Local Girl Meets President Obama

When , 17, returns to Yorkville High School this fall, she’ll swap summer stories with classmates.  Except instead of talking about trips to Wisconsin or lounging by the pool, the high school senior will be declaring “I met the president this summer.”

Sutcliff was one of two girls chosen to represent Illinois at Girls Nation, a weeklong conference in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Two girls came from each state, except for Hawaii, to serve as senators.

She was chosen to serve at Girls Nation after being elected by her peers and several advisers at Girls State, a similar state-level conference held at Eastern Illinois University in July. 

“I cried when I was announced to go as a senator.  It’s such a huge honor,” Sutcliff said.

Each applicant must have completed her junior year in high school and have an interest in government. The Girls State trip was sponsored by the Yorkville American Legion Auxiliary.   

According to Kathy Tucek, Yorkville Auxiliary president, not many girls apply for the program.

“We’re lucky if we have one girl applying every year,” Tucek said. “I don’t know when a girl from Yorkville has gone to Girls Nation. It’s just amazing.”

Once at the conference, the 98 girls held senate meetings to campaign for passing bills and resolutions.  Each set of girls came with a bill or resolution.  According to Sutcliff, the bills were not controversial except for some on immigration.

“Because we like to debate and argue we only passed 11 bills and three resolutions,” Sutcliff said.

The trip also was filled with sightseeing and a visit with President Obama. 

Last Monday the group heard a lobbyist speak and visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they saw the changing of the guard and laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Finally, they visited Walter Reid Memorial Hospital where they sang and had a cookout with veterans.

“[The veterans] were mostly 18 or 19, and they were so open about what happened to them," Sutcliff said. "It was really cool.”

Last Tuesday plans were changed to allow a meeting with Obama. 

After standing on risers in the East Room where they would perform three songs, Sutcliff and the other girl representing Illinois were called to the front row for the ensuing photograph. At the end of “Grand Old Flag,” the president walked in, clapping. Everyone stood up, clapping for him, Sutcliff said. 

“We weren’t supposed to scream but you heard a couple girls squeak when he walked in” Sutcliff said.

The president gave the girls a short address on the hope that conferences such as Girls Nation and Boys Nation gave him, and he made a crack about the recent heated debt-ceiling debates.

“It’s the president and he made a joke,” Sutcliff chuckled.

Before taking a photo with the group, Obama spoke with Sutcliff and her fellow Illinois “senator,” who were next to the president in the photo.  (The photo has yet to be released by the White House, but you can see the aftermath here).

“I told him I was from Yorkville and he said, ‘Yeah, I know Yorkville,' ” Sutcliff said, beaming. “He knows my town.” 

The president then put his arms around the two girls from Illinois for the picture and shook their hands before leaving.

“He’s more humble than you’d think,” Sutcliff added.  “It was incredible. We were in awe. No matter what stance you take, he’s the president of the United States. You have to respect him for that.”

The next day the girls received the tourist version of a White House tour. 

Thursday was Capitol Hill day for the group. The girls met with senators and participants in Boys Nation.  After speaking with Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk’s interns, the girls attended a banquet at which they heard an inspiring speech from a Holocaust survivor.

All day Friday was spent passing and signing bills. The girls also elected a keynote speaker, vice president and president. The elected president was from Florida.  She signed all the bills and resolutions followed by a candlelight ceremony and speeches from the elected officers. 

The group departed from Washington on Saturday.

“I really liked meeting all the girls," Sutcliff said.  "You could tell these girls are going to do big things. It was so intimidating - they’re all really driven and ambitious.”   

Sutcliff said she would recommend the experience to anyone who’s eligible.

“I definitely left feeling more confident,” she said.  "You leave knowing who you are and feeling more determined. You feel unstoppable.”

Girls interested in applying for Girls State next year should contact their school counselors.