Chick 'N Wings: On-site with President Barack Obama

Photo by Christopher Diem

While I am too young to vote, I have a favorite President of the United States during my lifetime: President Barack Obama. I think he is trying really hard and doing the best he can.

So when my dad told me on Wednesday after school that he wasn't able to get me a ticket to see the President when he came to Marquette, I was sad. But then he asked what I thought about sitting with the press and getting a press pass. I couldn't believe it. Not only was I going to see the President of the United States in person, but I was going to be closer to him than most people ever get.

The day was pretty cool. Dad picked me up from school and I went and changed into some nice clothes before we headed over to the event. We had to get there a couple of hours early, but I didn't mind. I found out why though: They have security everywhere and even press people have to be checked out. All of the camera bags and computer bags were sniffed by a German Shepherd checking for bombs. I wanted to pet the dog, but my dad said it would eat my hand. I decided not to.

Then, we had to go through security. All members of the press had to be registered, and then we had our names double-checked to a list they had, and then we had to go through security guards with metal detectors and then we got to be seated.

When the President got there, it was really cool. The music started and everyone stood to their feet and he came in smiling and waving. Everyone was very excited.

He spoke for about an hour about the Internet and how rural areas like where I live need it so that we can have businesses and expand our business. I agree, of course, because all of my blogging and all of my dad's work is done over the Internet. If it wasn't for that, who knows what we'd be doing!

He talked about a couple of businesses and he talked about Egypt, which is a place I want to visit, and he talked about Chicago, which is a place I love to go. When he left, he shook hands with some people and more music played.

I didn't get to shake his hand, but I got to see him. How many nine-year-old girls get to say that? And how many are members of the press at the time?

And that wasn't the only cool thing that happened. 8-18 Media, which my dad says is a youth-based news group in the area, asked me a couple of questions, like what I would ask the President if I could ask him anything. My answer? What his favorite chicken wing is and where he gets them from, of course.

And I met some radio guys, like Jim Koski from Q107-WMQT, which is my favorite radio station. I thought he sounds younger than he is. My dad knows his dad and his brother, and now I know Jim. Cool, hey?

And I sat next to the Fat Man from 100.3, The Point, which was cool, too.

I had a pretty great week, that's for sure. I still can't believe I saw the President! And my friend, Shane Baker, is in charge of the kitchen at Doncker's and got to cook for the President! Now that's cool! They don't have chicken wings there, but they did have an Obama Burger.

It's hard to believe that just because I love chicken wings and I write about them with my dad that I got to see the President. That's the power of chicken wings!

I also want to thank Brandon Lepow from the White House for putting me on the press list and for coming over and meeting me. You really helped make a great memory for me and my dad.