Michelle Torres, a third-grade student at South Shaver Elementary, poses a question to former first lady Barbara Bush (TV monitor, inset) as her classmates eagerly wait for Mrs. Bush's reply.
When her turn came Thursday morning, Michelle
Torres stood up on cue and asked her question clearly and without hesitation. The woman on the receiving end was just as succinct in her reply.
This wasn't just any kids' inquiry, however.
Torres, a third-grader at South Shaver Elementary, delivered her question to Barbara Bush, the former first lady.
"What book did you enjoy writing more? Your memoir? Or Millie's book?"
Torres' question was one of nearly 20 directed at Mrs. Bush during a video conference originating from the Bush Library in College Station.
"Mrs. Bush's Story Time" was shown to elementary students across the state and streamed to classrooms around the Pasadena ISD.
Some 130 South Shaver third-graders gathered in the school library at 10 a.m. to listen to Mrs. Bush read aloud stories of former first ladies - and to watch as Torres, sitting up front, became a participant.
Mrs. Bush replied that her memoir was easy to write because she has always enjoyed keeping diaries. But, she said, her book about Millie, the family dog during the Bushes' White House years, was fun because of all the naughty things the springer spaniel did while roaming the executive mansion.
The Bush family was so fond of Millie, the dog was given a human name - Mildred "Millie" Kerr Bush.
Millie is actually credited as the author of Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. The dog died in 1997 at the age of 12, four years after the Bushes left the White House. A dog park in Houston is named in her honor.
South Shaver also participated in the event in 2009 with a student selected to ask a question.
Torres' mother, Claudia Rodriguez, was on hand for the event, as was her teacher, Alicia Gaytan.
Michelle Torres and her schoolmates listen to Mrs. Bush's answer to Michelle's question.
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Third-graders at South Shaver pack the library to watch Mrs. Bush's video conference.
Michelle and her mother, Claudia Rodriguez, after Michelle's opportunity to offer a question to Mrs. Bush (on TV monitor, right.)
