First Posted: 4/4/2014
How do you top two Paralympic bronze medals and two “Best of U.S.” awards? By meeting the President of the United States, of course.
Olympic and Paralympic team members, including the Wyoming Area senior Stephanie Jallen, took an insider’s tour of the White House and the grounds on Thursday before an official East Room welcome from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
“Physically and mentally this just keeps us focused,” Jallen said in front of a few dozen reporters near the West Wing of the White House. “It keeps our heads on straight.”
Jallen, who travelled to the White House previously as a tourist and once to hear Michelle Obama speak, was introduced to the media, along with snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg, women’s hockey player Julie Chu and skier Jon Luhan, prior to the event in the East Room.
The day was the end of a long journey for the Harding native.
After collecting two medals in Sochi, Jallen was named the Female Athlete of the Paralympic Games at the Best of US Awards show on Wednesday evening. Her first run as a Paralympian, which got her bronze in the Super-G, was named the Best Moment of the Paralympics.
But for most of the two days in Washington, Jallen was in awe of her surroundings. She was rubbing elbows with Olympic champions and many other sports figures.
“The people around me are spectacular,” she said. “I’m just taking it all in right now.”
U.S. Olympic Committee director of communications introduced Jallen as a veteran to the press, although she is one of the youngest athletes on Team USA.
Once again, Jallen’s first remarks were about her hometown and the people who supported her.
“The important thing is, I have some role models,” she said when speaking about the support. “I’ve learned so much from them.”
White House staff and congressmen filled the East Room awaiting remarks from the Obamas. The First Lady took the microphone first, not forgetting to mention the terrible attacks at Fort Hood. There are nearly 20 Olympic and Paralympic athletes that served in the armed forces.
“I don’t know how you guys do it,” the she said. “You guys do crazy things.”
The event was much like many other presidential gatherings to championship teams at the White House, such as the Boston Red Sox earlier in the week.
But the presence of Paralympians, some of whom were injured while serving their country changed the tone of the day.
The President and First Lady were presented with Olympic and Paralympic flags signed by each member of Team USA. Opening Ceremonies flag bearer Chu and Closing Ceremonies flag bearer Lohan presented the flags.
