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Chilean Leader Walks the Halls of Her Youth
After a special assembly at Westland Middle School, Michelle Bachelet, president of Chile, tells students about her life and job. Bachelet, in the area to meet with President Bush, told students that any of them could become president -- of the United States or of their native countries -- by working hard.
(Photos By Lucian Perkins -- The Washington Post)
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"Most of all, what I want to say to you is boys and girls can be president of the United States -- or since many of you are from other places, your country, if you work hard," she said. "All the best for you. I am so happy to be here."
Bachelet then took questions from students.
Vanessa Salgado, an eighth-grader, asked Bachelet how it felt to be the first woman president of Chile.
Bachelet paused for a moment before answering.
"I feel enormous responsibility," she said. "I feel a huge responsibility, because there are lots of expectations by women and by men. I won't fail. I'll do my best, and I'll work hard."
Another student wanted to know whether it was difficult to take care of a country and a family.
Bachelet -- a single mother of three children, ages 13, 21 and 28 -- smiled and gave a soft chuckle before answering.
"It's hard," she replied. "My daughter, when I was a candidate, she said to me, 'Mom, don't worry, it's only four years.' "
Afterwards, Bachelet waded into the audience to shake hands and meet students.
"She shook my hand! She shook my hand!'' said seventh-grader Brene Moseley, rushing back to her girlfriends and waving her right hand in the air. "She said 'Hi,' and I said 'Hi' back. It was a very moving experience."
For students with ties to Chile, the presidential visit was a special thrill.
"I was amazed she could find time in her busy schedule to come visit us," said eighth-grader Diego Pizaro, who as one of three Chilean students at the school was in charge of welcoming and escorting the president when she arrived.
"I was shaking," said Diego, dressed in crisp khakis and a navy blue polo shirt with white stripes. "But she was so warm-hearted."
Diego's father, Jorge, proudly showed off one of Bachelet's campaign posters, which the president autographed.
"This is so incredible," he said. "She made us proud."
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