Boys & Girls Club Teens Invited to Obama's Speech

As supporters of President Obama scramble to see him during his fundraising visit to the Bay Area Thursday, 15 teen leaders from the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco received a special invitation to hear him speak at the Masonic Center Thursday night.

Obama spoke after a concert by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell at 8 p.m. in the hall at 1111 California St.

Anticipating the speech, Joseph Armijo, 17, said that he would be watching Obama closely for insight on good public speaking.

"I'm pretty excited because watching some videos he really has a great presence when he's speaking," Armijo said. "I want to take that and
utilize it when I have to speak."

Armijo, a senior at El Camino High School in South San Francisco, has worked with the Boys & Girls Club for 11 years. "They've always been my support no matter what," he said.

Armijo said that he thinks Obama has opened up opportunities for people despite the persistent recession.

"He has created the jobs that we needed and opened up opportunities for people," Armijo said. "It's coming slowly, it's not going to come right away like the people would want."

"I'm very excited. In the beginning when he was elected president it was very empowering for me," said Jackie Fuller, 18, before the event.

Fuller, a senior at George Washington High School in San Francisco, has been involved in the Boys & Girls Club for 11 years and runs a girl's club for girls ages 6 to 12 to talk about the issues they face, including self-esteem and personality issues.

Called the "Gorgeous Girls," they also approach their problems through dance, a technique partially inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Fuller said that she thinks Obama's race makes him uniquely suited to lead the nation. "His mindset is different than any other president that came before him," she said.

She said that while some may be frustrated with things Obama has not accomplished, she thinks he is moving the country in the right direction.

"In the years he has been in the White House he has made major changes and we should focus on that," she said.

But Antonio Sanchez, 17, a senior at City Arts and Technology in San Francisco said he wishes the president would do more to provide opportunities for those who are struggling.

"I want to see what he's going to do for the people instead of making it a celebrity thing," Sanchez said.

Sanchez has worked with the Boys & Girls Club on Treasure Island for five years and works with the young children there. He's "basically a big brother," he said.

He is concerned about supporting immigrants, ending war and crowded prisons, and giving lower-income people a track to opportunity through education.

"Are we going to give any other outlet other than sending people to prison?" Sanchez asked.

He said that the costs of college are holding people back, and that he wishes the president would do more to make education affordable. "I want to go to college, but is it worth the loans?" he said.

Ivana Carroll, 18, a senior at June Jordan School for Equity in San Francisco's Excelsior District said, "I can't wait to hear what Obama has
to say."

"I feel he's done a lot for us now. I hope he gets reelected because I feel he has more changes to make," she said.

She said she thinks some may have become disheartened with the president but "they should have faith like they did before."

Carroll has worked with the Boys & Girls Club for over seven years and volunteers at "power hours" helping young children with their homework.

"Us at the Boys & Girls Club are here to support him," Carroll said.

-Bay City News