Letters FROM the White House!

After sending 2000+ letters to President Obama, STA students finally get to hear from him!

This morning, 5 manila envelopes addressed FROM the White House appeared in our mailbox! I was so excited that I could hardly keep my fingers from tearing them open. My heart began to beat a million miles an hour at the sight of those magical words, THE WHITE HOUSE, peaking out from under the usual stack of curriculum catalogs and utility bills. It was like Christmas! It was was like waking up to a letter from Santa Claus -the real Santa Claus, not some scary mall Santa.

For months, STA students have been filling page after page with their dreams, their affections, their fears and concerns. Through their letter writing, the students have developed a relationship with President Obama. They have gotten to know him. They have gotten to know his family, the people he works with, what he cares about, and what he stands for. They have confided in him and invited him into their world to see, first hand, how, inspired by his leadership, they are working together to bring about change in their own lives. This program has become about so much more than just writing letters...our students are finding their voices as young leaders. It's a beautiful thing.

Since December 1st, STA students have dutifully and lovingly decorated, addressed and mailed hundreds of letters every week to this mythical place called "The White House." Was it possible that THE WHITE HOUSE had actually written them back? The official White House envelopes looked so understated, so matter of fact, so...real. It was very encouraging.

When Ms. G and I opened up the first envelope, we found the best present ever...confirmation that our students' letters had been read by the Commander in Chief!

I have no idea if his was a hand crafted response or a boiler plate letter the White House sends to all school children that write in, but it sure seems to speak to the heart and determination of our kids. "America needs young people like you who are studying hard in school, serving your community, and dreaming big dreams. Our country faces great challenges, but we will overcome them if we work together." Thank you Mr. President, I agree.

Way to go STA! You rock!!

We also got an autographed pic of Mr. President Obama himself and a dashing portrait of the First Dog, Bo. :)