My 24 hours in Washington D.C.
When I received an e-mail from my editor asking for my availability for an undisclosed assignment on the 14th and 15th of July, I replied saying that I would be able to do any assignments that were necessary on those dates. Later, he revealed the assignment: I was to interview the President of the United States of America!
The morning of the interview, Topanga, the other Kid Reporter, and I (along with our parents) took a self-guided tour of the White House. I was able to see everything that I had read about or saw in pictures: the famous East Room and in it the famous picture of George Washington that Dolly Madison saved from burning in the War of 1812; Jacqueline Kennedy’s china; and the Presidential Library from the blocked off doorway to it. After the tour, my mom and I went straight to a White House gift shop nearby. We purchased a bunch of souvenirs and then rushed back to our hotel.
After confirming with one of my editors that that the interview was still on schedule, we all met up and headed to the White House. After passing through a security check, we found Lauren, a White House communications officer, along with another staff member, who escorted us to the interview. Before we went to where the interview would take place, we stopped at the Press Briefing Room. We were able to stand and get our pictures taken at the very podium that Obama stands when talking to the press! I could just imagine many of our modern Presidents standing at that very podium!
We were then led to the opposite side of the main hallway, and into the Library. I noticed that I’d seen that very same room earlier in the day; only it had been roped off to keep people from entering.
There, in the Library, we did an audio/video check with members of the production staff. Some Secret Service members were also in the room. Soon, a person came in saying that the President would be there in five minutes. The room quieted quickly and we all waited. I looked at my watch and four minutes had passed. Then, suddenly, the door banged open, and Lauren came in followed by President Obama and a Secret Serviceman. I was surprised because I expected someone to come in first announcing his arrival.
When we were done with the interview, the President told us that there was someone he would like us to meet. The door to the Library opened, and Bo, the First Dog, came running in and went straight to President Obama. Bo seemed confused and frantic at first, but then he calmed down when the President told him to lie down. We got to pet him, and then he was ushered out of the room.
The President then told us that he had some things to give us before we left. He gave us a presidential gift bag filled with incredible things. There was a picture of Bo, a personally signed mini Constitution book, a Frisbee, a yo-yo, a Presidential Seal, and Presidential M&Ms.
When we left the room, we were escorted down an outdoor hallway that I have seen used by many Presidents in lots of famous pictures. We then walked into an office used by the Head of the Presidential Press.
After the interview, my mom and I went to a variety of Smithsonian museums at the National Mall. We had dinner that night at an incredible Chinese food restaurant called Meiwei. That night, we hung out in our hotel room and called family members. After that, we went to the hotel restaurant and had dessert. I went to bed exhausted. I knew that I would have to get up really early the next morning to travel home to Albuquerque.
Overall, it was an incredible experience!
Check out the Kids Press Corps interview with President Barack Obama! And for more news for kids, by kids, visit the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!
Photos: (top) Kid Reporter Jacob Schroeder at the podium in the White House Press Briefing Room, (bottom) Jacob with the contents of the White House gift bag he and Topanga received at the end of their interview. (Photos courtesy Kyle Good and Jacob Schroeder)
Jacob,
You are truly a professional reporter. You are an articulate young man and you truly did an amazing job! Keep up the fantastic job!
Posted by: Robert and Marybelle Sena | 08/24/2011 at 03:00 PM
This is awesome! Maybe you'll end up being President some day!
Posted by: Kevin | 08/24/2011 at 05:21 PM
What an exciting experience. I liked the way you told about it; I could almost picture myself standing beside you. Great writing!
Posted by: Sue | 08/24/2011 at 07:34 PM
It sounds like you had a great time. Terrific write-up, too!
Posted by: Ward | 08/24/2011 at 07:35 PM
Jacob, Your article is amazing! What an opportunity to meet and interview the President. I really liked your questions to the President, your delivery of them, and the respect both you and Topanga showed the President. Kudos to one of our best up and coming national reporters!
Posted by: Bobette | 08/24/2011 at 11:49 PM
Congratulations Jacob on your wonderful job of interviewing President Obama!
Posted by: Leah | 08/25/2011 at 12:40 AM
I am glad that I was in great company. You did a wonderful job and I was so excited to meet you and to be able to interview the president with you. I have no doubt that you will accomplish all of your goals. I can't wait to follow your list of works.
Keep being awesome!
Posted by: Topanga | 08/25/2011 at 12:54 PM
Jacob, your writing has such a nice flow. Critical question: did the Presidential M&M's have blue ones?
Posted by: Camille | 08/25/2011 at 01:21 PM
Jacob, this article is fabulous as are you. I am still shocked with all the amazing opportunities you have been given this summer! Keep up the great work!!! So very proud of you!
Posted by: Britny | 08/26/2011 at 11:18 PM
This is amazing! You wrote a wonderful piece and congrats on a job well done of interviewing the President!
Posted by: Charisma | 08/28/2011 at 12:53 PM
Hi Jacob! The kids and I just saw you on the Today Show. You were great! You gave that reporter a run for her money. Talk MSNBC into having your own show! Well done!!
Posted by: Bobette | 08/30/2011 at 01:16 PM
Congratulations!! Jacob you did an amazing job! You are so good at what you do! This must have been an exiting opportunity!!!
Posted by: Dimple | 08/30/2011 at 02:11 PM
This is awesome! Wish I could interview a president!
Posted by: Ty | 09/01/2011 at 08:02 PM
I bet it was fun going to the White House and imagining the history that had happened there. How did the presidential M&Ms taste?
Posted by: Andy | 09/03/2011 at 04:21 PM
I loved watching your interview with the president and reading your articles. You were very confident and well spoken. We are proud of you.
Posted by: Aunt Betsi | 09/03/2011 at 04:23 PM
How cool to interview a president! I thought your questions were good to ask him. You did great!
Posted by: Jared | 09/07/2011 at 05:44 PM
I saw you on the Today Show! You were super Jacob!
Posted by: Ella | 09/07/2011 at 05:47 PM
I got a Jr. Scholastic Magazine and I saw you in it! I read about this interview and then found this story about you and the President on-line. You do an excellent job as a reporter!
Posted by: Trent | 09/07/2011 at 05:52 PM
You have a cool job!
Posted by: Jena | 09/09/2011 at 08:02 AM
this story is awesome im very proud of you keep it up !!!
Posted by: Unknown Author | 09/19/2011 at 09:56 AM
That was a coincidence that they sent you the email
Posted by: j | 09/19/2011 at 09:58 AM
Wow I would like to be you becuase you had the opportunity to see The president of united states. I think you were lucky to see him in person.
Posted by: c | 09/19/2011 at 10:05 AM
That is cool that you got to meet the president.
Posted by: e | 09/19/2011 at 10:09 AM
How was it like meeting the president in the White House?
Posted by: a | 09/19/2011 at 03:07 PM
That must have very exciting! I wish I could go .
Posted by: J | 09/19/2011 at 03:22 PM