First Lady Melania Trump held an event with 13 middle school students on Monday, April 9, to discuss issues that they face.
She was joined by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for the discussion held in the White House’s Blue Room.
“I’m very excited that you’re here today with me, and thank you in advance for sharing your stories and your thoughts about your struggles and challenges,” Trump said at the event. “I want to help children everywhere to be their best, so with your help, we can achieve positive results.”
According to UPI, the first lady asked the students to share their names and favorite hobbies and to also discuss how they felt at home or at school.
East Wing Communications Director Stephanie Grisham said Monday’s event is the latest effort by Trump to understand issues facing American youth.
Previously she had held other listening sessions from neonatal opioid effects to bullying, social inclusion, and internet safety, according to CNN. Trump has also visited children in hospitals.
“As we all know, Mrs. Trump’s focus is the overall well-being of children,” Grisham told CNN. “So it stands to reason that she would want to speak directly to them about issues they face on a daily basis.”
Trump and DeVos also asked the group of students to write on the board any of their feelings.
Toward the end of the event, one student had just written down that he felt “energized” when he accidentally knocked over a water glass on the table. The boy froze but the first lady moved in to calm him.
“No problem,” she told the boy, as she placed a comforting hand on his back. “Don’t worry, it’s just a water, OK?”
The White House said the children who attended were aged between 10 and 13.
Trump began the session by writing on the board her own feelings, which were “Excited,” according to The Associated Press.
The children, including two who had been homeschooled, wrote that they felt, “respected,” ”grateful” and “nervous.
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