Posted: 10.17.05

Helen Anne is a UW Journalism major. She spent the summer in Ireland and sends us this report:

Upon my return to the states I sent a thank you e-mail to the President's press secretary for permitting me to tag along during the President's visit. I attached a couple of photos, one of which she passed onto a peace building magazine, who in turn wants to publish it! It happens to be my favorite picture.

The first school she visited was a Protestant primary school in a loyalist community called Taughmonagh just outside Belfast city centre. The President(originally from Belfast) is striving to bridge the divided communities of Northern Ireland by way of education. She promotes this by visiting schools all over Ireland.

During her visit she encouraged students to open their minds to diversity and tolerance. She emphasized building healthy relationships with one another by holding each other up in a positive manner. She reminded us all how important it is look after our neighbors.

I had free access to photograph the President as she went from classroom to classroom. Each class presented a sing song, then had an opportunity to ask The President questions. The most popular was, "where do you live?" It was a relaxed atmosphere and in no time at all she had them bubbling over with giggles with her response of, "Next to the Dublin Zoo!" Really, no kidding. She really does. She explained to them that she has a secret key to a gate that leads into the zoo and she can visit with all the animals anytime she wants. The children were suspended in a state of awe, patiently awaiting her next comment. I was within arms reach of the intimate gathering and it was in that split second, the President and the child's eyes locked. To me, that moment was priceless and speaks volumes.

Meeting President MacAleese was a major and unexpected highlight during my visit abroad. It just goes to show how a series of happenstance and a simple gesture of thanks has its rewards.