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While many will be seated in their living rooms this evening to watch President Obama's speech detailing his new jobs plan, a Crookston High School graduate who made the most of a youth employment program right here in Crookston will be in the audience, watching the speech with First Lady Michelle Obama.
"I still can't believe it," Gracey Ibarra told the Times Wednesday. The 2009 CHS graduate was making one stop after another around town hours before her flight, accompanied by Tracy Smith, who works with the Inter-County Community Council. Ibarra had just gotten her hair done and had purchased a new outfit for the "most exciting trip" of her life.
It was Ibarra's involvement in the council's Youth Employment Program that got her noticed as one of 24 potential representatives of similar programs from across the country to go to Washington, D.C. and spend the day with the first lady before witnessing the president's speech tonight. Through the program, she attended classes to become a certified nurses' aide at no cost, and in 2009 became a CNA. She's been a CNA at RiverView Care Center for two years. "The program paid off," she said. "I love it."
Smith was Ibarra's advisor and was so impressed with her attitude, performance and determination that she wrote a "short bio piece" on Ibarra and sent it to the State of Minnesota. Someone noticed it at the U.S. Department of Labor and Ibarra's story was forwarded to the White House, Smith said Wednesday. "She was recognized as someone who Michelle Obama might want to meet," Smith added.
Late last week, someone from the State of Minnesota called Smith, looking for Ibarra. Soon, the White House called Ibarra, who said she wasn't convinced the call was real, especially when the person on the other end of the line asked for her Social Security number. "I thought I was being pranked," she said.
Understanding her hesitation, the White House caller gave her a number to call back. "I eventually knew it was the real deal," Ibarra said.
Ibarra, mother to a 3 1/2 year old son, Jonathan, and 16-month-old daughter, Mackenzie, will be accompanied on her trip by Betty Halvorson, director of the Inter County Community Council Youth Employment Program. She said she's not sure if she'll actually meet President Obama, but she has a full agenda with First Lady Michelle, including lunch and some photos.
"We're very excited for Gracey and proud of her," Smith said. "She's earned this opportunity."
While many will be seated in their living rooms this evening to watch President Obama's speech detailing his new jobs plan, a Crookston High School graduate who made the most of a youth employment program right here in Crookston will be in the audience, watching the speech with First Lady Michelle Obama.
"I still can't believe it," Gracey Ibarra told the Times Wednesday. The 2009 CHS graduate was making one stop after another around town hours before her flight, accompanied by Tracy Smith, who works with the Inter-County Community Council. Ibarra had just gotten her hair done and had purchased a new outfit for the "most exciting trip" of her life.
It was Ibarra's involvement in the council's Youth Employment Program that got her noticed as one of 24 potential representatives of similar programs from across the country to go to Washington, D.C. and spend the day with the first lady before witnessing the president's speech tonight. Through the program, she attended classes to become a certified nurses' aide at no cost, and in 2009 became a CNA. She's been a CNA at RiverView Care Center for two years. "The program paid off," she said. "I love it."
Smith was Ibarra's advisor and was so impressed with her attitude, performance and determination that she wrote a "short bio piece" on Ibarra and sent it to the State of Minnesota. Someone noticed it at the U.S. Department of Labor and Ibarra's story was forwarded to the White House, Smith said Wednesday. "She was recognized as someone who Michelle Obama might want to meet," Smith added.
Late last week, someone from the State of Minnesota called Smith, looking for Ibarra. Soon, the White House called Ibarra, who said she wasn't convinced the call was real, especially when the person on the other end of the line asked for her Social Security number. "I thought I was being pranked," she said.
Understanding her hesitation, the White House caller gave her a number to call back. "I eventually knew it was the real deal," Ibarra said.
Ibarra, mother to a 3 1/2 year old son, Jonathan, and 16-month-old daughter, Mackenzie, will be accompanied on her trip by Betty Halvorson, director of the Inter County Community Council Youth Employment Program. She said she's not sure if she'll actually meet President Obama, but she has a full agenda with First Lady Michelle, including lunch and some photos.
"We're very excited for Gracey and proud of her," Smith said. "She's earned this opportunity."
