Rolling Meadows students meet first lady

A group of Rolling Meadows High School students visiting Washington, D.C. got the surprise of a lifetime Thursday when they met first lady Michelle Obama and first dog Bo during a guided tour of the White House.

The group of seven students and their advisers — part of the Rolling Meadows debate team — were taking the regular tour of the White House when Mrs. Obama decided to come out and surprise the tourists.

“It was really unexpected, but it was great,” said Harsha Sanekommu, a junior at Rolling Meadows.

Sanekommu said he was nervous to introduce himself, but thinks that being on the debate team helped him calm his nerves, speak professionally and feel comfortable talking to the first lady.

“She was really gentle and friendly, and taller then I would have imagined,” he said.

The first lady's height and the fluffiness of first dog Bo stood out to the group, but the whole experience is something they said they'll remember forever.

Although the students couldn't get a picture with the first lady because cameras are not allowed in the White House, the students have been calling home and posting on Facebook to brag about their exciting day.

When the group told the first lady they were from the Chicago area her mood visibly brightened, glad to meet a few students from back home, the students said.

As the group was leaving, Mrs. Obama told them this country needs more great debaters, a comment they said was encouraging and exciting to hear.

Other members of the debate team that met the first lady included Sean Dahlgren, Gabriel Razich, David Weiker, Roman Voskoboynikov and Alex Beck.

“It was a good time,” said Anthony Leone, a senior at Rolling Meadows. “It's not everyday you meet the first lady.”