senator Clinton responded.
“How?” I asked.
“I don’t know yet, but, I promise I will find a way to help.” Mrs. Clinton said.
“I want to change the world, do you have any advice for me?” I wanted to know.
“You should pay attention to other people and how they act. Noel, you must do very well in school. Listen and watch. When you are older, volunteer to help people.” She then said something that made me want to do a happy dance. “Noel, you are a very smart girl.”
OMG!!! I just met Hillary Clinton! Did she really just tell me I was smart? Smart? How smart? Smart enough to be a child ambassador? Great! I’m available!
I saw the line waiting and I knew it was time for us to wrap this up. I looked Senator Clinton in the eyes and said, “I hope you become our first woman President.”
It was time to check in with my mother. Oh no, I didn’t have time to ask for a selfie. When I called her, the first thing I told her was that Mrs. Clinton said I was smart and she promised to help the refugee crisis in Greece.
“Noel, being smart, is much better than any selfie. A promise from a former First Lady and possibly the President of the United States, is also better than any selfie” my mom told me.
I won’t forget Senator Clinton’s promise. She inscribed my book with “Noel, follow your dreams!” I will follow my dreams, and they will include watching President Clinton keep her promise.
As for my not getting a selfie, like Kim Kardashian, while she might have a selfie, Senator Clinton called me smart. And I’d take that any day over a picture!
Homeschooling Noel 