KIRKMERE SCHOOL First-grader's writing gives Bush glimpse into boy's sense of pride

He asked the president to help with the job situation.
By VANESSA SCHUTZ
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- "Hey, the president is going to be here today!" first-grader McKahan Benson said to his Kirkmere Elementary School class in Room 2.
"The president of what?" asked his classmate Anfeny Tyrone Carter.
"The president -- the president of the United States," McKahan said.
"He is?!" Anfeny replied.
Seven-year-old Anfeny's surprise and delight regarding President Bush's visit was best expressed through his three-page heartfelt journal entry during the class daily writing assignment.
His questions
Anfeny, who one day dreams of becoming president himself, did not mention the situation in Iraq or community health-care center programs, but rather asked, "Are you very proud of us?" and "Will you help us to be the best?"
Patricia Kasper, Anfeny's teacher, had recently completed a lesson on caring and trust, the central themes of the letter. Anfeny learned that if the United States is to survive as a nation, its citizens must trust one another and be honest.
"What's heartfelt is that a student is able to relay these feelings through writing," said Sarah Bonaquist, principal of the West Side school. "We're very proud of him."
In addition, Anfeny, son of Natasha Moses of Youngstown, asked the president to help with the job situation because he loves his state and its people.
"All our jobs are going away and I don't want people to go away with them," Anfeny said. "Everyone [in Ohio] is nice and not mean or nasty."
Anfeny was in class during Bush's visit Tuesday, which was shown on television.
"I saw him in the plane, but then I had to go to my bus stop," Anfeny said.
Bush gets a copy
Although Anfeny caught only a glimpse of Bush on television, it is hoped that Bush received a glance into Anfeny's feelings -- a copy of his letter was sent with Mayor George McKelvey to deliver to the president. The mayor had dinner with the president at the White House Wednesday night.
"He's a fine young first-grader on the verge of becoming a second-grader -- I guess that's one step closer to his presidency," Bonaquist joked.
vschutz@vindy.com