11-year-old to meet in-coming president

By Josh Eiserike

Published: August 9, 2008

President McCain, President Obama, it doesn't matter: 11-year-old Déja Nell will be at his inauguration.

"I'm hoping that I'll meet Barack Obama," said Déja of Triangle. (Although if McCain wins, that would be cool, too).

Déja, who will start sixth grade at Potomac Middle School in Dumfries next month, has been selected to be an Inaugural Scholar in the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference. This means she'll get to meet all sorts of Washington brass like White House officials, congressional staff and others. She'll also get to attend the inaugural ball and possibly shake the new president's hand, she said.

But, this doesn't come without a price tag. Déja needs to raise $2,440 by the end of September.

In order to raise this money Déja wrote a kids cookbook, "Kids in the Kitchen," which features 150 simple recipes that kids could make without much supervision.

She's signing copies today at 2 p.m. in front of D'Vine Barber Shop in Woodbridge.

"I've seen a lot of cook books that are difficult for kids, then a lot of ones that are like 'cereal and milk'," Déja said. This book falls somewhere in between, she said.

The book includes recipes for meals like fettuccini Parmesan and a "kiddie cocktail" (cranberry juice, soda and a maraschino cherry).

"I think it tastes like wine," Déja said. "I've never had wine before."

The recipes come from family members, the Internet and the library. The money raised covers housing, transportation, meals and other conference materials. So far Déja has raised $900 selling the cookbooks, but $500 of which covered the cost of publication. $2040 to go.

"We'll help her out, but I think for her, as well as she's been doing with these books, she'll be able to do it," Déja's mother, Cindy Nell, said. "She's a pretty aggressive salesperson… I'm trying to teach her the value of the opportunities that are before her… I don't think she'll appreciate them as much if she doesn't have to put in any effort."

Nell added that working toward a goal like this is a life lesson for her daughter.

Déja was eligible for the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference due to her involvement with the National Young Scholars Program. Teachers at her school nominated her for the National Young Scholars Program. Last summer she attended a weeklong leadership program in Bethesda, Md., where she had to take responsibility to make sure she was up, at breakfast and to class on time.

"I'm a leader, not a follower," Déja said. "I like having ideas and putting them out to other people."

She said she's hoping to be an actress, chef, lawyer or singer when she grows up. For now, though, she's looking forward to the inauguration. And, there's more at stake than just shaking President Obama or President McCain's hand.

"There's this boy who's going, too," Déja said. "And, since it's going to be a ball and he's very cute… yeah."

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072.

WANT TO DONATE?

What's up: 11-year-old Déja Nell sells and signs her children's cookbook "Kids in the Kitchen"

When: Today at 2 p.m.

Where: D'Vine Styles & Cuts, 17080 Jefferson Davis Highway, Dumfrie

Book stats: 75 pages; 150 recipes; $15

Contact: , or 703-221-4100

Additional info: The Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, cylc.org/jrpyic