By Lu Levinson
KidScoop, Media
Correspondent
June 1st, 2024 was an overcast day, with a chill in the air. My dad and I drove to LAX to interview Vice President Kamala Harris. We arrived at the parking lot at 10:34 a.m. We quickly went through security before being handed a Pride flag.
There were two buses waiting to drive us to a secluded part of the tarmac. Excitement was in the air as everyone chatted lively. The ride wasn’t long before the bus doors opened and everyone got out at remote gate 409, where we waited for hours, standing in front of the metal fences placed by the Secret Service.
While everyone waited, two Airmen with the words “Special Air Missions” labeled on their jumpsuits brought out a briefcase packed with VP commemorative coins and bottle openers. They sold them to a handful of people. Two K9 officers passed the crowd as their dogs sniffed for any threats.
At 12:46 p.m., a 10-vehicle motorcade pulled up in front of Air Force Two, with two ambulances, and a bomb squad vehicle. The crowd shrieked in excitement and started chanting, “Madame VP, Madame VP…,” all the while snapping pictures and waving their Pride flags proudly.
Vice President Harris approached and started to shake hands, greet, and take pictures with the crowd. She didn’t rush, as you would expect most in her position to. She took her time, making sure to get to everyone. Soon, she got to me.
“What’s your hidden talent?” I asked, as she bent down and looked at me directly in the eyes.
“Well, it’s not a hidden talent since I do it with my family, but I like to cook,” she smiled at me. Not a fake smile, but sincere, warm, and genuine, as she took my hand in hers.
“Thank you,” I replied, noting how incredibly soft her hands were, reminding me of silk pillows you could find at Nordstrom. I continued to stare at her while she made her way down the crowd. I noticed her giving full attention to everyone she encountered, all the while with a big smile on her face. I could tell that she was unique.
I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to meet the Vice President at this Pride event, and to share it in this great publication.
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Kamala shares favorite LA Restaurant
Mateo Ariza,
Age 10
It was a cloudy day as I arrived at the LAX airport to meet Vice President Harris before she departed on Air Force Two, headed to Seattle, WA. There was excitement in the air as June 1st kicked off the first day of Pride Month. Everyone was dressed in colorful clothing and waving pride flags. While waiting for Vice President Harris to arrive, the three Kids Scoop Media reporters took a photo with Pickle, who is West Hollywood’s inaugural Drag Laureate. We also took a photo with David Hogg, who helped create March for Our Lives. Right before the Vice President arrived we met Officer Winston and his K9 as they walked by and were able to give the K9 a quick pet and say hello.
Vice President Harris arrived in a motorcade of 10 vehicles. Before boarding Air Force Two, Vice President Harris stopped to talk to members of the crowd. She took a little extra time when she stopped and talked with the three Kids Scoop Media reporters. The Vice President kindly greeted me by asking how I was doing and what my question was. I asked her what her favorite restaurant in Los Angeles was. She replied, “Well, you know, there’s one place in LA that I love, El Cholo. Do you know El Cholo?”. I love El Cholo and eat there often with my family.
As the Vice President walked towards Air Force Two, the crowd was chanting “Madam VP” and “Happy Pride”. She paused after climbing the stairs to wave to the crowd. The engines roared and the doors closed, the airplane sped down the runway and took off disappearing into the clouds. While waiting for the bus to take us back I talked with two Secret Service Agents. I asked one agent if the Vice President also had her own special M&M’s on Air Force Two, and he said she did. I wished I had asked sooner in case they would have shared a box with me. I took a photo with the second Secret Service Agent and he joked with me about liking my jacket and wanting to trade coats. It was an honor to have the opportunity to meet and speak with Vice President Kamala Harris and I am glad that I attended this event.
Left
KidScoop correspondent Lu Levinson is photographed against a backdrop of Air Force Two.
Right
KidScoop correspondent Mateo Ariza is all smiles at LAX on June 1, when Vice President Kamala Harris visited LA.
Photos by Michelle Mayans