Poplar Bluff resident interns at White House during closing months

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Inside the gates of the White House grounds, the closing months of then-president Bush's second term were bittersweet for one Poplar Bluff resident.

Whitney Hampton joined the White House staff in mid-August for a four-month internship she describes as both exciting and sad. She was one of more than 3,000 to apply for 100 positions.

The 22-year-old was assigned to the president's correspondence office, one of the White House's largest departments. The correspondence office operates out of an office building within the White House compound.

Hampton's work included delivering letters to the White House for Bush's signature and working with Bush's transition team. She attended the arrivals of leaders from Ghana and Italy, worked at the annual Congressional Ball and saw history made when Albania and Croatia signed to become members of NATO.

"I am very glad and very proud to have served under President Bush," said Hampton, a 2004 Poplar Bluff High School graduate. "I think he has been a strong and courageous leader, with an excellent moral compass and steadfast principles. I thank him for his service and for keeping us safe in the years following 9/11."

Hampton met Bush one Sunday after Marine One returned him to the White House following a trip to Camp David. The crowd seen in photographs of the president arriving and departing from the White House is typically made up of staff members, Hampton said.

"He doesn't usually talk to people, it's so busy and hectic. This was the only time I was there that he did," she said. "When I saw that he was coming in our direction, I almost had a heart attack."

The moment was so exciting, Hampton said she can barely remember what was said. The president did make sure Hampton had a good photograph before continuing.

Her position in the White House was basically that of a floater, Hampton said.

In addition to delivering items to the West Wing, Hampton helped Bush's team pack as they prepared for the arrival of the new administration. All files had to be sorted, labeled and packed. Meeting the president

Smooth transition

After Barack Obama won the November election, Bush met with staff members, including interns, to say this would be the smoothest transition that had ever occurred at the White House, Hampton said.

"I got to meet [Bush] again at that. He got teary-eyed at the end and when he got done, the first lady gave him a hug and said, 'Good job, Bushy,'" Hampton said. "I'm glad that I was able to assist in his goal of a smooth transition, even if it was only cataloging material."

Following the 20-minute meeting, Hampton shook hands with the president. She thanked him for everything he had done.

"He leaned down to eye level with me and said, 'No, thank you for everything you have done," Hampton said. "One of the things I realized about the president was how much he cares about the country and how much he puts into everything."

In August, Hampton will start school at the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, seeking a juris doctorate and master's degree in economics.

Hampton's experiences at the White House have reinforced her desire to be involved in government.

"This gave me more direction and more focus," Hampton said, adding she wants a job where she can make things happen and help people.