Two years after promise, 6th grader meets Obama

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ornella Makolo, 11, known to her friends as "Princess," is still thrilled hours after meeting President Barack Obama.

"I was, like, really excited," Makolo said. "It was really special."

The sixth grader and her mom were invited to greet the president after he stepped off Air Force One Thursday in Charlotte.

"I was like, 'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, there he is, there he is,'" Makolo said.

"I can't believe it; it was like my dream is coming true," said mother Sombodi Ngoie.

They never thought they'd get to shake his hand, even though a couple years ago, the president made a promise.

In 2011, after Eyewitness News anchor Natalie Pasquarella interviewed the President at the White House, she mentioned Princess to him. Pasquarella became aware of her situation at the time -- Princess was homeless, and staying at a shelter with her mother and brother.

"I'd be happy to sign something for Princess," he said.

He signed a book  for the then fourth grader and said, "I want you to tell Princess that we're looking forward to seeing her when we get down to North Carolina."

Princess was thrilled with the signature and the message: "He signed 'To Princess, Dream Big Dreams, Barack Obama,'" she said.

She said the phrase inspired her through some tough times.

"It made me think about what kind of dreams I was trying to see, like what kind of dreams did I want to become, like what do I want to do, and like, how do I want to help people," Makolo said.

Two years later, her family has found a home. Makolo is in sixth grade, and things are looking up, especially after Thursday, when she met the role model behind her personal message.

"This will definitely be a day that I will never forget," Makolo said.

WSOC