Pflugerville boy got to meet Obama before introducing him

[sonias]

AAS 1/22/10
'Little Brother' got to meet president before introducing him
11-year-old back in Pflugerville after White House ceremony celebrating his, others' mentors.

Anthony Saldana was looking pretty sharp when he met the president of the United States on Wednesday.

Black suit. White shirt. Dress shoes.

"I like your suit," Anthony, 11 , said the president remarked. "You look nice."

(snip)
Then he read the lines prepared for him by White House staffers: "I'm so glad that President Obama supports mentoring programs so that more kids like me can have a mentor. So I'm honored to introduce the president of the United States, Barack Obama, a strong supporter of mentoring and a role model for lots of young people like me."

(snip)
"I think that he's a very nice guy," he said. "I thought he was going to be uptight and very mean, but he was actually a jokester and very funny."

The photo gallery for the story is here: Photo gallery

For those not familiar with Pflugerville, it's right next to Round Rock. What a great story! Sounds like a wonderful young man. He has a memory of a lifetime.

:bounce::thumbsup: :bounce::thumbsup::bounce:

Sonia

[white cloud]

1. Thanks for a good story!!

Barack Obama, a strong supporter of mentoring and a role model for lots of young people like me."

Sad we we wasted minds, time, and money on chrony GWB NB "No BUSH left behind" COW.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_42/b4005059.htm

[sonias]

2. When I think of a President inspiring a generation of young people

Obama is the one I think will make a lot of kids aspire to higher goals. Whether it be going on to college or community service.

Bush on the other hand just reinforced the power of money. Kids learned that if you have a rich daddy with rich friends you can buy your way into the White House - that's the tired old model.

Sonia

[sonias]

3. Link to transcript and video on WhiteHouse.gov

WhiteHouse.Gov 1/20/10
Remarks by the President and First Lady in Honor of National Mentoring Month
(snip)
So thank you all so much for coming. We are proud of all of you, not just the mentees but the mentors, for the work that you're doing. And now I have one final honor, and that is to introduce one of our star mentees: the Little Brother of the year, Anthony Saldaña. Let's give him a warm -- (applause.)

MR. SALDAÑA: Being a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters has been one of the best experiences of my life. This program means that in addition to my grandma and grandpa, I get to spend time with a wonderful guy like Ben, who is on stage here today. (Laughter.)

I'm so glad that President Obama supports mentoring programs so that more kids like me can have a mentor. So I'm honored to introduce the President of the United States, Barack Obama, a strong supporter of mentoring and a role model for lots of young people like me. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Thank you. Please have a seat.

Thank you, Anthony, for that outstanding introduction. And thank you, Michelle Obama -- also known around here as "FLOTUS," which stands for First Lady of the United States. I'm "POTUS." (Laughter.)

:applause::applause::applause:

Sonia