NEW YORK: Thirteen-year old Riti Bhalla, an eight grader from Herricks Middle School in Albertson, Long Island, has been elected President of the school's Student Government.

Bhalla ran against eight other candidates but it was her poster with pictures of herself with former President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, and New York Governor Elliot Spitzer seemed to have won her the race. Last year, Bhalla ran for Vice President of the student body and won, with a campaign poster which included her picture with the former Vice President Al Gore.

Following her election, Bhalla received congratulatory messages from Senator Chuck Schumer, NY State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. Hempstead Councilman Tony Santino, Laurel Hollow Village Mayor Harry Anand, Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell and Family Court Judge Richard Lawrence also sent congratulatory messages to the newly elected President.

Riti Bhalla and her brother Vishal had made an impact when they sang and addressed a gathering of more than 2000 delegates at the opening of the Democratic Party Convention in Buffalo in May 2006.