Wheaton HS Student Shares Experiences as a White House Mentee

Meet Adriana Carmona, a 17-year-old senior at Wheaton High School. Carmona was one of the 13 Wheaton High School students at the Q&A with Michelle Obama at Georgetown University on November 8--but unlike the other students, this wasn’t the first time Carmona had met the first lady.

Carmona has participated in the White House mentoring program for young women since November 2009, when it was launched by Michelle Obama. Every month the program brings together mentors with mentees who were nominated by their schools. Carmona said that she sees the first lady almost every month, and last year, Carmona interned in the first lady’s office.

Carmona is very close with her mother, who has encouraged her in school. “Once I get through college, I want to be paying for her instead of her paying for me,” Carmona said. “I want to pay her back so she won’t have to be working so hard. “

Patch sat down with Carmona to ask her about Tuesday’s college immersion event, her interactions with the first lady and her plans for the future.

Patch: What did you ask Michelle Obama at the Q&A on Tuesday?
Carmona: My question was, “How can you help high school seniors move on into their college life?” She asked, “What do you mean?” And I said, “Transitions, because some people like me want to stay home and be near their mom.” And she told me not to be afraid, because I am afraid. She said, “I know you’re going somewhere because you have to go somewhere.” That motivated me to look out of state instead of staying in-state for college. At the end she said “If you need help, if you want help, you can always talk to me” so I felt comfortable and more motivated.

How did the other Wheaton HS students react to meeting Michelle Obama?
Most of them, they kept on looking at the door and saying "Is she coming?" and once they saw her they were very happy. They actually got to hug her and take pictures with her so that got them very excited. They said to me, "We’re so jealous that you get to come and see her every month."

What have been the main advantages of doing the White House mentoring program?
Meeting new people, particularly famous people. We went to the Supreme Court and met Supreme Court justices, and we met Hillary Clinton. For Barack Obama’s birthday basketball game, we all got to meet the basketball players. We always get pictures. Those are good memories.

Does the mentoring program continue once you graduate high school?
Yes, but if you’re out of state, it’s more difficult. You’re always welcome though. You’re still part of the program.

How does it feel to be in this mentoring program and be going to White House events?
It doesn’t feel like you’re in a strange place. It feels like home. I feel comfortable, I feel welcome.

Has your experience as a mentee inspired you to mentor others?
Yes, I am a mentor in the National Honor Society at Wheaton High School.

Where have you applied for college?
University of Maryland (College Park), to the engineering school. I applied early action. But now Michelle Obama has given me the inspiration to apply to out-of-state schools.