In Her Own Words: Doing the Write Thing

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In Her Own Words: Doing the Write Thing

Exclusive Essay by Jacqueline Uy:

Back in elementary school, there was always that one kid who, when asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, would say, “I want to be president.” That kid was me.

But as I got older I realized that what I really wanted to become was a journalist, specifically a foreign correspondent. Even with this, I never really thought that I would ever step foot in the White House, much less meet first lady Michelle Obama. So when the opportunity to do both arose, I reacted like any normal 16-year-old in my situation: I didn’t believe it. 

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THE REPUBLIC: First lady inspires young writers at White House

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THE REPUBLIC: First lady inspires young writers at White House

The eyes of 16-year-old Jacqueline Uy glistened as First Lady Michelle Obama pulled her into a tight hug and whispered in her ear.

"She just told me to keep writing, and that her favorite thing to do was to write," said Uy, a member of WriteGirl, one of 12 after-school programs honored at the White House Nov. 22. "She told me to keep on dreaming, because someday I'll achieve my dreams and goals."

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NBC LATINO: After-school programs that change Latino students’ lives receive national award

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NBC LATINO: After-school programs that change Latino students’ lives receive national award

On Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama gave 12 after-school programs from across the country the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. The award is the highest honor in the country for programs using the arts and humanities to help youth do better in school, keep them from dropping out, and raise their cultural awareness.

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SANTA CLARITA SIGNAL: First Lady Honors Nonprofit Serving Santa Clarita Valley

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SANTA CLARITA SIGNAL: First Lady Honors Nonprofit Serving Santa Clarita Valley

A program to help set girls at two Santa Clarita Valley probationary camps on the road to academic success through creative writing and mentoring has been honored at the White House by first lady Michelle Obama.

Representatives from WriteGirl, a nonprofit that serves girls at Camp Scott and Camp Scudder in Saugus, were presented Friday with the 2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program award by Obama in the East Room of the White House. WriteGirl was one of 12 organizations nationwide to receive the honor.

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KPCC: Michelle Obama honors LA mentoring program for teen girls

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KPCC: Michelle Obama honors LA mentoring program for teen girls

First Lady Michelle Obama honored a Southern California mentoring program Friday at the White House, giving a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award to WriteGirl. The  organization matches at-risk teens with women writers. 

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WriteGirl goes to Washington...Our voices have been heard.

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WriteGirl goes to Washington...Our voices have been heard.

Tomorrow, Friday, WriteGirl will go to the White House to receive the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the highest national honor awarded to such programs. Executive Director Keren Taylor and mentee Jacqueline Uy, age 16, will personally accept the award from First Lady Michelle Obama. 

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