Recently, SHS’s very own Jeralyn Mire traveled to Washington D.C. to represent Idaho at Michelle Obama’s final speech.

Last year, she was chosen by the Idaho School Counselor Association as the counselor of the year. After going through a vetting process including submitting a video, she was chosen to go to D.C.

“It was so cool to be at the White House. Just the history, and Michelle Obama was lovely and genuine and knows what a high school counselor does, it was really impressive,” Mire said.

Almost everyone in Sandpoint was soon aware of the event, because Mire was standing right behind Obama during her speech. According to Mire, it was pure luck. After passing the multiple security checkpoints, she, along with the other counselors of the year, organized themselves in a room off to the side before entering the hall.

“She addressed us and then we went to another space and lined up by height, and then we went in and walked on the risers and it was like ‘Oh my gosh! I’m right here. I better not faint, I better not… itch my nose!” Mire said.

In addition to Obama’s speech, Mire took part in further activities with the other counselors.

“They had a really neat dinner for us that night at Union Station. They took us around in a big bus that said ‘High School Counselor of the year’ on it. It was super fun!” Mire said.

Mire loved her experience in D.C. and felt very lucky to experience the event in person.
“It was inspiring, it was absolutely amazing, it was kind of unbelievable that I was there representing Idaho,” Mire said.