First Lady Pool Report: Come Again?
Does DC have its own Kanye West, Jr.? According to a FLOTUS (cute) pool report this afternoon, a visit to a Southeast Washington public charter school by Prince Charles, the FLOTUS, and Camilla prompted this observation from Denzell Grimes, 14: "It's awfully rare for white people to come to our school--like, from other countries."
Speak truth to power, Denzell! Or just make an observation:
Upon further review of an audiotape, the quote from Denzell Grimes appears to be incorrect. According to the tape, Grimes stated: "It's awfully rare for ROYAL people to come to our school--like from other countries."
Both things technically true. You've got a future in politics, kid.
Full reports after the jump.
From: "White House Press Releases"
Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 16:34:31
Subject: FLOTUS POOL REPORT #1, 11/2/05
FLOTUS POOL REPORT #1
Washington
November 2, 2005
The motorcade arrived at the School of Education Evolution and Development (SEED), a public charter school in Southeast Washington, at 1: 51 p.m. Open access to press for arrivals, greeting line.
FLOTUS, Prince Charles of Wales and Duchess Camilla were taken on a tour of the school led by students Kendra Roberts (15, 9th grade) and Davon Jenkins (18, 12th grade) that included a visit to a dorm and the cafeteria (no pool access).
Flotus, the Prince, Camilla, and Washington Mayor Anthony Williams visited the 8th grade English classroom of teacher Melanie Brown. Students, who are beginning a segment on African literature, were seated at desks formed into squares with chairs placed out for their guests. Camilla was the first to engage with the students and the most active participant, moving from group to group and asking numerous questions. She asked one table Do they work you quite hard? How much homework? then queried another on the quality of food at the school. (Horrible, with a capital H, replied student Britney Rempson.) Another student, Drew Johnson, drew thanks from the duchess when he rescued her errant earring after it tumbled onto his desk. Camilla also expressed interest in school rules, asking another group of students now, what are the punishments?
Prince Charles queried another table of students about their television habits, asking if the students watch CNN and if they are allowed to watch television at school; he also expressed his opinion that there are too many channels to choose from. He seemed engaged and interested and laughed out loud at one point. At another table, FLOTUS and Mayor Williams engaged in a serious discussion about Africa and the article the students were studying. We didnt understand anything about the article at first, said student Morgan Knox, but [FLOTUS] was like another teacher in the classroom. She explained it to us.
Following the visit, student Denzell Grimes, 14, was asked what it was like to have such high-profile visitors and responded: Its awfully rare for white people to come to our school--like, from other countries.
The visitors moved on to another classroom, where they visited an 11th grade U.S. history class led by teacher Bill Stevens, then adjourned to the library to meet with students, parents and school board members (no pool access).
The visit closed with a ceremonial tree-planting and the presentation of gifts in the school courtyard, which was open to full press.
Jennifer Frey
The Washington Post
From: Press.Releases@WhiteHouse.Gov
Subject: FLOTUS POOL REPORT 1A, 11/2/05
Date: November 2, 2005 4:59:51 PM EST
Pool Report 1A
Upon further review of an audiotape, the quote from Denzell Grimes appears to be incorrect. According to the tape, Grimes stated: "It's awfully rare for ROYAL people to come to our school--like from other countries."
Jennifer Frey
The Washington Post