Roving Reporter: Kids Display Knowledge About First Lady

January 31, 1985|by ERVIN L. HAWK, The Morning Call

Every four years, inauguration ceremonies are held on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C., for the man who will serve as our president the next four years.

Ronald Wilson Reagan, our 39th president, was given the oath of office at a private ceremony at noon Sunday, Jan. 20, in the White House, and then a public inauguration ceremony was held at noon the following day in the Rotunda of the Capitol. The inauguration was held indoors because of the severe cold weather, and it was only the second time that the ceremony had to be held indoors.

Accompanying the president in the White House is his wife, Nancy, "The First Lady."

The "First Lady" can also be a relative who acts as the president's hostess if he is not married or if his wife is ill.

Lucy Hayes, the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, our 19th president, was the first wife of a president to be called "The First Lady."

Abigail Adams, the wife of President John Adams, our second president, was the first "First Lady" to live in the White House.

Helen Taft, the wife of President William H. Taft, our 26th president, is given credit for the beautiful flowering cherry trees in our nation's capital. At her request, the mayor of Tokyo, Japan, presented more than 3,000 cherry trees to the people of our country while Mrs. Taft resided in the White House from 1909 through 1913.

In an effort to learn whether the school children paid any attention to what was taking place in Washington this month, Neighbors' Roving Reporter- Photographer went to the 5th grade class of Michael J. Siddlow of the Mahoning Valley Elementary School of the Lehighton Area School District and questioned them about "The First Lady."

It was encouraging to learn that 20 of the 25 boys and girls in the class knew that Nancy Reagan is the "First Lady."

Sara Nansteel and Daniel Frey said they knew the "First Lady" had to be the president's wife, but did not know her name.

Bruce Troutman thought the "First Lady's" name was "Nancy Ross;" Karla Costenbader thought the Statue of Liberty was called the "First Lady," while Melissa Beblavy said Martha Washington was the "First Lady."

Twenty-three of the students said that in order become the "First Lady," you had to be married to the president, or if he did not have a wife, be a relative of the president.

But Michelle Jennings said, "The way you get the job is that you have to do a lot of hard work to get it," while Karla Costenbader said, "In order to become the First Lady, you must be voted to the position."

Asked how long a person can continue to be the "First Lady?" the students gave a variety of opinions.

Costenbader thought a person held the job for 30 years; while Jennings said, "For a couple of years."

Sharon Frantz, Sara Gilbert and Jeffrey Steigerwalt said they thought the person held the job "as long as their husband is the president."

Melissa Beblavy said, "You will be the First Lady for ever;" and Kerry Behler said, "Until she dies."

Denise Muthard, Ryan Brownmiller, Laura Solt and Christy Dreher said they thought the First Lady held the position "four or eight years, according to how long her husband is president."

Thomas Schock was of the opinion that every president is in office for two terms, because he said "eight years."

The other 13 boys and girls all thought a person held the position of "First Lady" for only four years.

Mrs. Reagan, the current "First Lady," was born in New York on July 6, 1923, but was raised in Chicago. She graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts.

She was an actress in Hollywood when she met her husband, Ronald Reagan.

Mrs. Reagan is said to be a busy "First Lady." She is very interested in the foster grandparents program, which helps senior citizens work with handicapped children and juvenile delinquents. She also is very interested in fighting drug abuse and does a lot of traveling with the president.

Her favorite flower is the lily of the valley; red is her favorite color, and her hobbies are horseback riding and canoeing with the president. Herfavorite television show is "60 Minutes."

The Secret Service uses the code name "Rainbow" when referring to Mrs. Reagan, while the president's code name is "Rawhide."

Morning Call Articles