She was billed as one of “Hollywood’s Tween Queens,” but the kids visiting D.C. for the National Association of Children’s Hospitals Family Advocacy Day had no idea who they might meet during Monday’s opening ceremonies.
Enter the surprise guest, 18-year-old Nickolodeon star Miranda Cosgrove, who was greeted with a set of screams so shrill that the adults’ ears in the room were left aching. (Ours included).
Cosgrove, who plays Carly on the hit show “iCarly,” immediately started posing for pictures with the kids and signing autographs. The children had come to Washington from 30 families in 29 states who have been patients at the nation’s children’s hospitals. On Monday and Tuesday they were to take their case to Congress: please restore funding to a pediatric training program, which was cut this year in President Obama‘s budget, and please don’t cut Medicaid, which insures one in three children nationally, according to the organization.
Among the miniature lobbyists was six-year-old Max Page, known for his portrayal of “mini Darth Vader” in the 2011 Super Bowl commercial for Volkswagen. Page was born with a heart condition and wears a pacemaker, having to get frequent check-ups. He was joined Monday by volunteers dressed up as “Star Wars” characters including a storm trooper and several other bad guys. And we were told he planned to sport his Vader gear for his appointments Tuesday on the Hill.
As for Cosgrove, she was in town to perform at Wolf Trap Monday evening, alongside 13-year-old Greyson Chance.
“She’s just completely volunteering her time,” explained National Association of Children’s Hospitals PR director Gillian Ray. “She just cares about the welfare of children.”
