November 19, 2009

First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack paid a visit to Hollin Meadows Elementary School on Wednesday Nov. 18. Students at Hollin Meadows remember visiting Mrs. Obama's garden on the south lawn of the White House this summer and were excited to hear that she would be coming to see their garden. Students did not know that they would be joined by the special guests until Principal Jon Gates made the announcement on the school's student produced morning news program.

The First Lady and the Secretary held a roundtable discussion on challenges that school leaders face in bringing programs that promote healthy choices to schools. Hollin Meadows has been recognized by the US Department of Agriculture as a Silver School for its success in promoting healthy habits.

The Secretary and Mrs. Obama then visited the cafeteria to hand out fruits to students as they exited the lunch line.

"This was the best day of school ever," said sixth grader Sara. "I got a banana from The First Lady, and I got to harvest lettuce in the garden!"

The visit of the pair comes on the eve of Hollin Meadows' annual Thanksgiving luncheon, an event which features greens grown by students in their own garden. Thursday's Thanksgiving luncheon was attended by congressman Jim Moran who also visited Mrs. McVeigh's fifth grade class. Students in Mrs. McVeigh's class wrote letters to the congressman inviting him to see their garden as well.

After lunch, Mrs. Obama and Mr. Vilsack took their turn at digging in the dirt by visiting science lessons and lettuce harvest centers in the school garden. Students in Mrs. Martin and Ms. Melton's classes were in the garden learning about seeds, photosynthesis, transfer of energy through food webs and composting as well as harvesting lettuce.

Upon her arrival in the garden Mrs. Obama asked students who were digging out lettuce from compost beds, "What are you going to do with all of that lettuce?"

"We're going to eat it tomorrow for Thanksgiving!" came the choral reply.

After posing for group photos and giving out a few hugs, Mrs. Obama was whisked away by her staff and security, leaving the whole school on cloud nine.

Conversations among teachers, parents and students about The First Lady's grace and genuine interest in everyone she met dominated the rest of the day

"That was a pretty great surprise," said first grader Jamie.