SPRINGFIELD—First Lady Patti Blagojevich today hosted a mock press conference for 4^th grade students from Harristown Elementary School at the Executive Mansion.  This marks the 36^th anniversary of the event, started by Jeff Deremiah, a retired language arts teacher at Harristown Elementary.  Prior to retiring, Deremiah had been bringing his “student reporters” to the Capital City to meet with Governors’ wives since 1970.  The tradition continued this year with teachers Mary Sobek and Beckie Poole.

Students “represented” different news organizations ranging from the New York Times to Entertainment Weekly.  Questions were very diverse, varying from students asking Mrs. Blagojevich what her favorite activity to do with her daughters is, to what her favorite movie is.