Sitting in the middle of an afterschool Ethics Bowl meeting, Student Council President Daniel Carrillo received an unexpected call that turned out to be an experience he would never forget. Principal Nancy Rousseau called Carrillo to let him know he had been chosen to represent the school at Crystal Bridges and meet with former President Barack Obama.

“I could only think of one thing: wow. In my mind, I was either gonna be the only one meeting him, or there were gonna be 20 people meeting him,” Carrillo said. “I got an email from Crystal Bridges, which read, ‘You’re one of three in the state to represent the Arkansas Youth Hall to moderate this panel with Barack Obama.”

Monday, Dec. 1, Crystal Bridges hosted “Building Bridges: A Conversation with President Obama” and invited middle schools from districts across Arkansas, three prominent students, and their respective guests. As Danny and the other two students were waiting in the auditorium, Obama arrived and introduced himself to all the other guests.

“We just started shaking, and we were all nervous because it hit us in full panic. They told [us] to just wait a minute, and wait for him to finish meeting everyone else, and then he’ll come to you guys,” Carrillo said.

The panel consisted of the student representatives, Obama, and a moderator from Crystal Bridges, all positioned on stage and facing an audience of young middle school students. For Carrillo, being the student council president of a historically significant and widely known school, resonated with the former president’s long standing alignment of supporting marginalized communities by fighting for equity, justice, and civil rights.

“Him and I were talking about how we’re the first of something to be presidents. My campaign was that I would be the first Hispanic immigrant president of our high school, making history in a historic place,” Carrillo said.

Carrillo expressed his love for the diversity within the student body, specifically the multiple cultures, languages, and traditions celebrated from all over the world.

“Central is all about the family that we have, it’s not just white, we’re not just black. It’s everyone, everyone coming together,” Carrillo said. “So I was so proud to represent Central and bring my culture to the table.”

After experiencing such a rewarding encounter with Obama, Carrillo urges students to step up and use their time wisely to make a difference within their community, no matter how small or large of an impact. As the panel described their community initiatives and passions, Obama commended their dedication to serving others at such a young age.

“I feel like people need to realize that you’re never too young and you’re never too old, or you’re never too poor or too rich to make a difference. You do need to put the work in, and for me, I knew I actually wanted to help my community out,” Carrillo said.

When reflecting on his own experiences in youth, Obama emphasized the importance of enjoying life while still making a difference.

“Obama was saying that when he was younger, he was playing around and wished he could have done more. But you know, that’s what being a kid is all about. You can’t be perfect all the time, you can have fun, but you can also make a difference,” Carrillo said.

In a similar sentiment, Student Council Sponsor Scott Hairston, from the audience, admired Obama emphasizing the need for future generations to go out and experience life instead of being indulged in technology.

“He encouraged the students to hang out with friends outdoors off the phones and he followed up by saying, ‘Read some old fashioned books,’” Hairston said. “And as an English teacher, that was something to resonate with.”

Hairston said one of his favorite moments for students to take away was when the former president reminisced on his own childhood and congratulated the middle schoolers and the Youth Hall for being a politically active and involved generation.

“[Obama said] ‘when I was your age, you know, I wasn’t thinking about politics.’ He was thinking about basketball and growing up in Hawaii; he was surfing,” Hairston said. “He told the kids how ahead they are, especially because this generation is more politically aware and engaged, as compared to other generations at that age. I think if I were a young person hearing that, it would be very encouraging.”