By Sophia Chang
Amanda won an essay contest sponsored by state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Bayside). Her winning entry answered the contest's question, “What non-political person do you believe would make a great president of the United States?,” by comparing her mother Sheri's role and duties to those of the president's.
“Being a mom is hard already, but being a great mom is exceptionally hard,” Amanda said. “Being a mom compares to all the stuff a president would do.”
“I was very excited, very happy,” Sheri Menichini said. “I couldn't believe she won out of the whole region.”
Her essay won her a trip to the state Assembly in Albany, where Weprin “relinquished his role as the legislator for the 24th A.D.” for the day on May 19.
The trip to the capitol “was really cool,” Amanda said. “Usually when people go there they think it's going to be really boring, but it wasn't.”
In Albany, Weprin introduced his replacement to his staff, and Amanda, who attends PS 186 in Bellerose, met with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), Majority Leader Paul Tokasz (D-Buffalo), and Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue.
Weprin enjoyed his time with Amanda. “It was a lot of fun. She was delightful and very charming,” Weprin said. “We do this every year, in order to get involved with the schools, and let students know that government is not a distant entity, but that they can get close to it.” He said that the essay contest is in its 8th year.
Despite her propensity for politics, Amanda, who is her school's student organization president, has not yet decided if she wants to stay in the field.
“It's hard. You're letting other people decide what you're going to do in life,” she said. “I don't like that.”
Reach reporter Sophia Chang by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
