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HAVING A BALL
Photo
DANCING WITH A STAR: Naelemn Hasley, 6, left, and Alicia MOore, 7, pose in front of a cardboard cutout of President Barack Obama. They were selected to represent the presidenta dn first lady at an inaugural ball Wednesday at Paul C. Bunn Elementary School
By Jon Moffett
The ball was a reward for tiny dancers who behaved responsibly.
YOUNGSTOWN — A day after he was sworn in, President Barack Obama made a special appearance at Paul C. Bunn Elementary School.
A life-size cardboard cutout of the new president stood in the foyer of the school Wednesday greeting the children, and during the two recess periods, pupils attended inaugural balls. Principal Maria Pappas said the events were to help children learn about their country.
“We are trying to teach them about citizenship and personal responsibility,” she said. “And the importance of making good decisions and how to treat others.”
Pappas said the event was a reward for pupils who achieved good conduct last week. She added that the children watched the ceremony and the various inaugural balls to prepare for the dance.
Pupils from each recess period represented President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama and shared the first dance.
Christian Carson, a fourth-grader, portrayed the president and Jazmein Jessup, a fifth-grader, represented the first lady during the first ball for the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders. The 10-year-olds were greeted by a chorus of laughs and cheers from their peers as they held hands for the dance. After the first couple’s turn in the spotlight, others were less than enthusiastic about joining in on the dancing. Some coaxing by Pappas and other teachers brought some kids to the floor.
“I might want to be the president one day,” Christian said. “I want to make the speech of a lifetime and inspire people like Barack Obama.”
Jazmein said being selected to portray the first lady was “very exciting.”
The second ball, made up of kindergarten, first-, second- and third-graders, followed immediately.
The dance was delayed momentarily when it was discovered that 6-year-old Nalemn Hasley Jr., who portrayed the president, had his shoes on the wrong feet. Alicia Moore, 7, played Michelle Obama.
jmoffett@vindy.com