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Romero, an eighth-grader at Memorial Junior High School, is taking part in the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference. The inauguration will be just one part of the program from Jan. 17-21. Romero will also listen to speeches by Colin Powell and Al Gore, learn about the roles of the presidents and the Electoral College and attend the Gala Inaugural Ball.
In 2007, Romero participated in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., and, unbeknown to him, earned an invitation to the inauguration. When it came in the mail last March, he was surprised. "I was sitting watching TV one day and my mom brought it to me," he said. "I was just amazed."
The Democratic and Republican candidates hadn't even been chosen yet, but Romero knew he wanted to attend. The fact that he will be witnessing the inauguration of the first African-American president makes it even more special, he said.
Mohamed and Tarquino are sixth-graders at Howell Road School. Two years ago, they took part in the National Young Scholars Program, and they, too, received invitations to the inauguration. "We're very excited," Mohamed said. "Who wouldn't be?"
The boys will attend conferences with a variety of government leaders, visit the Air and Space Museum and attend the inaugural ball. Mohamed said he has been to Washington only once, and even then basically "drove through it." Tarquino has never been there, so both are looking forward to seeing the sights in the nation's capital. "I can't wait to see the White House," Tarquino said.
Mohamed said that during the presidential campaign, he read a lot of news stories on the candidates, and Tarquino said he watched the debates. Both said they are happy that Obama won. "I'm really excited because I like his ideas a lot," Tarquino said.
Both are looking forward to hearing Obama's inaugural address, and say they expect him to talk a lot of about the economy, the war in Iraq and the environment. Mohamed, who described himself as "a bit of a nature lover," said he is glad that the president-elect opposes offshore drilling.
They were nominated for the National Young Scholars Program when they were in fourth grade by their teacher, Maria Schwartz. She said she nominated them because they are smart, have great morals and are model students. "I think that these two will be future leaders of America," Schwartz said. "I have so much respect for them. They have good moral character, and that's what makes them so outstanding."
Schwartz said that having Mohamed and Tarquino attend the inauguration is not only a great experience for them, but for the school and the district. For their part, the boys are very appreciative of their former teacher. "I'm going to buy her a souvenir," Mohamed said.
Romero was nominated for the Junior National Young Leaders Conference as a sixth-grader at Howell Road School by teacher Richard Rosenfeld. "When you think of Joe, you think of a leader," Rosenfeld said. "A lot of kids looked up to him."
Rosenfeld added that he was elated to learn that Romero would be attending the inauguration. "I can't think of a more deserving person," he said. "Look at this opportunity. This is history in the making. How many kids can say, 'I went to the inauguration'?"
Romero, who is in the accelerated program at Memorial Junior High, is already taking on leadership roles. He is a captain of the basketball team, and was a captain of the baseball team last spring as well as the football team in the fall.
He said that everyone he knows is excited about his opportunity. The advice he hears the most, Romero said, is to bring the new camera he got for Christmas.
He said he is looking forward to hearing about Obama's ideas for change. In social studies class during the election, Romero answered questions on various issues and discovered that he actually leans Republican. Nonetheless, he voted for Obama in a mock election.
"It's going to be historical," he said. "If my grandkids learn about this in history class, I can say I was there."
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516)) 569-4000 ext. 265.
In 2007, Romero participated in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., and, unbeknown to him, earned an invitation to the inauguration. When it came in the mail last March, he was surprised. "I was sitting watching TV one day and my mom brought it to me," he said. "I was just amazed."
The Democratic and Republican candidates hadn't even been chosen yet, but Romero knew he wanted to attend. The fact that he will be witnessing the inauguration of the first African-American president makes it even more special, he said.
Mohamed and Tarquino are sixth-graders at Howell Road School. Two years ago, they took part in the National Young Scholars Program, and they, too, received invitations to the inauguration. "We're very excited," Mohamed said. "Who wouldn't be?"
The boys will attend conferences with a variety of government leaders, visit the Air and Space Museum and attend the inaugural ball. Mohamed said he has been to Washington only once, and even then basically "drove through it." Tarquino has never been there, so both are looking forward to seeing the sights in the nation's capital. "I can't wait to see the White House," Tarquino said.
Both are looking forward to hearing Obama's inaugural address, and say they expect him to talk a lot of about the economy, the war in Iraq and the environment. Mohamed, who described himself as "a bit of a nature lover," said he is glad that the president-elect opposes offshore drilling.
They were nominated for the National Young Scholars Program when they were in fourth grade by their teacher, Maria Schwartz. She said she nominated them because they are smart, have great morals and are model students. "I think that these two will be future leaders of America," Schwartz said. "I have so much respect for them. They have good moral character, and that's what makes them so outstanding."
Schwartz said that having Mohamed and Tarquino attend the inauguration is not only a great experience for them, but for the school and the district. For their part, the boys are very appreciative of their former teacher. "I'm going to buy her a souvenir," Mohamed said.
Romero was nominated for the Junior National Young Leaders Conference as a sixth-grader at Howell Road School by teacher Richard Rosenfeld. "When you think of Joe, you think of a leader," Rosenfeld said. "A lot of kids looked up to him."
Rosenfeld added that he was elated to learn that Romero would be attending the inauguration. "I can't think of a more deserving person," he said. "Look at this opportunity. This is history in the making. How many kids can say, 'I went to the inauguration'?"
Romero, who is in the accelerated program at Memorial Junior High, is already taking on leadership roles. He is a captain of the basketball team, and was a captain of the baseball team last spring as well as the football team in the fall.
He said that everyone he knows is excited about his opportunity. The advice he hears the most, Romero said, is to bring the new camera he got for Christmas.
He said he is looking forward to hearing about Obama's ideas for change. In social studies class during the election, Romero answered questions on various issues and discovered that he actually leans Republican. Nonetheless, he voted for Obama in a mock election.
"It's going to be historical," he said. "If my grandkids learn about this in history class, I can say I was there."
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516)) 569-4000 ext. 265.
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