What so proudly she hails
Fourteen-year-old Laura Elfman says she learned a few things about standing up for herself and for her country.
She is the Wagar High School student who was booed when she appeared on stage with the United States flag during the school's recent parade of flags.
"Don't let people mess around," she said, looking confident and determined as she responded to a reporter's questions yesterday.
And if it ever happens to you - that people boo your flag, too - don't let it stop you the next time, the U.S.-born Grade 8 student recommended.
"Try it again, because you will feel better. It makes you feel strong," she said.
Good girl. She says last year she cried, but she got up there again this year and said:
"'Hi, my name is Laura,' and when people were booing, I was talking over them (into the microphone), and I said, 'and I'm very, very proud to be holding the United States of America flag.' "
The school called her mother, asking her to keep Laura from being interviewed, but Laura was determined:
"I wanted to say what I wanted to say. Everybody else had their part. Why don't they want to hear from the person who actually got booed?"
So she showed up for the interview in her new sequined U.S.-flag running shoes.
She'll be moving back to Florida next year from Montreal and we'll be glad to have her back.
Posted by floridacracker at March 29, 2004 09:04 PM