The Light - An Alumni Publication Winter 2014/2015 | Page 29
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
GERMAN EXCHANGE STUDENT SEES MICHELLE
OBAMA
“One of the great things about being
an exchange student is to meet new people. In the
last two months, I have met probably hundreds of
different, interesting and some of the nicest people
I have ever known. I can’t tell who is the nicest or
who is the most interesting, but I can tell who was
the most exiting for me!
On Thursday, October 23 I had the chance to
meet Michelle Obama — I have heard a lot about
the personality of the First Lady – how natural,
authentic and impressive she is, but honestly I didn’t
believe it. I have heard a lot of good politicians
before. I have read speeches from her and from her
husband, President Obama. I didn’t think I would be
surprised, but I was, in a 100 percent positive way.
When she walked on stage, the whole audience
was kind of bored and sleepy. Imagine waking up
early, driving to Denver, waiting for your shuttle,
driving in the shuttle, waiting in line, waiting in the
hall, waiting for the band to play, waiting for the
band to stop playing, waiting for the first speeches,
listening to more music, listening to somebody else
you do not really know and care about, hearing
some more music and then finally an announcement.
“Please welcome Senator Mark Udall and the First
Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama!”
Everybody got excited, and I mean everybody!
The little kids dancing with their grandmas and
friends, the old lady who saw Michelle Obama
already a thousand times, and even the Secret
Service and the man from the hot dog cart. Mrs.
Obama waved and laughed and spoke and just had
fun. She was so natural, authentic and impressive.
I think she could have told the weirdest story and
everybody would have nodded and smiled and
been happy.
She spoke about the importance of voting and of
being an active member and citizen of this country.
She talked about changes that have been done and
changes to come. She talked about her husband,
her family and her children, and the importance of
their role in the future of the United States.
After her speech, if I had been old enough
and an American citizen, I would have voted right
away!”
— Selma Richter
15-year-old YFU Exchange Student from Germany
to Jefferson Academy High School in Denver, CO.
YFU COUCHES
ROSETTA STONE DISCOUNTS FOR ALUMNI
Have the itch to travel again and experience life
as a local? Make the world your home and share
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couch.yfu-is.org
With a new year comes new resolutions! If
learning a new language is on your list, you might
enjoy a discounted Rosetta Stone account. YFU is
currently offering employees, alumni and volunteers
the opportunity to purchase a 1-year online Rosetta
Stone account for 2015 at a reduced rate of $100.
You can request more information or an account by
emailing [email protected].
YFU
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