Seniors Connect with the White House

Channel 8TV recorded MSSD students getting ready for the press conference. The students participated from their classroom using videoconferencing technology. Students learned about the new National First Ladies' Library which will spotlight achievements of America's first ladies and other important women.

Students were on-line live with the East Room at the White House 30 minutes before the press conference began. They had the opportunity to watch the preparations as TV crews and computer technicians set up equipment and the white house staff organized the press conference. The speaker's podium is visible on the television with chairs where first lady Hillary Clinton and special guests will be seated.

Sign Interpreter Mary Thumann stands behind the Elmo video camera which is pointed at the MSSD students. The lower TV shows the students the view of themselves as it is seen at the White House. On the large television White House staff can be seen coordinating the set-up for the press conference.

The National First Ladies' Library's virtual centerpiece is a comprehensive, annotated bibliography of over 40,000 books, manuscripts, journals, diaries and other materials about and by the first ladies. Students prepare to watch first lady Hillary Clinton who will access the Library's new Internet website for the first time during this press conference.

Teacher Mary Ellsworth (seated in the black chair) monitors the videoconference through NorTel videoconferencing software from the computer. Students observe as first lady Hillary Clinton opens the press conference. As she introduced each participating institution, viewers in the white house audience watched on a large screen showing the four on-line participants. Students waved to Mrs. Clinton as she noted their participation.

Students watched as guest speakers described the extensive reference materials now available on-line. First lady Hillary Clinton and other speakers told remarkable anecdotes about the roles that America's first ladies have played in our nation's history.

Described as a library of the future that will focus on women of the past, the National First Ladies' Library's first ever comprehensive on-line bibliographic database is available internationally on the World Wide Web. MSSD students were invited by the first lady to access the site and explore, and in doing so were recorded as one of the first hits on the brand new website.

Go to the National First Ladies' Library

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