A history of ASL presidential encounters and visits with US politicians

During the 2020-21 school year, we're celebrating ASL’s 70th anniversary with a series of 70 stories highlighting our school’s vibrant past, present and future.

 

Former President Truman, standing, addresses ASL's Grade 9 graduates in 1956

As Election Day approaches in the US, and presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump conclude their hard-fought race to the White House, the alumni office looks back on the ASL community’s historic visits, handshakes and salutes from past presidents, ambassadors and esteemed American politicians. 

President Harry Truman, 1956

Truman at the 1956 commencement ceremony for Grade 9

After serving in the White House from 1945 to 1953, Truman presided over the ASL Grade 9 graduation ceremony held at the school’s Grosvenor Square location on 22 June 1956. Roger Jones ’59 was one of the ninth grade graduates who recently provided photos of that momentous day.

A copy of the 1956 graduation program featuring Roger J. Jones

President Ronald Reagan, 1984 and 1988

Photos from the ASL concert band's performance at Winfield House in June 1984 were presented to music teacher Dick Bassett

During his tenure as the 40th US president, Regan made three presidential visits to the United Kingdom to meet with the Queen, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and other foreign leaders. Two of his receptions at Winfield House, the home of the US Ambassador to the UK, were staffed by the ASL concert band under the direction of Dick Bassett (ASL 1974-96). Prior to the 1984 reception, Dick recalls that several US Embassy officials sat in on rehearsals to ensure the musical selections, including Hail to the Chief, were played correctly. “The music provided didn’t have metronome marking,” Dick shared via email. “I kept asking them about what the appropriate tempo should be, but nobody would go out on a limb and make a decision.” On the day of the event, which was a farewell ceremony for the Reagans as they headed back to Washington, the security personnel greeted the bus of musicians. Carefully scrutinizing the instruments, one security guard asked Dick to take apart the timpani kettle drum for further inspection. Owing to the delicate, time-consuming method involved with the request, Dick politely declined, and the two engaged in a terse debate until Dick finally said, “Either the timpani and musicians gain admission, or we all get back on the bus, and you can explain to the president why there was no band.” The security team acquiesced, and the concert band’s rousing performance was so successful, they were asked back to Winfield House four years later!  

The official presidential thank you letters that Dick received for each of the ASL performances he directed at Winfield House are displayed in the music room at his and wife Georgia's home

President Reagan thanked the ASL band in his closing remarks. Describing the highlights of his visit to London and Ireland, Reagan told the audience, “Great Britain and the United States are kindred nations of like-minded people. We defend the same values, we face the same dangers and cherish the same friendships. We look to our British cousins with a very warm and special affection. These bonds must never be broken, and I don't believe they ever will be.”

Ambassador Charles Price II, 1985

Ambassador Price, who acted as US Ambassador to the UK from 1981 to 1989, visited ASL on 18 September 1985 to address Grade 8. 

President Bill Clinton, 1995

President Clinton receives an ASL sweatshirt from Grade 5 students Meghan Donovan ’03 and Chris McGloin ’03

At the start of President Clinton’s visit to the UK and Northern Ireland on 29 November 1995, a group of ASL students and faculty were invited to greet Clinton and Prime Minister John Major on Horse Guards Parade, when the two leaders processed from Westminster Abbey to 10 Downing Street. Clinton was gifted an ASL sweatshirt and baseball cap during this famous meet-and-greet. After shaking both Clinton’s and Major’s hands, fourth grader Alex Honnet ’04 declared that he would never wash his hands again. Hopefully he has since changed his mind, especially in these pandemic times!

Ambassador William James Crowe, Jr., 1997

Prominent navy admiral Jim Crowe, who was US Ambassador to the UK from 1994 to 1997, was the keynote speaker for the Class of 1997 during ASL’s 45th commencement exercises. Ambassador Crowe was given an honorary ASL degree during the ceremony. The gesture no doubt moved him, though Crowe’s own degrees from the US Naval Academy, Stanford and Princeton are impressive in their own right.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, 2001

Pictured left to right: music teacher Gordon Murphy, Truan Savage ’04, Head of School Bill Mules, Morgan McMorran ’03, Laura Stuermer ’02, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Matt Yaeger ’03, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Adam Olson ’02, Britain Baker ’05, Beth Furtwangler ’04 and Jack Lowey ’04

ASL musicians were once again asked to perform at a high-profile event held at 10 Downing Street to commemorate the three-month anniversary of the September 11 attacks. US Secretary of State Colin Powell was a guest of honor at the reception, which you can read all about in our previous article.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, 2009

When the Obamas came to ASL, left to right: Margaret Grandy, First Lady Michelle, President Obama, Lori Fields and Coreen Hester

While visiting London to attend the G20 Summit meeting in April 2009, the Obamas made a pit stop at ASL to greet and thank the US Embassy employees, who were using the Farmer Family Gymnasium as a venue for the occasion. Naturally, White House security protocols required a great deal of preparation for the School to undertake, including the construction of a protected walkway from the curb of Loudoun Road to the gym foyer doors, so the president and first lady could enter campus undetected. Former head of school Coreen Hester (ASL 2007-17), former associate head of school Margaret Grandy (ASL 1988-2009) and former Board of Trustees chair Lori Fields P ’08 ’10 ’14 waited in the gym foyer to receive them. “[The Obamas] immediately came over to us, big smiles on their faces,” Lori remembers. “Michelle gave me a big hug while the president greeted us all with a handshake. They were warm, interested in ASL and happy to be there.” After photos were taken, the president and first lady were escorted into the gym to greet the assembled embassy staff.

First Lady Michelle Obama, 2012

The former First Lady was also involved in welcoming Team USA to London for the 2012 Summer Olympic games. She hosted an event at Winfield House for 1000 military, American and British school children, including ASL students, before the opening ceremonies in late July 2012 that was part of her “Let’s Move” campaign, aimed at ending childhood obesity by encouraging healthier, active lifestyles. Following the event, Mrs. Obama returned to ASL’s Farmer Family Gymnasium to greet US Embassy officials and a few lucky ASL staff members too.

Senator John McCain, 2012

Senator John McCain attends a reception in the ASL Boardroom in October 2012

Shortly before the 2012 US Election, ASL hosted the late Senator McCain and his wife, Cindy, for a special Q+A presentation in the School Center. Along with members of the ASL community, students from Eton College, Quinton Kynaston, St. Paul’s Boys’ School, St. Paul’s Girls’ School, South Hampstead High, and Westminster made up the audience. Following the assembly, Senator and Mrs. McCain hosted various ASL student leaders for a quieter discussion.

McCain's visit made the cover of the November issue of The Scroll in 2012

As he left the Mellon Library, McCain praised the students’ thoughtful examination. “The standard of your questions has been far more demanding than most I have heard in the Senate chamber!” he remarked.

McCain talks to HS students in the Boardroom

US Ambassador Matthew Barzun, 2017

Matthew Barzun addressing Grade 12 in the School Center

Mr. Barzun was also an ASL parent during his four years of ambassadorship to the UK, from 2013-17. With 13 days left in office, he visited ASL to address seniors in the School Center on 6 January 2017. It was his 164th visit on his tour of UK schools. Ambassador Barzun told the students about seeking President Obama’s advice when he was first appointed US Ambassador to the Court of St. James. “Listen,” was his one-word directive. “You are our future leaders,” Barzun told Grade 12 students that day. “I want to know what you’re thinking, and what you’re feeling, and that’s why I’m here today—to listen to you.”

 

Did you ever meet a US president or politician during your time at ASL? Share your story with us!