10 Questions for Jenna Bush

By Carolyn Sayre

Her carefree college days are over. The President's daughter has written a book about a teenage mother living with HIV. Oh, yeah, and the First Twin recently got engaged. Jenna Bush will now take your questions.

What inspired you to go to Panama and write Ana's Story? --Laurie Powell, Wilkes-Barre, PA. I decided to go to Latin America because many of my students in Washington emigrated from this region and inspired me to learn more about their home countries. I met tons of kids through my UNICEF project. But there was something about Ana's willingness to tell her story. She really wanted to -- not for any selfish reasons, but so that other kids who felt alone or who were facing abuse in their homes could be empowered.

What is the single most important thing we can all do to help fight HIV/AIDS? --Kairy Walker, Miami Become educated. There are so many myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. The idea that you can get aids from holding hands or sharing food still runs rampant all over the world. In fact, we had to go to great lengths to protect Ana -- and that isn't her real name -- because of the discrimination against kids with HIV/AIDS.

Some have said that restrictions imposed by the Bush Administration have hampered international HIV/AIDS relief efforts. Do you feel any policy changes need to be made? --Michael Ehmann, Stony Brook, n.y. I don't think of myself as a policy expert. I think education is the most important thing. There are lots of ways to help. The back of my book gives kids ideas on how to get involved in our global community.

How do you feel about providing young people with condoms to protect against HIV? --Leslie Talper, Indianapolis There is no doubt Ana and kids like her need to use condoms to keep themselves safe and to stop the spread of HIV. It's a personal choice, and the most important thing is that kids become aware of their choices and make the proper decisions.

If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren't you and your sister serving our country there? --Donald Pence, San Francisco I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it's not even a practical question.

Your father has borne a lot of criticism as President. How does your family deal with all that is said about him? --Leo Federico, Rio Rico, Ariz. We don't watch too much television. The world is such a big place, and there's so much that goes on, but a lot of the media really just cover the same thing over and over again.

Was there ever a time when you wished you were part of a family that wasn't always in the spotlight? --Ben Wong, Christchurch, New Zealand I can't wish I weren't something that I am. It is difficult to watch my father being criticized. At the same time, I have been able to travel to Africa with my mother twice and meet amazing people. So sometimes it's good, and sometimes it's bad.

At the beginning of your time in the White House, you had a reputation for being a wild child. How have you changed? --Brendan Ponton, Columbia, Md. It's been seven years, and I've changed and I've grown. I've learned a lot.

Would you like to follow in your father's and grandfather's footsteps and go into politics? --Mike Shewmake, Las Vegas Absolutely not.

Congratulations on your engagement. Will you have a White House wedding? --Laurie Glaffic, Los Angeles Thank you! I don't know where I am going to get married, but I know it will probably be a small wedding. I haven't even started planning. It kind of gives me anxiety. I'm really focusing on Ana's Story until January, and then I will get an Emily Post wedding book and start to figure everything out.

To hear more from Bush and to subscribe to the 10 Questions podcast on iTunes go to time.com/10questions. TIME's interview with Jenna Bush continues here on Time.com, read these extra questions with Jenna Bush.

As you look forward to the future, what is the one problem that you want to see solved (i.e. global warming, health care, the war in Iraq)? ----Jonah Eaton, Laurel, Md. As a teacher, the most important thing is that all kids get a quality education. There are millions of kids that aren't in school. When I was in Latin America, I met many kids, including Ana, who were forced to drop out of school. Ana had to when she became pregnant. Education is what breaks the cycles of poverty, illness and abuse. If all kids around the world could get a quality education, I think our world would be a better place.

Who are your rooting for in the presidential election? ----Nimrata Nair, Irvine, Calif. I don't know. It is so far away. I haven't even started to think about it.

What behaviors did you pick up from your father and mother? ----Kyle Kreutzberger, Frackville, Pa. As a child, I was like my dad. We had similar hobbies. I always loved to be outdoors and play soccer. I would ride my bike with him while he ran. My sister seemed more like my mom then. Now, I think I am more like my mom. We have the same passions for teaching and writing. My mannerisms are more like hers. So I would say a little of both -- I have my dad's sense of humor and my mom's demeanor.

Tell us a funny story about you and your dad. ----Jason Sharpe in Florence, Ore. Gosh, that is a hard one. I can't think of one off the top of my head. Our whole family loves to laugh. My parents' marriage advice is to laugh and forgive. If you take yourself too seriously, life becomes more difficult than it needs to be.