“Really! Are you serious? I am going to the White House!” I exclaimed. I could’ve fainted with shock.
At the Fuel Up to Play 60 National Student Ambassador Summit, I entered the Land O’ Lakes Farm to School Competition. Land O’ Lakes selected 10 people to win $1,500 to implement their farm to school ideas at their schools. I was one of those winners. My speech and idea are what got me to the White House, and a month after the Summit we got an email about going to the White House to harvest the garden with Mrs. Obama.
We kept in touch with the Fuel Up to Play 60 team and soon we had our flight information and hotel reservations. I was getting so excited for DC! When the day finally arrived to fly to DC, I thought I was going to burst with elation.
My mom and I landed in Washington, DC late at night. The next morning we got ready early and headed for the monuments. We visited the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. After grabbing a bite to eat, we walked to the White House. It was a long security process to get into the White House, but in the moment, I was too excited to realize the length of it.
Once we were inside the White House grounds, Ariana (another Fuel Up to Play 60 Ambassador) and I changed into our Let’s Move! T-shirts and made our way to the garden. Helpers showed us where we would be in the garden. Ariana and I would be picking beans and okra with NBC’s Al Roker! When Mrs. Obama came out, she gave a brief speech and everyone headed to the garden. Al Roker was really wonderful. I can see why everyone likes to watch him on the Today Show.
After we were done picking our vegetables, we went around helping others. I was standing at the basil plants and I remember hearing a familiar voice, a voice that belonged to someone very important. I walked around the basil plants and my heart went a hundred miles an hour because there, standing in the garden, was President Obama! Mr. Roker, Ariana, and I went to help pick peppers. While we were picking peppers, President Obama came over to us and talked with us. While I shook his hand, I remember looking up to his eyes and knowing that he truly meant everything he said to us. I might’ve stopped breathing for a second. I mean, I just met the President of the United States!
After we picked all the vegetables, we cut and prepared them. With the help of the White House chefs, we made a pizza out of the vegetables we cut up. It was delicious! Once everyone was done eating, Mrs. Obama waved good bye. The helpers gave each of us a jar of White House honey. Everyone slowly trickled out the gates.
What an experience! Hard work does pay off. If you set your mind to it, you can do it.
Olivia
Summit Ambassador
Iowa
6th Grade
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