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Attorney general nominee Lynch has Durham roots

Years before becoming a federal prosecutor and nominee for U.S. attorney general, Loretta Lynch went to school in Durham.

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DURHAM, N.C. — President Barack Obama's choice for attorney general faced tough questions Wednesday as she began her U.S. Senate confirmation before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

If she wins Senate approval, Loretta Lynch will become the first black woman to serve as attorney general.

But years before becoming a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, the 55-year-old was born and raised in North Carolina, where she has roots in Durham and going to school at Durham High School, now Durham School of the Arts.

"It sort of just makes it personal, like I have a connection to her," said Jack Leinbach, a student at the school.

Leinbach is also editor of the school's newspaper and recently published an article about Lynch.

According to Lynch's senior yearbook, she was very involved and a top scholar who graduated at the top of her class.

Sue Jarmon, a member of Lynch's former church, says Lynch left a lasting impression.

"Everyone knew she was a brilliant girl," Jarmon said. "Everybody knew she was going places."

But Jarmon says she never could have imagined that place would be on Capitol Hill before U.S. lawmakers.

She's watched Lynch's confirmation hearing from her desk at White Rock Baptist Church, where Lynch's father pastored.  

Jarmon says many of the congregation's older members who knew Lynch personally are also watching the hearing closely, hoping for a historic confirmation that will make them all proud.

"I can't believe it," Jarmon said. "It just seems so unreal."

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