Staff Reports
Olivia Kankolenski, a ninth-grade student at Lewiston-Porter High School, will witness history when she sees Barack Obama take the Oath of Office as the 44th President of the Untied States in Washington D.C. Tuesday.
Olivia will be part of a delegation of students attending the 2009 Presidential Youth Leadership Conference, sponsored by LeadAmerica. During the youth conference, students will meet with a senior political strategist, receive an inside analysis of the 2008 election and participate in a presidential simulation that includes assembling a transition team, selecting the cabinet and determining policy initiatives.
Helping her make the trip was her uncle, Paul Lo Curto, who paid the $2,000 costs because he felt it was a special opportunity for Olivia.
“She’s extremely excited to go,” said mother Jacqueline McIntyre.
Olivia’s cousin, 14-year-old Samantha Capatosto, originally of Niagara Falls and now in California is also attending the inauguration through a school-sponsored.
•••
Natalie Hilts, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Edward Town Middle School, will be joining other outstanding middle school students from across the country in attending the 44th presidential inauguration.
Natalie, a Sanborn resident, will be part of a five-day Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference intended to provide students with a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration.
Natalie and junior inaugural scholars will have the opportunity to interact White House officials, congressional staff members, political experts and other VIPs such as Colin Powell, Al Gore and Erik Weihenmaye, keynote speakers for the conference.
When not attending school, Natalie enjoys reading, singing, theater, hiking and camping when not attending school.
