2008 Woodie Awards
UCF helps high school student meet with the president
Christine Harper
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
On the day of the meeting with Bush, the Stepps were given a tour of the West Wing, followed by a meeting with the president and the chance to speak with him for five to 10 minutes in the Oval Office. Bush, who was aware of the family's anxiety, reminded them that the Oval Office was the "people's office."
Bush then talked to Glenn and his family about his positive opinion on homeschooling - Glenn is homeschooled - his plans for retirement and his personal philosophy on running the country.
"We asked him how he gets up in the morning," Glenn said. "He said a lot of it has to do with prayer."
After Bush spoke to the Stepp family, he gave Glenn a tie clip and a signed baseball, much to Glenn's surprise. The Stepps said that Bush was very gracious and put them all at ease.
Now that Glenn has met the president, he's not sure if he wants to study politics when he attends Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., next fall.
He said that he doesn't think he could handle the stress of a high-profile job, but he's still interested in politics, particularly in political campaigns.
"I would like to get involved in campaigning, to help out the candidates," Glenn said.
Glenn, who has become a celebrity overnight, has advice for other young people: Ask for what you want.
"Don't stop short of what you want," he said. "I never would have thought meeting the president was possible, but since I had the courage to ask for it, I got to meet him."
"Dreams come true," Lisa Stepp added.
Bush then talked to Glenn and his family about his positive opinion on homeschooling - Glenn is homeschooled - his plans for retirement and his personal philosophy on running the country.
"We asked him how he gets up in the morning," Glenn said. "He said a lot of it has to do with prayer."
After Bush spoke to the Stepp family, he gave Glenn a tie clip and a signed baseball, much to Glenn's surprise. The Stepps said that Bush was very gracious and put them all at ease.
Now that Glenn has met the president, he's not sure if he wants to study politics when he attends Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., next fall.
He said that he doesn't think he could handle the stress of a high-profile job, but he's still interested in politics, particularly in political campaigns.
"I would like to get involved in campaigning, to help out the candidates," Glenn said.
Glenn, who has become a celebrity overnight, has advice for other young people: Ask for what you want.
"Don't stop short of what you want," he said. "I never would have thought meeting the president was possible, but since I had the courage to ask for it, I got to meet him."
"Dreams come true," Lisa Stepp added.