Waltham High Teachers Take Trip to the White House

WALTHAM, MA – Two Waltham High School teachers got the star-spangled treatment earlier this week, as they visited the White House for the arrival of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Tuesday.

Cynthia Piantedosi and Jennifer Barsamian took part in the arrival ceremony, a tradition that stems back to the creation of an armed protective force. Throughout history, a foreign dignitary would be assigned the honor guard to protect them upon their arrival, though the location of the ceremony has changed under different presidential administrations.

President Truman held the ceremony at Washington National Airport with the military honor guard, but it was President Kennedy that brought it to the South Lawn of the White House, where it is held today.

President Obama and Prime Minister Renzi spoke about the friendship and bond between the two countries in front of the Italian and American flags before wading into the audience to shake hands with invited guests.

"I'm thinking about my parents who both immigrated to this country and how proud they were to call themselves American," Piantedosi, the assistant director of World Languages, said in a statement. "To see both flags side-by-side is a powerful moment."

Barsamian joked about Obama's attempts at Italian during his remarks.

"It was hard to hear his 'Buon Giorno!'" she said, according to a release. "I guarantee our students have better pronunciation!"

The trip was facilitated by a family friend of Piantedosi, who said she and Barsamian look forward to sharing the experience with their students.

Photo submitted by Jennifer Barsamian