WEST TOWN — Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton dropped in on a West Side elementary school Wednesday to encourage students to be better citizens.
The visit was the first stop of a nationwide tour to promote her new book, "It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, Get Going!" Aimed at pre-teens, the book outlines ways kids can make a mark on their communities and across the globe.
In her first public appearance since the book's Tuesday release, Clinton gave a short speech and answered questions for 90 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Mitchell Elementary School, 2233 W. Ohio St.
When she was their age, Clinton told them, she was inspired by the book "50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth." After reading it, she said, she started cutting the six-pack rings from soda cans to prevent them from trapping fish after being thrown away.
"We have a lot of big challenges in the world, whether it's climate change or girls not having the same rights as boys, and there are lots of little things all of us can do about it," Clinton told the students. She projected a list of suggestions, like "Don't take long showers," "Talk to babies" and "Cover your face when you sneeze."
Afterward more than a dozen students asked her pre-prepared questions, ranging from "What's the most challenging issue you've faced through the Clinton Initiative?" to "When you were living in The White House, did people like you for you?"
One student asked Clinton if she had ever been bullied when she was in school. Once during middle school gym class, she responded, a boy sat on top of her and refused to get off. When she pushed the boy away, she said, her teacher scolded her for being "not very ladylike."
"It was the first time I really realized how boys and girls are treated differently," Clinton said.
"I remember being so surprised when that happened, but in hindsight, I shouldn't have been," she added after the event. "So I hope by telling [students] about it, they can feel empowered to stand up for themselves in a non-aggressive but confident way."
Clinton's visit, some students said, made them consider how they could effect change where they live.
"I really just feel like going home now and starting to research causes I can get involved in, just to see what I can do," said 13-year-old James Cuevas. "And if kids reach out and start telling their parents about things they care about, that will definitely change some things too, maybe make them vote differently."
"Everyone should have a say in what's going on in the world, and I have a say, too," Cuevas added.
Mitchell's principal, Nicole Milberg, has been a personal friend of Clinton's since the two attended middle school together in Washington, D.C. When Milberg heard about Clinton's book, she said, she texted the author and asked her to speak at the elementary school.
"I remember she asked lots of questions in class, always challenged ideas, and loved to have debates with everyone and anyone," Milberg said of Clinton. "I hope after hearing her, [the students] came out thinking more about how they can be more engaged citizens.
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