September/October - 1 9 9 8 Marianna & Bill

Teaching the President

President Clinton knows how to sign "President"-thanks to Marianna Devenow-Richey, a 12-year-old deaf student from Northfield, Minnesota, who taught the President the sign during a visit to Washington, D.C.

Marianna came to Washington D.C. with her mother Pearl Devenow. Mrs. Devenow had been named as the best teacher of Mara Hvistendahl, a hearing student who was being honored by President Clinton with other top scholars in the United States. Marianna attended the ceremony for Mara and the other scholars in the White House. She enjoyed the celebration from the front row, where she sat with Mara and their families to see the sign language interpreter.

When the ceremony was over, President Clinton shook everyone's hand. After he shook their hands, Marianna looked at her mother.

"Do you think President Clinton would sign my travel journal?" she asked.

Her mother shook her head.

"He's so busy!" she said. "And there are so many people around him!"

"I would really like him to sign it!" said Marianna.

"Well, go ahead and try," her mother urged. "But I doubt he'll be able to do it."

Marianna inched her way forward in the crowd and caught President Clinton's eye. He said something to her, but Marianna didn't understand.

"She's deaf," her mother explained coming up behind her daughter. Mrs. Devenow explained that Marianna wanted the President to sign the journal.

President Clinton nodded.

"I'll sign the journal," he said. "Give it to the Secret Service man. Then wait until after the ceremony is finished."

Mrs. Devenow nodded and handed the journal to the Secret Service man.

The President turned to Marianna, and gave her a thumbs up sign.

After the ceremony, Marianna, Mara, their mothers, and Mara's father and brother were waiting for the President patiently when a Presidential assistant appeared.

"It's so hot out here," said the assistant. "Why don't you wait for the President inside?"

With increasing excitement, the two girls and their families were led into the White House.

"I was so nervous in my heart!" Marianna remembered.

Finally Clinton appeared. He recognized Mara again for her scholarship then turned to Marianna.

Marianna told President Clinton that she was born in South America and proud to be an American citizen.

Then she asked President Clinton if he would like to learn the sign language for president.

President Clinton said that he would love to learn sign language and asked Marianna to show him the sign.

Then the President tried to make the sign himself. The first time he tried, his hands went the wrong way.

"He tried four times and got it wrong," said Marianna. But on the fifth time, bingo. His hands made the right shapes, went out in the right direction, to the right place, and in the right position.

For the first time in his life, the President had signed President.

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