Nancy Pelosi: Update and Biography

Though the possibility of The Hillwood Herald interviewing democratic neighbor and speaker of the House is dimming, we have a renewed hope, now that our lovely Irene has sent another request for an appointment. But we understand that Nancy Pelosi is an active woman.

Born in 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, Mrs. Pelosi, now a San Francisco resident, is the most high-ranking women in the history of the country as the person third in command . An Italian-American, she is the youngest of Anunciata M. and politician Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. Because of her father's political background, Ms. Pelosi grew up seeing and hearing politics, and therefore, she might have been given an advantage. After graduating from the Institute of Notre Dame, she received a B.A. in political science from Trinity Washington University in Washington D.C., where she met her husband, Paul Frank Pelosi. Together, they had five children and now live around the corner from Hillwood.

Some of the $1.7 million from President Obama's recent fundraising trip here in San Francisco may go to Nancy Pelosi, as well as to other democratic candidates, but mainly for Barbara Boxer.

Next week, we will be interviewing Tony Long, a Hillwood graduate from the 1960s. The topic will be interviewing techniques, which we will hopefully use with Nancy Pelosi.

By Brigette W.

Sources: The New York Times, Wikipedia, KTVU

Ten Tips for Interviewing

Interviewing is the most significant way for reporters to get information. Like all of us here at The Hillwood Herald.

Here are the top eleven tips for interviewing:

• Schedule the interview ahead of time.
• Do some research on the person your interviewing.
• Say what is your name.
• Try to get the truth.
• Respect the person who your interviewing.
• Get to your interview early.
• Dress nicely for your interview.
• Write down all your question and ask to tape record them.
• Take some notes during the interview.
• Think of some answers you want to get.
• Be professional.

This is a professional interview with Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Walters. We are highlighting this not for the politics (it is from 2006) but for the interviewing techniques. Also, Nancy Pelosi is a neighbor to Hillwood. You can read more about her in Irene's story.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi

Hey Herald readers! How was your Christmas and New Year's? I hope it was good as mine was.

Anyway, I'm sure all of you know Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. She is well known for being the first female, Italian-American, and Californian to take on this governmental role.

Pelosi was born in Baltimore, Maryland, as the youngest in her family. She was involved in politics at a very early age. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., was the Mayor of Baltimore and a U.S. Congressman from Maryland. Along with such a political father, Pelosi's brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III was also mayor of Baltimore and a Democrat.

Pelosi graduated from Institute of Notre Dame and Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University). She met Paul Pelosi and when they got married, the couple moved first to New York then to California. After moving to California, she worked her way up to Democratic politics. She was at first elected as a party chairwoman in 1977. Then on 1987, Pelosi decided to run for political office.

Just a little information about this strong leader, who lives just around the corner from Hillwood Academic Day School...

Source: Wikipedia

Questions We Would Like to Ask Nancy Pelosi:
~What is your job like as the Speaker of the House of Representatives?
~Are you always traveling around the U.S. because of your job?

~Do you have a favorite part about your job?

~What do you like about San Francisco? Did anything change over the years?

~Are there any ways kids can get involved with politics?

~What influenced you to become involved with politics?

~Why did you decide to move to San Francisco?

~What is a typical day for you?

Nancy Pelosi: An Update

Student Assignment: Brigette

Irene reached out to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi earlier this week, to see if she could visit Hillwood. It would still be wonderful to have her come to the school for an interview with the upper-graders.

Write a news story explaining what she has been up to recently. The following links should be helpful in your research, and your big news hook is that President Barack Obama came to town on Tuesday to help Democratic candidates raise money for the upcoming campaign. The area (roads) around Hillwood were closed for his motor brigade.

Remember to include images and/or video in your post.

• Story about the presidents visit to Hillwood's neighborhood
• The New York Times page on Nancy Pelosi