Hard work, dedication and determination are some of many characteristics that led a man from rural Mississippi to the the Oval Office.
Daniel Roberts, public policy leadership junior at The University of Mississippi, landed an internship at the White House this semester that puts him one step closer to achieving his dream of success.
The selection process entailed rigorous judgment based on the applicant’s commitment to public service, leadership in the
community and commitment to the mission of the Obama administration.
Roberts is humbled and enthusiastic after being selected for this internship.
“One of the most exciting things about being selected for the White House internship program is having the opportunity to serve under the first candidate I have ever campaigned for,” Roberts said.
Roberts said that in 2008, as a sophomore in high school, he became energized by President Obama’s “Yes, we can” slogan
and worked diligently for the cause by giving out numerous signs and helping his father register citizens to vote.
The internship takes a select group of young men and women from across the country who will dedicate themselves to bettering the White House and the community.
Roberts currently participates in conducting White House research, managing incoming inquiries, attending various meetings, writing memos and staffing events.
Roberts said he hopes to become accustomed to demanding and fast-paced work to ease the transition from college life into the work force.
Similarly, he said he hopes to fortify his strengths and improve upon his weaknesses during his time at the White House.
“I still get nervous during speeches,” Roberts said. “However, I learned to raise my comfort level and I can say I truly enjoy it now.”
Roberts said the most challenging thing he has faced while interning is balancing a full academic schedule with full-time
commitment to the internship program. Roberts is involved in both the Trent Lott Leadership Institute and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
“In the past it caused me to become stressed frequently, but I have grown to learn to delegate, which has made things a lot
easier for me,” Roberts said.
Roberts said he is most excited about learning about the operations of the executive branch of government and how employees foster connections with the legislative and judicial branches, as well as making connections with his internship class.
He said the interns come from many different backgrounds with numerous stories and experiences to share.
“Being around such goal-oriented and motivated people is more than exciting,” Roberts said.
Roberts’ father, Ruben Roberts, described his son’s strength of character in one, simple statement.
“He would always take charge,” Ruben Roberts said.
He said his son is very strong when holding any leadership position and that he likes to help out in the community in any way that he can and to the best of his ability.He said he was ecstatic when his son told him he was accepted into this program.
“When you have a child growing, up you always want them to do better,” he said.
“I was really excited, and not that many people get that opportunity.”
Ruben Roberts said this internship is a step in Roberts’ life for him to better himself and open more job opportunities. He said he expects his son to take charge and run with the responsibilities he’s given.
“He never said no; he always said he can,” he said.
“There’s nothing he really can’t do.”
Former ASB Vice President Emmalee Rainey has worked closely with Roberts and she said she has seen him grow and excel.
“He is a personable person,” Rainey said. “He doesn’t like to let you down.”
Rainey said no matter what challenges were thrown at Roberts, he would take them head on.
She said he was the front-runner for the campus smoking ban legislation, which was difficult because the Senate vote was split.
Even though a large part of the legislative body was against the ban, he knew he had to stand behind it.
Rainey said her most memorable moment with Roberts was one night when they were both on the Square, and he ran up to her spouting off new ideas for the Senate.
“Even though he wasn’t on the job, he was thinking about the job,” Rainey said.
Rainey said she was proud of Roberts when she found out about his internship because she knew he had been working so
hard.
“I feel like all of his friends were proud of him, and out of everyone, Daniel deserved it,” Rainey said.
Roberts’ mother, Debra Roberts, was so grateful when she found out her son was accepted for the internship.
“He said, ‘Mom, I got the internship!’ and we started screaming together,” she said.
She said he has been working hard from the very beginning. She said while most people were getting into trouble in high school, her son stayed busy writing essays and compiling resumes to be accepted into the universities he wanted to attend.
“He is a perfectionist,” she said.
She said her son faced some trouble when they moved from Washington, D.C. to Moss Point, Miss. For Roberts, she said, it
was a culture shock.
He went from the fast-paced lifestyle of the District of Columbia to the more relaxed Southern environment of Moss Point and had to make changes to be consistent in his schoolwork.
Debra Roberts said her son is a people person who strives to see the best in every single person.
“He pulls the best out of everyone,” she said.
She had a difficult time thinking of anything her son would need to work on. She finally said that he does not let people know when he is stressed or overwhelmed, but that that is what she is there for. She takes it upon herself to see to his mental and emotional well-being but also helps him stay on top of the little things.
Debra said her son loves the big city and that going to Washington, D.C. for this internship is just like going home.
“He is preparing for his dream,” she said, “and this is where he needs to be.”
She is reminded of her son’s potential daily.
“You must be incredibly proud of him,” people say as they pass through her office and see the pictures of Roberts there, she
says.
Many of these admirers also insinuate that Roberts has a “presidential” look about him and might be in the White House by his own right someday, and not for another internship.
“If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I wouldn’t have to work,” she said.
She said she never wants her son to forget where he came from. She wants him to continue striving for excellence and to keep moving in the right direction.
“Reach for the moon, and you’ll fall on the stars,” she said
