Meeting the President
CSB student one of five outstanding youth to visit the Oval Office
February 1, 2013
Mai Tong Yang (in purple shirt) is a first-year peace studies and political science major from St. Paul, Minn.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Mai Tong Yang '16 was one of five outstanding youth from across the country to visit the White House.
College of Saint Benedict student Mai Tong Yang and four other outstanding youth from across the country visited the White House Oval Office on Jan. 28 for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet President Barack Obama.
Yang, a first-year peace studies and political science major from St. Paul, Minn., who graduated from Harding High School, is an 11-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, where she was named the 2012-13 Midwest Region Youth of the Year in July 2012. The Youth of the Year honor is awarded to club members who have overcome enormous odds and demonstrated leadership in the club and their community.
According to Yang, meeting Obama was something like she had expected.
"He looks and sounds just the videos and pictures," said Yang, who stood next to Obama during the ceremony. "He was very engaging and he took his time to answer our questions.
"I will always remember his advice, 'Dream big,' " she continued. "I have been dreaming big and I will continue to do so because, that's what we do at CSB/SJU, right?"
Learn more about the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Youth of the Year Award.