BOSTON — Getting a moment away from online learning for public school students in Boston is welcome, however, it arrives.
The inauguration of Joseph Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president has a special meaning for students speaking with Boston 25 News at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester.
“She looks like me,” said seven-year-old Isabella Diaz, a first-grader from Dorchester who drew a picture of the White House on Inauguration Day.
Harris made history Wednesday as the first woman and to be sworn-in as vice president.
#BREAKING: Kamala Harris has been officially sworn in as vice president of the United States, becoming the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to serve.
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) January 20, 2021
Live Inauguration Day coverage continues --> https://t.co/6SFh7iHkbA pic.twitter.com/Fw0V8vi1Lk
These Boston Public Schools students were given a brief reprieve from lessons to watch some of the coverage of the inauguration from their learning pod inside the club.
“I’m really excited that Kamala’s going to be in the office not only as a woman but as a Black woman, too,” said Fatoumata Balde, a 6th grader.
While telling @marty_walsh she intends to run for President at an event about a year ago, young Fatoumata Balde says she offered some advice:
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) January 20, 2021
“I told him he needs to pronounce his R’s.” Our story on this bold 12-year-old and what she took from this Inauguration Day at 6 @boston25 pic.twitter.com/JnvyeBdHkM
Balde has some political aspirations of her own that came well before January 20, she told Boston Mayor Marty Walsh last year that she will run for United States Senate and eventually, president when she’s older. Harris’ swearing-in adds some additional motivation, Balde said.
“I’m going to run for @USSenate then after that, I’m going to run for President.” Fatoumata Balde, #Boston . And no, these goals didn’t come from the new @VP , this 12-year-old has eyed the Oval Office for some time. Meet her at 4 @boston25 pic.twitter.com/4M1Dmss0YA
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) January 20, 2021
“For them to just be able to see it and actually live in this moment it’s actually unimaginable,” said Jocelyn Sammy, a former Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester member who now oversees learning hubs at the club.
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