Milestone For Obama As Daughter Malia Graduates High School
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A milestone has arrived for President Barack Obama: Daughter Malia is graduating from high school.
The 17-year-old is receiving her diploma from the private Sidwell Friends School in Washington on Friday.
Obama has said he cries just thinking about Malia completing high school. He's also said his emotions are the reason why he turned down an invitation to speak at her graduation.
"I'm going to be sitting there with dark glass, sobbing," he told Ellen DeGeneres during an appearance on her talk show.
Obama grew up without his father, who was born in Kenya and is now deceased, and has spoken of his desire to be there for his kids. The bond between Obama and his children was readily apparent, as he often was seen holding hands with either daughter getting on or off the presidential aircraft or on the family's walks through Lafayette Park to attend services at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Malia plans to take a "gap year,'' or year off, before entering Harvard in the fall of 2017.
Obama and his wife, Michelle, also have another reason to celebrate Friday. Their younger daughter, Sasha, turns 15.
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