I am running for president

My name is Luly Rejtman, I'm twelve years old and the eldest daughter of Diego Rejtman. Since my dad is writing a book, I suggested collaborating with my own chapter, and as you can see, he agreed!

The story that I’m about to share with you began with my grandmother Marta.

It turns out that when my father was my age he loved playing videogames on his super old computer and dreamed of creating games like the ones made by big companies. At the time my grandmother suggested that he write a letter to one of those video game companies. But dad didn't just write a letter. He wrote lots!

And he got lots of replies! (That story is best told here)

Since I was a fan of Avi, author of books like Poppy, I too decided to write him a letter. And Avi responded three weeks later!

"Thanks for the letter. It makes me very happy that you enjoy my books so much."

Realizing I could get answers, I decided to go for even more. My next letter was sent to Kelly Wentworth, one of the participants of the reality TV show Survivor that my dad and I watch together (she lives in Seattle like me). And, it seems that I must be as lucky as my dad, because she also responded, even if it did take about four weeks.

Kelly told me that if I had liked the program so much I should also encourage myself to follow my dreams and participate in Survivor.

2 letters and 2 answers! Not bad!

Encouraged by these results, I decided to raise the bet and aim at the most important person I had ever dreamed of contacting: Mr. Barack Obama, the President of the United States.

The first three weeks went by and I didn’t get a response, but I reassured myself that it was still early because the President surely had plenty of letters to answer.

I had written asking him things like, how big is the White House? And, as a kid did you dream of becoming President? I also confided that one day I would like to be the first female President of the United States, etc.

Every couple of days I asked Mom to pass by our mailbox to check our correspondence, but the fourth week passed without any letter from the White House. I must admit that I began to worry because I had always taken the President seriously.

After the fifth week I still had no answer. It was now the sixth week and I was losing hope. I was about ready to give up when… a letter arrived!

Barack Obama himself wrote me:

Thanks for writing. I believe that you can pursue your dreams with the same conviction and possibilities as any young man or woman, regardless of how you look like or where you come from.

His words encouraged me and, a few months later, I ran for president of the 5th Grade. And guess what? I was chosen! (and my political career continued. Currently, I'm one of the four school representatives of Sixth Grade).

Just as my father's letters encouraged me, I hope that this story also encourages you to go for your dreams. In fact, I would like to challenge you to find something that inspires you and take a small step in that direction. Because small things can end up becoming great things.

It worked for my dad and it worked for me. That's why I think it can work for you too.

And to think that everything started with my grandmother Marta ... Did it start with my grandmother? Who did she learn it from? Because, just as the phrase that my dad loves states:

Meanwhile, I'm still excited about becoming the first female President of the USA... and thanks to the fact that I learned to connect with the people I admire, and the results of the last US elections, I still have a chance!

Written by Luly Rejtman, with Guillermo Echevarria