Hillary Clinton Congratulates Summer Program Graduates
Those of us who have had the privilege of having met Hillary Clinton
know that she is warm, generous, and encouraging. Always gracious, she
is open, welcoming, and a cheerful good sport. Participants in the
Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program had their chance to meet and greet
Hillary on Sunday upon completion of their summer courses.
The
arts enrichment program affords talented young people from low-income
urban schools the opportunity to work with professionals and adult
mentors in a variety of activities and was initiated in the wake of the
assassination of Robert F. Kennedy whose Senate seat Hillary once
filled.
The
former secretary of state, who regularly commands $200,000 for
speeches, returned to her adopted hometown, Chappaqua, N.Y., on
Sunday to address seven high school seniors at their graduation from a
summer scholarship program. In this instance, she spoke for free.
At
a time when the size of Mrs. Clinton’s speaking fees has drawn
controversy, she left the clamor behind for a community center
auditorium, where the families of graduates from New York City mingled
with the suburbanites who housed students for the summer.
Here is some terrific local coverage thanks to Grace and Ari Bennett at Inside Chappaqua Magazine! Grace is alwasy right on top of all things Chappaqua!
Like
any teenager anxious about culinary choices in a new environment,
Jejomar Ysit was taking no chances. “I packed an ample supply of
Twizzlers and Doritos …just in case,” the Dewitt Clinton High School
student (in an Einstein Honors program) quipped to a delighted gathering
of host families, alumni, board members, and friends of the Chappaqua
Summer Scholarship Program. His remarks were also directed to a beaming
town resident in the front row: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, a
second Clinton to graciously address and meet with the kids on their
momentous event. In 2005, her husband Bill Clinton was keynote speaker
for graduation from CCSP, now in its 46th year.
