YORK, PA -
More than a dozen York teens travel to the nation's capitol to meet the Commander in Chief. The young ladies took part in a cook-out on the White House lawn. The event was to celebrate mentoring programs, like those offered at the YWCA in York. "It was surreal, it was just so surreal, I couldn't believe I was on the White House lawn," said 16-year-old Tiffany Hill. The teens had a front row seat as President Obama addressed the crowd with an inspiring message on the importance of education. For 15-year-old Ja'Quaya Dowling, the experience was an emotional one. She even received a hug from the President after being overcome with tears.
"I was real happy because it was one of my accomplishments to meet him and I finally accomplished something," said Dowling.
Besides meeting Mr. Obama, the teens rubbed elbows, snapped pictures, and shared stories with celebrities.
"Diana Ross' daughter was at one table and then Steve Harvey was at another table and I was sitting with an artist who was telling us about how his life was growing up," said 16-year-old Shilena Footman.
Mike Smith, Director of Youth Programs at the YWCA in York, organized the trip. He says the best part was seeing the teens motivated to make a difference.
"My ultimate goal is to make them understand who they are and that they can be all they can be and to ultimately go on to higher education," said Smith.
About 150 teens from across the country took part in the event.
"I was real happy because it was one of my accomplishments to meet him and I finally accomplished something," said Dowling.
Besides meeting Mr. Obama, the teens rubbed elbows, snapped pictures, and shared stories with celebrities.
"Diana Ross' daughter was at one table and then Steve Harvey was at another table and I was sitting with an artist who was telling us about how his life was growing up," said 16-year-old Shilena Footman.
Mike Smith, Director of Youth Programs at the YWCA in York, organized the trip. He says the best part was seeing the teens motivated to make a difference.
"My ultimate goal is to make them understand who they are and that they can be all they can be and to ultimately go on to higher education," said Smith.
About 150 teens from across the country took part in the event.
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