by Davy James, Staff Writer
The rise of Barack Obama to the presidency is a story that inspired many people across the nation, and it has led to some students from St. Augustine’s School to share their own dreams in letters they hope may reach the president himself.
Third- and fourth-graders at the school are participating in a contest called “Dear Mr. President,” which has the students draw pictures and write letters that may be included in a book to be published by the Scholastic Company and will be presented to President Obama on the Presidents’ Day holiday.
”Quite a few of our students now want to be president, and they wrote in their letters how they were inspired by Obama’s story,” said teacher Debbie Knox. “They wrote that they hope they can be president some day, and that he gave them the desire and inspiration that anybody in our great country can be president.”
In the letters, students talked about things that troubled them.
”They’re concerned about high gas prices, the environment and the war,” Ms. Knox said. “They asked if we’re still going to fight in the war and if he’s going to bring our troops home. A lot of our students related to him playing basketball, and they felt they had that in common with the president.”
Students also sent their blessings and well wishes to President Obama and wrote about their favorite parts and memories about the inauguration. The school has immersed the students in presidential politics by starting out the year focusing on the campaign, which familiarized many of the students with President Obama.
”We had a mock election as well so our students are well informed as to what each candidate is about,” Ms. Knox said.
Contest winners may be included in the book given to the president, and one student could win their own 10-book presidential library. Students also are getting involved in the President’s Day celebrations commemorating the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.
”Students reflect on what they’ve learned about Lincoln and record their thoughts to upload a podcast to a Web site,” Ms. Knox said. “Other schools are also involved so it’s a collaborative effort.”
The collaborative efforts of St. Augustine’s School and other schools across the country can be found on the Web site www.genuinetech.com. Ms. Knox said she hopes the combined lessons and activities focusing on the nation’s highest office leave an impression on the students.
”I think they get a sense of civic responsibility by writing to the president and expressing their thoughts,” she said. “They’re learning about history, and with the celebration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday, it makes it more special than normal.”

