Promises unkept

My daughter, Nicolle Herzog, is a junior at DVHS and was recommended for the Presidential Classroom Inaugural 2009 program through the DV school district. We paid the $550 deposit/registration fee and Nicolle raised the remaining $1,795 tuition fee. In addition to the $2,345 we had to provide lunch money, spending money, a formal ball gown and professional attire for 5 days, and transportation costs, which we also paid for. This trip cost well over $3,000. She was promised a seat on the Capitol lawn for the Inauguration as well as a place on the parade route. None of which happened. And that’s not really my issue. I am a licensed Pa. Realtor, and I don’t think I have to tell you how hard times are right now and how we are living day to day. This trip was important to Nicolle because she has been invited to attend several of these programs in Washington and abroad, but it has not been in our budget. She worked very hard as an intern on the Pike County for Obama Campaign for several months and still maintained a 4.7 GPA and managed to get her homework done and found a few hours here and there to sleep. She is a 16-year-old who can’t even vote, but she felt a responsibility to have a voice and make a change in the government that will shape her future. And I applaud her commitment to service and dedication to her country at the tender age of 16. She deserved this experience and worked so hard for this trip, and she was betrayed and lied to by an organization that claims to have served the future leaders of our nation for almost 40 years. My issue is that they had no problem calling me back when they were waiting for Nicolle’s tuition money, but for the last two weeks, I can’t get a person on the phone and no one returns my messages or e-mails. This is wrong and they need to be exposed and held accountable. I would be grateful if someone would call or e-mail me for further details to warn other parents and students the chance they take to the tune of over $2,300 with this program. Please understand, I am not looking for a refund; I want them to explain to Nicolle and myself why nothing that was promised in writing was delivered and what they intend to do to make it up to her. She deserves that as a young American trying to change the world for the better. Connie Herzog Milford