|
Kids' Letters to President ObamaOn January 19, 2009, Martin Luther King Day, education staff from The History Center in Tompkins County participated in events at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. For one activity, students were asked to write a letter to President Barack Obama. They were asked to tell the new president about their community and how he could help make it a better place for everyone to live in. The responses ranged from enthusiasm for the new president to advice on policy matters. The History Center will continue to solicit letters from young people about this historic time in American history through January and February, and post them on our website. Visit The History Center at 201 East State Street (a short walk from the Ithaca Commons) to participate.
“I am very thankful to have you as our new President. I would be even more thankful if you could come to Ithaca and restore some of the older buildings here, and help prevent pollution here. I also hope you can keep good education in Ithaca . You will make an excellent President, and I hope you can keep it that way.” Hanna, age 9 “You know what a mess the economy is. No matter how hard you try to fix all the issues there are always going to be people that don’t like what you’re doing. You can’t fix everything. Just try to do your best.” Noah, age 13 “I’m so glad that you are the president-elect. Thanks so much for taking the troops out as soon as possible. Try to make the world a better place.” Joshua, age 11 “ Ithaca is a place where a lot of different people live and work together. Ithaca strongly influences the other communities around it. The diverse community intrigued me on the first day I came here. Because of Cornell, people from across the world will come to Ithaca . I would say that the way to help our communities is to encourage diversity in outside communities.” Caeb, age 14 “ Ithaca is where I live and it is a nice place. I think that Ithaca would be even better (and other places too) if it was greener (environmentally). I saw the electricity companies smokestacks and there was tons of smoke. I’m just giving a suggestion. P.S. I am glad that you were elected as president.” Ben, age 10 “ Ithaca is a nice place. I am glad you are president. I am good. How are you? We will pray for you. I am 8.” Luke, age 8 “Thank you for trying so hard to become our president. I wish you could come to Ithaca , New York sometime. Here people are working together to make it better for everyone. We are a town where lots of different kinds of people all live together. You would be proud of us. We will pray for you.” Gerry, no age “I think that in Ithaca there should be food for the hungry. I think that we should also get a lot more money for our schools here. There should be better food at our schools here.” Saadia, age 11 “I think that all of the poor and hungry should get what they get. A home and money and food and stop war.” Alex, age 9 “Our community needs to be cleaner. I think that we should ban all wrappers on food. You are our awesome new president. My Mom cried with joy when they said you were ‘president-elect.’ I was just too shocked to speak. Because my school is an alternative school and a democracy we had a parade. Great Job.” Dekhari, age 11 “You are the first Black president. I am happy for you.” Abraham, age 11 How old are your daughters? Lamiah , Age 9 We did it. We did it. Yes we did. Alamo G. How old are your daughters? What school do they go to? What is it like living in the White House? Tieana, Age 9 How are your daughters doing, and how old are they? And have a nice year. Deja, Age 8 You are a lucky, lucky, lucky man, and I bet a great man too. I just bet you are! Darryl Thank you President Obama. I’m so happy that somebody stepped up and said “I can make a change.” Personally I’m happy that you made a change, and you said I can make a change. Thank you for having a dream and living your dream. You made a change and you made history. I’m proud that I can live through history. Thank you President Obama. Yes we can, yes we will, and yes we did! Dante, Age 10 Thank you President Obama. I’m happy that you are our first black president. I was wondering why you wanted to be president. Thank you for being our president and I wish you could come to Ithaca. I think you could make Ithaca a better place by making more people more respectful. Thank you, Obama, you rock, please don’t change. Oh yeah, that’s right, change we need. Thanks for doing that for us. Yes we can, and yes we will. Khiry, Age 9 Does it feel good to be president of the United States? Lily, Age 7 Hello! My name is Adrian. My family and community are both happy that you won the election! You’ve made history and I’m proud that yes we can and yes we did! Adrian, Age 10 p.s. Please come to our 5th grade graduation at Belle Sherman School in Ithaca. Thank you for being our first black president. You rock for that. Someday I think you will change the world. Ijeyi, Age 8 I want you to come to Fall Creek School. Happy Valentine Day. Zahmear, Age 8 What does it feel like to be president? How are your daughters and your wife? Brionna, Age 7 I’m a third grader and I am 8 years old. I’m so happy that you are a black American president Obama. Chantise, Age 8 I am glad you are president. How do you run the White House? How do you work so hard? Jamyia, Age 7 When I grow up I am gonna be a football player and a policeman. Eugene, Age 7 How do you feel in the White House? And how do you run the White House? Aiyana, Age 7 My name is Ethan, I’m glad that we have a black president. Ethan I am so happy that you became our president. When you were running for president I was praying for you to be our president. I know you can change our world. Good luck! Jocelin, Age 10 I am a third grader. I am eight years old. I am happy that you are the first black American president. Monica I am glad you are president. We live in Ithaca, not Washington, D.C. I wonder what it feels like to be in the White House. I wish you could come here. Devon, Age 8 My name is Dinoshka. I live in Ithaca. How does it feel living in the White House? I wish I lived in the White House. People around the world are excited that you’re the first African American president. Dinoshka, Age 9 I am a student at GIAC (Greater Ithaca Activities Center). Nate I’m really excited to have a black president. I hope you can change the world with its war. One thing you can do to change Ithaca is by making more laws to make it peaceful. PJ, Age 10 I am so proud that you became our president. Joshua, Age 11 We are happy that you are an African American President. Yes we can. Nazier Thank you for being the first African American President. Please make sure you can be elected eight years. Toniqua, Age 10 I want to know if you can change something in Ithaca. There is a lot of racism going on in the high school’s. I wonder if you can help fix that. Shyann, Age 9 It’s a pleasure to have you as president! I think one way to make Ithaca better is to raise policemen and firefighters share of money. Roary, Age 8 I would like to thank you because you’re our first black president. Mariah, Age 10 I thank you for being our president and making our community a happy place, and I thank you for being a reacher and being a nice president to the whole wide world, and making the environment better and being supportive to all of the kids. How does it feel to be president? And I thank you for being so supportive and also for helping all of us kids to understand what it’s like to be president. Your friend, You’re the best president. Tyreek My name is Mariah Rose. I am a student at GIAC (Greater Ithaca Activities Center), and I go to B.J. Martin elementary and I’m 11 years old. Have a great year. Mariah Rose How do you feel to be the president of the United States? How is your family? Are you happy, I know I am. Tyrian Congrats for winning the presidential victory over McCain! My dad hs all the Barack trading cards and a lot of inauguration souvenirs. Katie T. Congrats for beating McCain in the presidential election with more popular votes. Is it true their going to fire three hundred people? I’m glad you’re president. Your speech was great! Gashaly, Age 11 I am in third grade, how was it in third grade? You are a big influence to me. Kiyanna, Age 9 I’m happy you’re our president. You know when you had your inauguration everybody in my school watched it. You’re almost like Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you for trying to be president, and when you did and made it as president, I was so happy. Dway, Age 9 You do a good job of being our president to help us and help our family. La’e-Jean, Age 7 |
