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Carole Mikita Reporting Earlier this morning, the Secretary of State met with three high school students. Their artwork is part of a larger exhibit promoting international relations.
The three young women found out just days ago that Condoleezza Rice wanted to meet them. She spoke this morning to a group they have a connection to, The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, which has an unusual art exhibit.
For three East High School students, this may well be remembered as the 'photo op' of a lifetime.
Heather Church: "It was really easy to talk to her. I was really kind of freaked out that I'd trip and fall or something bad like that, but it all went smoothly."
Just as they took center stage with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, so, too, their painted violin, representing America, sits in the center of the exhibit.
The group uses music, art and culture to further diplomacy. 'Strings of Diplomacy' includes 15 violins, each representing a different country, 14 painted by professional artists and one by the students.
Becky Brown: "I'm just blown away by all of the others, they're so amazing."
And Secretary Rice made quite the impression, her speech changed a few political opinions.
Kirsten Schiel: "The points of view that she had on Iraq, those were, really changed my point of view for sure."
When the assignment came two years ago to three middle schoolers to paint a violin, even their teacher never expected this.
Patti Owen, Art teacher, Clayton Middle School: "And an experience of a lifetime to be part of this."
For just a moment, they held the spotlight with the Secretary of State of our nation. The three young women are each continuing to create artwork. "The Strings of Diplomacy" exhibit does travel and from time-to-time is on display in Utah schools.
