Minot boy plays ball at the White House

By ANDREA JOHNSON, Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com

Seven-year-old Keegan Henjum doesn't think his friends will believe it if he tells them what he did this summer.

On Wednesday, Keegan, who will be a first-grader this fall at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Minot, played T-ball on the South Lawn of the White House. He also got to meet President George W. Bush and received an autographed baseball from the president.

"He couldn't believe it (when he found out)," said his dad, Isaac Henjum. "His mouth dropped open. He was pretty excited."

President Bush started hosting the All Star T-ball Game during his first year in office and has continued the tradition during the past seven years. For his last year in office, the President wanted to go out with a bang, so he decided to invite one child from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Isaac's family learned about the opportunity because his aunt, Lindsey Henjum, works in the office of Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. The family filled out an application to become part of the All Star T-ball Game and were thrilled when Keegan was selected.

Isaac Henjum said his son is a pretty athletic kid who also plays soccer and enjoys wrestling. He plays T-ball with the Burlington Recreation Commission.

During the All Star T-ball Game, there were four teams playing. Each child went up to bat once and played in the field for an inning.

Isaac Henjum said security is tight at the White House and the families were given a list of what they could and could not bring. During the visit, Keegan, his mom, Jennifer, and dad also visited Conrad's office and Keegan had his picture taken with the senator. They also attended a ball game, toured different sites at the Capitol, and took a tour of the White House.

When Keegan's Aunt Lindsey told him he'll have a good story for his classmates about what he did this summer, Keegan replied, "Lindsey, I'm 7. Nobody's going to believe me!"

Now maybe they will.