Interactive Feature: Who's in the First Lady’s Box, State of the Union Address 2012?

Kasie Coccaro
Kasie Coccaro
January 24, 2012
06:20 PM EDT

For nearly three decades, extraordinary Americans who exemplify the themes and ideals laid out in the State of the Union Address have been invited to join the First Lady in her viewing box. From teachers to small business owners and innovators, to health care reform beneficiaries and those serving in our armed forces – use the interactive feature below to learn more about the remarkable individuals who will join First Lady Michelle Obama tonight for the 2012 State of the Union Address.

The First Lady's Box at the 2012 State of the Union

Rollover to learn more about each guest invited to sit with the First Lady.

Check out WhiteHouse.gov/sotu for an enhanced viewing experience of President Obama's State of the Union address and for opportunities to engage online with White House officials and even President Obama himself.

Read the full press release here.

Learn more about the 2012 State of the Union:

Related Topics: Economy

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 24, 2012

Guest List for the First Lady's Box at the State of the Union Address

First Lady Michelle Obama

Dr. Jill Biden

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President

The following individuals will be seated in the box with the First Lady and Dr. Biden at the State of the Union Address:

SGT Ashleigh Berg, USA
Malibu, California

SGT Ashleigh Berg is from Malibu, California, and joined the United States Army in July of 2004.  SGT Berg has been stationed in South Korea and Germany, and has served two tours of duty in Iraq.  Her husband, SGT Matthew Berg, USA is currently deployed to Afghanistan on his 3rd combat tour.  SGT Berg is currently assigned to the 94th Army Missile Defense Command in Fort Shafter Hawaii, and is serving a three year tour as the Commanding General’s Executive Administrative assistant.

Alicia Boler-Davis
Plant Manager, General Motors Orion Assembly
Detroit, Michigan

Alicia Boler-Davis lives in Detroit with her husband, Fitzgerald, and their two young sons.  She is the plant manager at General Motors Orion Assembly and Pontiac Stamping, and is responsible for overseeing the production of the first new small car program from General Motors to be manufactured in the United States.  Last October, Ms. Boler-Davis led President Obama and President Lee of South Korea on a tour of the General Motors Orion Assembly and Pontiac Stamping.  President Obama and President Lee traveled to the GM plant to highlight the free trade agreements and the resurgence of the American auto industry.

Debbie Bosanek
Assistant, Berkshire Hathaway
Bellevue, Nebraska

A Nebraska native, Debbie Bosanek has worked for Berkshire Hathaway for 37 years and has been Warren Buffett’s secretary for almost two decades.  Last September, the President proposed the “Buffett Rule” as part of comprehensive tax reform, and is working to build an economy that works for everyone, including Americans like Ms. Bosanek, not just a wealthy few.  Ms. Bosanek lives in Bellevue, Nebraska with her husband of 23 years and their son, and spends most of her time and energy trying to keep up with her boss.

Jackie Bray
Process Operator at the Siemens Charlotte Energy Hub
King's Mountain, North Carolina

Jackie Bray is a single mother from King’s Mountain, North Carolina.  Last January she was laid off from her job as a high speed packaging mechanic.  That is when she enrolled in Central Piedmont Community College to prepare for a Siemens pre-hiring test.  After finishing the course and passing the test, Ms. Bray was hired by Siemens in August of 2011. This type of partnership between businesses and community colleges is exactly what President Obama hopes to strengthen to maximize workforce development strategies, job training programs, and job placements.  Ms. Bray now works as a process operator, combining her machinist background with new skills she has been trained on since working at Siemens: laser training, robotics training, penetrant inspection training, and product orientation.  

Mayor Julián Castro
San Antonio, Texas
 
Mayor Castro was first elected mayor of San Antonio in 2009 and at 37 years old is the youngest mayor of a top 50 American city. He is a former city councilman and founder of a law firm. He graduated from Stanford University and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2000. During his Administration, the Milken Institute ranked San Antonio as the best-performing city in the nation in 2011. In January 2012, Mayor Castro announced that CPS Energy, a municipally-owned utility, has entered negotiations to bring at least 800 jobs and $100 million in capital investment to San Antonio. This is expected to be one of the nation’s largest solar projects resulting in 400 megawatts of zero-emissions solar energy.

Bruce Cochrane
President and CEO of Lincolnton Furniture
Lincolnton, North Carolina

Bruce Cochrane comes from a family that has manufactured furniture in North Carolina for decades, but when Cochrane Furniture was sold in  1997,  the new owners moved manufacturing to China. Two years ago, Mr. Cochrane decided the time had come to start his own furniture company back in his home state. In January 2012, production began at Lincolnton Furniture in the same plant his family once ran. Lincolnton Furniture is expected to add 130 new jobs to the area.  Mr. Cochrane attended President Obama’s Insourcing American Jobs Forum earlier this month. 

Sara Ferguson
Teacher, Columbus Elementary
Parkside, Pennsylvania

Sara Ferguson teaches literacy and math at Columbus Elementary, and has worked for the Chester Upland School District for 20 years.  She is a third generation educator in Chester Upland, and a proud product of that district.  When the Chester Upland School District faced bankruptcy earlier this year in light of severe state budget cuts, Ms. Ferguson vowed to continue teaching even without being paid, saying “we are adults; we will make a way. The students don’t have any contingency plan. They need to be educated, so we intend to be on the job.”

Dr. Hiroyuki Fujita
Founder, President and CEO Quality Electrodynamics
Cleveland, Ohio

Dr. Hiroyuki Fujitais founder, president and chief executive officer of Quality Electrodynamics (QED), in Cleveland, Ohio. Coming to America from Japan in 1988 and after receiving his Ph.D. in physics from Case Western Reserve University in 1998, Dr. Fujita chose to continue his professional training in America.  In 2006 he started his own company, QED, which is a developer and manufacturer of highly proprietary state-of-the-art MRI radiofrequency antennas. QED is now one of the world’s largest suppliers of these products and ships throughout the globe.  In 2010, Dr. Fujita founded his second company, eQED, a solar energy-related electronics development and manufacturing company.  With the founding of both QED and eQED, today Dr. Fujita is creating high tech, advanced manufacturing jobs in the healthcare and energy sectors in the United States.

Mahala Greer
Student
Denver, Colorado

Mahala Greer grew up in Paonia, a small town in rural Colorado.  She is currently a student at the University of Colorado Denver majoring in Spanish, and has just been accepted into Teach for America as a Bilingual Education Corps Member.  In May she will graduate with more than $35,000 in student loans. Last October, Ms. Greer introduced President Obama when he spoke to students at CU Denver about how his Administration is working to make college more affordable and reduce student loan debt.

Adrienne Howard
San Diego, California

Adrienne Howard is a military spouse from Lynchburg, Virginia, and currently lives in San Diego, California with her three children.  Her husband, Commander Colby Howard, USN, is currently on a seven month deployment. Mrs. Howard has moved 14 times during her husband's career, and their oldest child has attended 9 different schools along the way.  For nearly 20 years, she has been heavily involved as a volunteer in family readiness groups and Navy spouse organizations.  This past September, Mrs. Howard was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces initiative to reach out to her community, and the response was overwhelming.  Mrs. Howard shared her story of rallying her community to 'adopt' a Sailor on the Joining Forces Blog.

Mike Krieger
Co-founder Instagram
San Francisco, California

Mike Krieger is the co-founder of Instagram, the fastest growing social mobile startup in the U.S. today, with over 15 million registered users. Mike was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and moved to California in 2004 to attend Stanford University, where he studied computer science and cognitive science. In 2010, he joined up with Kevin Systrom to co-found Instagram, and now employs a talented, growing team of designers and engineers. After graduation, Mr. Krieger worked for a year on his student F-1 visa, later applying for and receiving an H-1B visa as a high-skill worker.  Mr. Krieger wants to permanently stay in the U.S. and has applied for a green card.

Captain Mark Kelly, USN, Ret.

Mark Kelly is an American astronaut, retired US Navy Captain, best-selling author, and an experienced naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War. The winner of many awards, including the Legion of Merit, two Defense Superior Service Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Kelly was selected as an astronaut in 1996. He flew his first of four missions in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, the same space shuttle that he commanded on its final flight in May 2011. He has also commanded Space Shuttle Discovery and is one of only two individuals who have visited the International Space Station on four different occasions.

Already a celebrated American, Kelly became the center of international attention after the January 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. In their best-selling memoir, Gabby, the couple shares their story of hope and resilience with the world.

Lorelei Kilker
Analytical Chemist
Brighton, Colorado 

Lorelei Kilker is an analytical chemist for an environmental laboratory, and lives in Brighton, Colorado with her domestic partner and their two children.  In October of 2011, Ms. Kilker was one of a class of women who benefitted from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) investigation of alleged systematic sex discrimination at her former employer that resulted in the award of back wages and significant remedial relief, arrangements that were achieved through a cooperative process between the employer and EEOC.  Since the creation of the President’s Equal Pay Task Force in January 2010, EEOC obtained almost $50 million in monetary relief through administrative enforcement for victims of sex-based wage discrimination, obtained changes to workplace practices that benefit over one quarter of a million workers, and filed five cases including sex-based wage discrimination claims.

Admiral William McRaven, USN

Admiral McRaven is the ninth commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.  USSOCOM ensures the readiness of joint special operations forces and, as directed, conducts operations worldwide.

Admiral McRaven served from June 2008 to June 2011 as the eleventh commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  JSOC is charged to study special operations requirements and techniques, ensure interoperability and equipment standardization, plan and conduct special operations exercises and training, and develop joint special operations tactics.

Admiral McRaven served from June 2006 to March 2008 as commander, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR).  In addition to his duties as Commander, SOCEUR, he was designated as the first Director of the NATO Special Operations Forces Coordination Centre where he was charged with enhancing the capabilities and interoperability of all NATO Special Operations Forces.

Admiral McRaven has commanded at every level within the special operations community, including assignments as Deputy Commanding General for Operations at JSOC, Commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group ONE, Commander of SEAL Team THREE, Task Group Commander in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, Task Unit Commander during DESERT STORM and DESERT SHIELD, Squadron Commander at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and SEAL Platoon Commander at Underwater Demolition Team TWENTY-ONE/SEAL Team FOUR.

Admiral McRaven’s diverse staff and interagency experience includes assignments as the Director for Strategic Planning in the Office of Combating Terrorism on the National Security Council Staff, Assessment Director at USSOCOM, on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Chief of Staff at Naval Special Warfare Group ONE.

Admiral McRaven’s professional education includes assignment to the Naval Postgraduate School, where he helped establish and was the first graduate from the Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict curriculum.

 

Joan Milligan
Orlando, Florida

As deep rooted Orlando, Florida, residents, Joan Milligan and her husband Bill share a strong commitment to their community and volunteering.  Faced with losing their home, President Obama’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) allowed Joan and her husband to refinance their existing loan when other means of refinancing were not open to them. As Mrs. Milligan has said, “I can’t believe how easy the process was.  The bank bent over backwards to accommodate us”.  The Milligans will celebrate 50 years of marriage in October 2012.

Amber Morris
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Amber Morris, a Virginia Beach resident, responded to the White House’s call in December asking Americans “What does 40 mean to you?” saying, “Forty dollars a pay check means that I'll be able to pay my bills, but most months it'll be a tight squeeze.  It means that I'll have no spending money which means I can't do my part in encouraging my local economy.  Forty dollars a paycheck may not seem a lot, but it could mean a steady job for me and my coworkers or unemployment.”  Ms. Morris graduated from Northeastern Law School in 2008 and found herself unable to find a job in her field.  She was working for a non-profit in Boston, but after they lost funding she found herself unemployed in 2009 and forced to move back home with her parents. She’s since found work as a waitress in a local restaurant and although it’s less than ideal, she feels “lucky to have paycheck” to help pay student loans and help save up for the Virginia bar exam. 

Laurene Powell Jobs
Founder and Chair of Emerson Collective
Palo Alto, California

Ms. Laurene Powell Jobs is founder and chair of Emerson Collective, an organization focused on harnessing the potential of individuals from underserved communities to help them build a better life.

Ms. Powell Jobs also serves as president of the board of College Track, an after-school program she founded in 1997 to prepare underserved high school students for success in college.  Started in East Palo Alto, College Track has expanded to serve students in Oakland, San Francisco, New Orleans and Aurora, Colorado.  The program’s intensive academic and extracurricular program is designed to ensure admittance to and graduation from college.  All of the program's graduates have completed their secondary education and gone on to college.

In addition to her work with the Emerson Collective and College Track, she serves on the boards of directors of NewSchools Venture Fund, New America Foundation and Conservation International. She also serves as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ms. Powell Jobs holds a BA and a BSE from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  Earlier in her career, she spent several years working in investment banking and later co-founded a natural foods company in California.

Adam Rapp
Fall Creek Township, Illinois

Adam Rapp lives in Fall Creek Township, Illinois, and is the only child of Stephen and Lisa Rapp.  On his 23rd birthday, he was diagnosed with cancer, and without the Affordable Care Act he would have lost health insurance coverage the same day.  Adam’s mother wrote President Obama a letter last May thanking him for passing the health reform law so that her son could remain on their health insurance policy. After undergoing treatment, Mr. Rapp is now cancer-free and engaged to be married to Adrienne Mast of Quincy, Illinois. 

Juan Jose Redín
Attorney
North Hollywood, California

Juan Jose Redín was born in Ixtapan de la Sal, Mexico before coming with his mother and younger sister to the United States at the age of 10. After enduring many challenges throughout his journey to achieve his dream of higher education. Juan benefited from California's Assembly Bill 540 and was able to enroll, and excel, in his studies at UCLA. He received both his undergraduate (with honors) and law degrees from UCLA. Now a US citizen and a practicing attorney, Juan is as passionate as ever about ensuring educational access to all. 

Bryan Ritterby
Lab Technician
Holland, Michigan

Bryan Ritterby had been in the furniture manufacturing industry for more than 25 years working on the manufacturing floor, in the quality department and as a field service representative, but was laid off in February of 2009.  Mr. Ritterby then went through the Grand Rapids Community College Composite Technician Training Program in conjunction with a new start-up company, Energetx Composites.  Upon completion of the program, Mr. Ritterby was hired by Energetx Composites as a composite technician in April of 2010.  Today, Mr. Ritterby is a Lab Technician for Energetx Composites conducting material tests in the company’s laboratory verifying materials to be used in wind turbine blades, as well as working on blade validation tests for all of the community scale wind blades Energetx is manufacturing.

Colonel Ginger Wallace, USAF
McLean, Virginia

Colonel Ginger Wallace is an Air Force intelligence officer who has led airlift and intelligence operations during Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, PROVIDE RELIEF, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, ALLIED FORCE, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. She currently lives in McLean, Virginia with her partner of over a decade, Kathy Knopf.  In December, Ms. Knopf attended Col. Wallace’s promotion ceremony and participated in the “pinning on” of Col. Wallace’s rank, marking the first such event reported following the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”  Col. Wallace is currently training to deploy to Afghanistan in the Spring 2012 through the Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands program.

America's First Tourists

Colleen Curtis
Colleen Curtis
January 19, 2012
11:49 AM EDT
What's the best place in the world to go on vacation?
 
Why the United States, of course. President Obama today unveiled an ambitious plan to make this country the #1 tourist destination in the world. The President was speaking at Walt Disney World in Florida, which is one of the most popular attractions in America, but he wanted to make sure people think about all the other great places worth visiting -- especially the national treasure of our National Parks System. And he speaks from experience, because over the past few years the First Family have been privileged to visit many of this country's most beautiful destinations:
 
Acacia State Park, Maine
President Barack Obama and his family hike at Acadia National Park

President Barack Obama and his family hike on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park in Maine, July 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Grand Canyon, Arizona
President Barack Obama at the Grand Canyon

President Barack Obama looks at the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Aug. 16, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Related Topics: Economy, Arizona, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Wyoming

The President and First Lady Welcome the St. Louis Cardinals to the White House

Megan Slack
Megan Slack
January 17, 2012
09:26 PM EDT
President Obama and Mrs. Obama welcome the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals to the White House

First Lady Michelle Obama reacts to a joke by President Barack Obama as the President and Mrs. Obama welcome the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals to the White House to honor the team and their 2011 World Series victory, in the East Room, Jan. 17, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Today, the President and First Lady hosted the St. Louis Cardinals at the White House to congratulate the team on its World Series win last year.

The Cardinals, who President Obama called “the greatest comeback team in the history of baseball,” made the playoffs after rallying from a ten and a half game deficit with just 31 games left in the regular season. At one point, the team had less than a 4 percent chance of even making the playoffs.

The Series itself was an unforgettable one, the President said:

Of course, the most memorable moment was Game Six of the World Series.  I’ve got to say, that has to be one of the best baseball games of all time. Unbelievable game.  I will tell you guys, I had a bunch of early-morning stuff the next day, and you kept me up.  It was painful waking up the next morning.  But what an incredible game. 

Related Topics: Veterans

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2012

Remarks by the President and First Lady Honoring the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals

East Room

3:33 P.M. EST

        MRS. OBAMA:  Please be seated.  Hello, everyone.

        AUDIENCE:  Happy birthday!

        MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, thank you!

        THE PRESIDENT:  It’s her birthday!

        MRS. OBAMA:  It’s my birthday.

        THE PRESIDENT:  It’s her birthday today.

        MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  And this is a great way to spend -- no, you don’t have to sing, that’s very sweet of you.  My husband is not used to me being at these events, because I usually don’t come, but I had to be here and welcome you all to the White House.

        And I want to thank you all for being here as we celebrate another world championship for the St. Louis Cardinals.  (Applause.)  

        And that is not easy to say as a Cubs fan.  (Laughter.)  But I have to say, you all make it a lot easier to say with all of the good work that you do in the community, especially everything that you all do for military families -- and that is why I’m here.  (Applause.)  And I got to see that firsthand when Jill Biden and I visited Game One of the World Series, which was very cool, which Major League Baseball dedicated to our nation’s military families.  And that was just amazing.  I mean, you all threw out all the stops.  It was a powerful experience for all of us, and we’re grateful.  It truly captured the strength, service and sacrifice of our troops, veterans and their families.  As an example, we have two special guests with us here today -- Marine Lance Corporal James Sperry and Hannah.  Hey, Hannah!  Would you guys stand up?  (Applause.)

        I had the pleasure of hanging out with these guys in the box, and Hannah stayed awake for most of the game.  (Laughter.)  She ate a lot of hot dogs.  She had a great time.  And it was a wonderful experience.  And I just have to tell you that Lance Corporal Sperry is a perfect illustration of what our troops and wounded warriors display every day throughout this country.  He’s a veteran of Iraq, and he sustained multiple wounds from a rocket-propelled grenade, and he still feels the effects today.  But since he’s returned home, that hasn’t stopped him.  And that’s what we see.  It hasn’t stopped him from being a first responder during last spring’s devastating tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri; it hasn’t stopped him from being a mentor to other wounded warriors; and it certainly hasn’t stopped him from being a phenomenal dad to a very beautiful, brave little girl -- who I really like a lot.  (Laughter and applause.)

        So I want to give a special thank you to the Cardinals for saving a couple of seats for these guys on the plane, and they’ve been able to be here today, and hopefully everybody treated you well here.  And I want to thank the Cardinals and Major League Baseball as a whole for supporting the “Joining Forces” initiative.  Together, we’re showing that it doesn’t matter who you are -- whether you’re a Cardinal or a Cub fan, or even a White Sox guy -- (laughter) -- we all can find a way to give something back to our troops and families who’ve given us so much.  

        So with that, I want to thank you and congratulate you, and introduce your proud President, Commander-in-Chief, and sports-fan-in-chief, my husband, Barack Obama.  (Applause.)

        THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  It is wonderful to be here.  It is wonderful to be joined by my wife.  It is her birthday today.  When we first married, it was a little controversial that she was 20 years younger than me, but -- (laughter) -- now it seems to have worked out okay.  (Laughter.)  

        MRS. OBAMA:  I’m 48.  (Laughter.)

        THE PRESIDENT:  And I want to join her in congratulating the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.  (Applause.)  I won’t lie, I’m a little disappointed I had to leave my White Sox jacket in the closet for another year.  (Laughter.)  But this is a special team, both because of what they do for our military and their families, but also what they did on the field last season.  And I know we’ve got Mayor Slay from St. Louis and some members of Congress who agree with me.  I see the delegation here; they’re beaming.  (Laughter.)  They are quite pleased.  

        Now, when we talk about baseball, we’re talking about a sport, obviously, with a long history.  Over 200,000 games have been played since Major League Baseball began.  Seventeen thousand players have gone through the league.  So this is a sport that has seen it all.  

        But every once in a while, something happens that we have never seen before -- something unique.  And that’s why it is my pleasure to stand here with the greatest comeback team in the history of baseball.  (Applause.)

        Last August, with just 31 games to play in the regular season, the Cardinals were 10 and a half games out of the playoff race.  At one point, they had a less than 4 percent mathematical chance of making the playoffs.  In Las Vegas, they were 500-to-1 longshots to win the World Series.  And when Chris Carpenter pulled the team together for a meeting, his message was simple:  Let’s not embarrass ourselves.  (Laughter.)  But through skills and guts, and I think the team would agree just a little bit of luck -- just a touch -- this team made the playoffs.  And even though they trailed in each of the series that followed, they somehow had the spirit and the determination and the resolve to survive.

        Of course, the most memorable moment was Game Six of the World Series.  I’ve got to say, that has to be one of the best baseball games of all time.  Unbelievable game.  (Applause.)  I will tell you guys, I had a bunch of early-morning stuff the next day, and you kept me up.  (Laughter.)  It was painful waking up the next morning.  But what an incredible game.  Five times, the Cardinals found themselves trailing; twice, they were down to the last strike.  Then Mr. Freese here hits the first walk-off homer of his entire career, to send it into Game Seven.  Then the Cardinals put the Rangers away for good.

        This team essentially played two months of elimination games, both to get into the playoffs, and then to win it all.  But in Tony La Russa’s words, “Sometimes you can’t be afraid to make a mistake.  Sometimes you just roll the dice and you let it go.”  That’s what the former teammate of these folks, Albert Pujols, did, when he joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only player to hit three home runs in a World Series game.  That’s what the outstanding ace, Chris Carpenter, did when he pitched the lights out against the Phillies, and then came back to put the nail in the coffin against the Rangers.  That’s what David Freese did in Game Six -- not bad for a kid who grew up dreaming of playing for the Cardinals.  And even though he can’t be here today, that’s what Tony La Russa did, winning his third title and then stepping down with the third most wins of any manager in history.

        I will point out that he began as a White Sock, so -- (laughter.)

        MRS. OBAMA:  Let it go.  (Laughter.)

        THE PRESIDENT:  Everyone on this team follows the Cardinals’ way:  They play all 27 outs; they never quit; they carry on the legacy of so many great Cardinals that have come before them.

        Last year, I was honored to present Stan “The Man” Musial with one of the highest honors a President can bestow, the Medal of Freedom.  And you could see Stan coming from about a mile away, because he was wearing that bright red blazer.  There’s no question he will always be a Cardinal at heart.  And now this team is part of that long line of heroes.

        So I want to congratulate not only the players, the owners, all the managers and team officials, but also the fans, for a historic year.  And I also want to thank them for visiting Walter Reed this morning, spending some time with our wounded warriors over there.  That’s what this organization is all about; it represents baseball at its best.  And I wish them all the best this season.  

        Congratulations.  (Applause.)  Fantastic.  Tell me what I got here.  Tell me what I got.

        MR. DEWITT:  Thank you for those warm remarks and nice hospitality here.  We’ve got a couple of gifts for you and Mrs. Obama.

        THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.

        MR. DEWITT:  A World Series jersey with your name on the back, number 44.

        THE PRESIDENT:  That’s nice right there.  (Laughter.)  There we go.

        MR. DEWITT:  One for each.  One for each.  (Applause.)  And a bat for each.  And a World Series bat.

        THE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  I’m a little bit worried about giving my wife a bat, though.  (Laughter.)  If I mess up --

        MRS. OBAMA:  I’ll take my bat.  (Laughter and applause.)

END 3:43 P.M. EST

Watch: First Lady Michelle Obama Previews her "iCarly" Special

Posted by ccurtis on January 16, 2012 at 04:49 PM EDT

Watch Joining Forces with Nickelodeon and iCarly, here.

First Lady Michelle Obama was at the Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Virginia on Friday to preview her special appearance on the hit TV show "iCarly". The White House joined forces with the Nickelodeon team to teach kids how important friendship and support are to military kids whose parents are deployed for long periods. The show's lead character, Carly Shay (played by Miranda Cosgrove), is the daughter of an Air Force Colonel currently serving overseas in the military, and two of the cast members grew up in military families.  

The debut of "iMeet the First Lady" on Monday January 16 was preceded by a special dedication from the iCarly cast and Mrs. Obama to military families. Immediately following the premiere, Nickelodeon debuted a PSA that features ways kids can show their thanks and support. For more information, visit www.thebighelp.com.
 

See more about Veterans  

First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates Maya Angelou at BET Honors

Colleen Curtis
Colleen Curtis
January 16, 2012
04:30 PM EDT
First Lady Michelle Obama applauds Maya Angelo during the BET Awards ceremony

First Lady Michelle Obama applauds poet Maya Angelou who receives the Literary Arts Award at the BET Honors ceremony at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Michelle Obama was at the BET Honors Saturday night in Washington D.C. to present the Literary Arts award to Maya Angelou, who the First Lady said was one of her "she-roes." Angelou, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2010, is as well known for her work as a civil rights activist as she is an artist, whose prolific body of work includes writing poetry, memoirs, novels and plays. She has also been a producer, actress, historian and filmmaker.

Mrs. Obama, who told the audience at the historic Warner Theatre that she had been "spellbound" when reading her stories, asked the crowd to honor Angelou's contributions by following her example:

Maya Angelou teaches us that it’s not enough merely to seek greatness for ourselves. We must help others discover the greatness within themselves.  We need to reach down…and reach out…and give back…and lift up others the way Maya has lifted us. 

That is how we can most truly honor our friend Maya Angelou – by how we live our lives…by striving every day to embody the wisdom, and generosity, and radiant love with which she has graced our world. 

Related: Read the poem Maya Angelou wrote for the dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial

 

Related Topics: Civil Rights

Joining Forces with Nickelodeon & iCarly

January 16, 2012 | 1:25 | Public Domain

First Lady Michelle Obama joins the cast of Nickelodeon’s iCarly at a special screening of “iMeet The First Lady,” a new episode featuring Mrs. Obama that honors America’s military children. The event took place at Hayfield Secondary School, a school in Virginia with a large number of military children. They screened the episode, participated in iCarly’s “Random Dancing” and answered questions from the students.

Download mp4 (35MB)

First and Second Families Participate in a National Day of Service

Megan Slack
Megan Slack
January 16, 2012
03:10 PM EDT
President Obama at Browne

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at Browne Education Campus in Washington, D.C., before participating in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service event with First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia, Jan. 16, 2012. January 16, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, President Obama, the First Lady, and Malia Obama volunteered at a local elementary school as part of a national day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King, who devoted his life to helping others, once said that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

Before pitching in to help clean, paint, and organize the school’s library, the President spoke to other volunteers from Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Greater DC Cares gathered for the event:

There’s nobody who can’t serve. Nobody who can’t help somebody else. And whether you’re seven or six or whether you’re 76, then you can find opportunities to make an enormous difference in your community.

The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden also joined the millions of Americans participating in service events around the country. They traveled to Philadelphia to take part in the 17th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in the nation.

Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden participate in MLK Day service event

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend the 17th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service at Girard College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 16, 2012. January 16, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

 
Read more about how the Obama Administration is honoring Dr. King's legacy through service:
Related Topics: Civil Rights, Service, Pennsylvania

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
January 13, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at iCarly Screening Event in Alexandria, VA

Hayfield Secondary School
Alexandria, Virginia

11:58 A.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, wasn’t that exciting?  (Applause.)  You know what, I had so much fun taping that episode with the iCarly cast.  They are amazing.  It was so much fun.  I forgot my lines and they didn’t even tease me.  It was really good.  Let’s give -- well, Jerry did.  Why don’t we give the cast a big round of applause?  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Gibby!  Gibby!

MRS. OBAMA:  Gibby!  Gibby!  Gibby!  Gibby! Gibby!  (Applause.) 

Now, the only way we could have done this was to have the help and support of Nickelodeon.  They have just been amazing, because the cast, in addition to coming here, they’ve been touring the entire country -- going to military bases, meeting with other military kids -- because they know how important all of you are.

I want to know how many, by a show of hands or claps, how many kids here have parents in the military?  (Applause.)  Terrific. 

Well, this episode was for all of you, because we have cast members who are also military kids as well.  Show of hands -- who are our military kids?  (Applause.)  See?  Both Noah and Jerry grew up as military kids, just like you.  And what we do know is that kids like you make the same kind of sacrifices that your families do.  Many of you have moved from school to school.  You’ve been in several schools.  I know how hard it is to stay strong and focused when your mom and dad is serving.

So we did this episode because we want the whole country to know how proud we are of all of you, and much we appreciate you as our little heroes.  So we want you to stay strong.  Okay?  Be proud of what you do, because we are so proud of you.  And we know sometimes it can be hard, but know that you have the entire country that stands behind you guys.  Okay?  (Applause.) 

All right, so we’re going to have a little more fun.  You’re going to get to ask us some questions.  All right?  (Applause.)  So DJ Boogie, we turn it back over --

DJ BOOGIE:  All right, so they’re going to get you guys ready for the questions, and I’ve got a couple of questions for some military kids out here.  How about that?

MRS. OBAMA:  That sounds good.

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.  So we have Ethan (ph).  Stand up, Ethan.  All right, this is Ethan.  (Applause.)  How old are you, Ethan?

ETHAN:  I’m 12. 

DJ BOOGIE:  You’re 12.  And you come here?

ETHAN:  What?

DJ BOOGIE:  You come here for school?

ETHAN:  Yes.  Well, Hayfield Elementary. 

DJ BOOGIE:  That’s awesome.  Now, do you have parents in the military?

ETHAN:  Yes.  Both of them are in the Navy.

DJ BOOGIE:  And are they stationed here, or are they overseas?

ETHAN:  They are both stationed here.

DJ BOOGIE:  They’re both stationed here.  Now, what do you to pass the time here at school?

ETHAN:  Well, I -- sometimes I read at recess, go out with some of the other kids onto the blacktop and mess around there.

DJ BOOGIE:  That’s awesome.  Well, listen, we’re really proud of you.  We’re proud of your parents and we’re proud of you.  That’s awesome, Ethan.  Good job.  (Applause.) 

All right.  And we got my buddy over here.  What’s your name?

ANTONIO:  Antonio.

DJ BOOGIE:  Antonio.  Stand on up, Antonio.  You a student here at Hayfield?

ANTONIO:  Yes, sir.

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.  Now, tell us a little bit about your military family.

ANTONIO:  My dad is a command sergeant major.  He’s in Afghanistan right now.  And my mom, she was in the Army for 11 years.  She retired as a staff sergeant.

DJ BOOGIE:  And now, obviously you miss your father -- he’s overseas.  What do you do to pass your time while you’re here at school?

ANTONIO:  I mean, I have to be the bigger man to take the place for the household, because I got to watch my little sister and make sure my mom stays happy.  So --

AUDIENCE:  Aww --

DJ BOOGIE:  That’s a great thing.  You’re an amazing person.  (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA:  DJ Boogie, let me ask --

DJ BOOGIE:  An amazing person.

MRS. OBAMA:  Let me ask you another question.  How many schools have you been to?  And what grade are you in, and how many schools have you been to since you’ve been in school?

ANTONIO:  I’m in 8th grade.

MRS. OBAMA:  Eighth grade?

ANTONIO:  And I’ve been to about five or six different schools.

MRS. OBAMA:  He’s been to five or six different schools.  And that’s true for most military kids.  Right?  So you’re doing all of this -- transferring to new schools every few years.  Right? 

And that’s something that we want the other kids who aren’t military kids to know, is that when you find a kid who is a military kid, who has come in new, it’s important for you all to do like iCarly’s friends did and step up and know the kind of struggles and challenges that they’re facing.  Because it’s not easy changing schools every few years and keeping your grades up, and knowing that your dad is away serving in another part of the world. 

I mean, you can imagine how tough that can be.  So we need all of you to step up as well, and all the kids all over the country, to find out who the military kids are in your schools.  And make sure you make them feel welcome. 

All right, can we do that?  Can we get that commitment from you guys here?

DJ BOOGIE:  Definitely.  Right, guys?  (Applause.)  Now, we’re really proud of you.  We’re really proud of you, okay? 

And now I have some questions for you guys up here, all right?  Are you guys ready?  The first question is coming -- and all of these questions are from you guys out here at school, okay? 

And the first question is for Mrs. Obama and it comes from Jared Lewie (ph).  Where is Jared Lewie?  Jared Lewie.  There you are, Jared Lewie. 

Jared Lewie wants to ask:  If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

MRS. OBAMA:  Ooh, good one.  You know what, I’ve always wanted to fly.  (Applause.)  You know?  When I was young I used to always have dreams about flying.  Has anyone had a dream about flying?  (Applause.)  Yes!  You just float over everywhere.  You could go anywhere.  You could go on a dime, and you feel so free.  Yes, I’d fly.

CAST MEMBER:  I love that he was concerned that you’re not powerful enough.  (Laughter.)  He’s like, how could you be more powerful?

MRS. OBAMA:  I could fly. 

CAST MEMBER:  Just wondering.

DJ BOOGIE:  That’s definitely it, flying.  All right, so we have another question.  It looks like this one is for Jennette.  It’s from Jayon Corton (ph).  Jayon Corton, where you at?  Jayon Corton, where you at?  Over there, also.

Is Sam really that strong?

JENNETTE:  Yeah!  Who asked that?

DJ BOOGIE:  Is Sam really that strong?

JENNETTE:  Of course.  Come on, I can flip over anybody.  I can beat up anyone.

DJ BOOGIE:  We got the bruises to prove it.

JENNETTE:  Look at these pythons, kids.  Look at these.  (Laughter.)

DJ BOOGIE:  That’s awesome.  All right, we have another question.  This is, again, for Mrs. Obama, from Haley Cole (ph).  Where is Haley Cole?  (Applause.)  Haley Cole, where you at, Haley?  Are you up top?  All right, see you, Haley. 

This is:  What are your efforts on school lunches, and could you change hours?

MRS. OBAMA:  Ooh, all right.

DJ BOOGIE:  I think Mr. Tremaine will have something to say about this.

MRS. OBAMA:  We’ll make sure that all the principals are listening to this.  But my husband and the Congress passed a legislation to make sure we could put more nutritious foods into the schools.  So you should be seeing more vegetables, more fruit, more healthy foods.

AUDIENCE:  Booo --

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, it’s going to be more healthy.  They’ll still be --

DJ BOOGIE:  Uh-oh.  They’re turning.

MRS. OBAMA:  I know, they’re turning.  It happens.  But this is for you all, because we want you to be the next leaders out there.  And let me tell you that something I know the cast will tell you, that it’s hard to do what you do if you’re not healthy and you’re not eating right, and you’re not putting good foods in your body, you’re not getting exercise.  And so we care very much that you start learning those habits early.  And schools are going to be stepping up.

But I would encourage you that if you want even more action, sit your principals down.  Get your parents involved.  Find out what’s going on in your school and what you would like to change, because you can also make changes right here with a little work and cooperation from the people around you.

So thanks for asking.  And eat your vegetables.  (Laughter.)

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.  This next question is for Noah Munck, aka Gibby.  (Applause.)

It’s from Maria Barrios Bonita (ph).  Maria Barrios Bonita, where you at?  Maria Barrios Bonita. 

All right, Maria Barrios Bonita wants to know:  Since you have a TV show, how do you go to school?

NOAH:  How do you go to school?  Well, I am homeschooled.  I do all my school online.  It’s a little bit tough to go to real school, as the whole cast knows, because we’re constantly working, constantly traveling.  So I mean, it’s just -- it’s easier to get it all done at home and online. 

DJ BOOGIE:  All right, there you go.  (Applause.)  Any -- you do your studying, right?

NOAH:  Oh, yes.  Definitely.  Study.

DJ BOOGIE:  And you eat your vegetables.

NOAH:  I eat my vegetables constantly.  All you kids, study, eat your vegetables.  It’s very important.

DJ BOOGIE:  There it is.  We’ve got another question from Mrs. Obama from Jaylin Mullings (ph).  Where is Jaylin Mullings?  Jaylin Mullings?

And this question is:  What is your favorite room in the White House?

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my favorite, absolute favorite room is the Yellow Oval Room.  And if you’ve seen the White House, if you’ve come to the back where the South Lawn is, you see this balcony.  It’s called the Truman Balcony on the second floor, and that’s where we live.  We live on the top two floors of the White House.  And the Truman Balcony connects to the Yellow Oval Room.  It’s a beautiful room.  That’s where we put our family’s Christmas tree. 

And when I have other First Ladies who come and visit, we have tea in that room.  It’s really bright and sunny and airy.  And it’s one of the few places the President can walk outside on that balcony and be by himself if he needs to.  So it’s kind of a cool, personal space -- the Yellow Oval Room.

JERRY:  Is that where the plasma screen is?  (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA:  No plasma screen.

JERRY:  Is that where he watches Monday Night football, in the Oval room?

MRS. OBAMA:  You know, it’s close.  It’s close.

JERRY:  It’s nearby.

MRS. OBAMA:  It’s the Treaty Room.  That’s where that goes on.  (Laughter.)  But it does happen.

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.  We’ve got another question for the cast.  All right, another question for the cast.  This is from Seth Williams (ph).  Where is Seth Williams at?  (Applause.)  Wow.

CAST MEMBER:  Seth is the most popular kid in school!

DJ BOOGIE:  Seth Williams is very, very popular --Seth.  All right, Seth Williams wants to know -- and this goes for the entire cast -- are any of your parents in, or has been in the military?  And please explain.

NOAH:  My dad was a Marine.  My dad -- once a Marine, always a Marine.  My dad served in the Marines.  And yes, so my dad and then Jerry’s dad was in the Navy growing up.

JERRY:  Yes, my dad was -- well, I was stationed in San Diego at Miramar where they filmed Top Gun.  (Laughter.)

NOAH:  Yes, my dad was stationed at Pendleton. 

JERRY:  Pretty sweet!  Me and Tom Cruise were hanging as kids.  That didn’t happen.  (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA:  What was it like for your guys? 

NOAH:  For me, I was not yet born.  But, I mean, just to have the pride of the --

MRS. OBAMA:  It’s close.

DJ BOOGIE:  It was very dark.  (Laughter.)

NOAH:  It was very dark.  (Laughter.) But, no --

DJ BOOGIE:  There were lots of clouds.

NOAH:  I love walking around telling people, you know, my dad is a Marine.  To have that pride that he served our nation, I think it’s really cool to have that in your family.

JERRY:  Yes, and his dad is with us a lot, and you could really tell that --

NOAH:  Yes, he travels around.

JERRY:  You could really tell that Noah is a really good kid and it reflects Noah’s parents.  They’re really nice people, and he’s very proud of all of that.

NOAH:  Yes, definitely.

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.  So we’ve got another question for Mrs. Obama, and this is coming from Christina Zarolhol (ph).  Christina Zarolhol.  (Applause.)  There you are Christina. 

CHISTINA:  Hey.

DJ BOOGIE:  There you are, Christina.  Hey, wave to us over there.  Hey, Christina, how’s it going?

And Mrs. Obama, what shows do you like to watch with your family?

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, iCarly, of course.  Yes!  (Applause.)  Can’t wait for the new episodes to come.  But we watch all kinds of things.  I mean -- but we try not to have too much TV time during the week.  But we’re big fans of iCarly, we certainly are.  And I even get upset when I’m watching a re-run.  So I’ll be glad when the new episodes come out.  Right? 

CAST MEMBER:  Sorry!

MRS. OBAMA:  You know, sometimes you just want new shows.  (Laughter.)

CAST MEMBER:  We will try to --

MRS. OBAMA:  More, more, more.  (Laughter.)

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.  So we got another question for the cast.  We’re going to throw this one down to Nathan and Miranda here.  It is from -- (applause) -- Sydney Bardack (ph).  Sydney Bardack.  Where is Sydney Bardack? 

Sydney Bardack wants to know:  What is your favorite thing to do off set?  Off set.

NATHAN:  Well, I got to say, between the guys on iCarly, video gaming runs in our blood.  (Applause.)  We try -- we do try to limit our time, but I won’t lie, there’s an Xbox in our green room on set.  We have been known to do a little bit of rock band in between scenes.

Besides that, I love reading.  I love photography.  I took photography in high school, so that’s definitely one of my big interests.  And I also love airsoft, which is sort of like paintball.  Do you guys know what paintball is?  (Applause.)  Dang, there’s a lot of paintballers in there.  Basically, you go out and it’s little plastic BB guns, and you go out -- and you wear a face mask, obviously.  You protect your face.  But you go out and you go and shoot your friends.  It’s a great time.  (Laughter.)

DJ BOOGIE:  Miranda, how about you?  Miranda, off set, what do you like to do?

MIRANDA:  Favorite things to do?  Well, Nathan got me into video games.  But I also really like bike riding, going to the movies, hanging out with these guys.

MRS. OBAMA:  And you sing.  You were with us -- you sing.  You have a beautiful voice.

MIRANDA:  Thanks.

MRS. OBAMA:  You were with us last Christmas. 

MIRANDA:  Yes, I got to -- that was so exciting getting to meet you guys and everything. 

AUDIENCE:  Sing!

MIRANDA:  Do you guys want to sing a little of the theme song with me?

DJ BOOGIE:  Yes, do you guys want to do a little of the theme song with her?  (Applause.)  That’s what Miranda said.

MIRANDA:  Do you guys want to do it with me? 

MRS. OBAMA:  They know all of it.

CAST MEMBER:  Yes, they know all of it out there.  They know all of it.

MIRANDA:  Everybody join.

DJ BOOGIE:  And I actually have it right here if you guys want to sing along the theme song.

CAST MEMBER:  Sing with us!

CAST MEMBER:  Yes, you guys have to sing it with us.

MIRANDA:  Yes, will you guys sing it with us?

(Mrs. Obama and cast members sing iCarly theme song.)

DJ BOOGIE:  All right.

MIRANDA:  Thank you, guys.  (Applause.)

DJ BOOGIE:  One last question.  One last question.  And now, I know that the First Lady is with you guys, but what was it like to work with the First Lady?  It’s okay, you can tell us. 

JERRY:  Here we go.

DJ BOOGIE:  She’s sitting right next to you, Jerry.

JERRY:  It’s all coming out now.

DJ BOOGIE:  Tell the truth.

JERRY:  She arrives and she goes -- like that to me.  (Laughter.)  And the she goes two for flinching, and then hits me twice in the arm.  (Laughter.)  I was like, what is happening?  And the Secret Service were like, deal with it, buddy.  (Laughter.)  We get it all the time.  (Laughter.)  I couldn’t believe it.  I was shocked.

NOAH:  He’s a complete liar. 

JERRY:  Oh, see?  See? 

DJ BOOGIE:  What was your take on it, Nathan?

NATHAN:  Well, I got to say, we were all definitely nervous when we found out that the First Lady was going to be doing an episode with us.  But we were definitely kind of on edge waiting for her to arrive, but once she finally got there she just set everybody at ease so quickly, and she was --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Nathan!

NATHAN:  Oh, I love you, too, person in crowd!  (Laughter and applause.)  I love you, too.

But -- okay, settle down.  But she was awesome, and she got a ton of lines, but she did really, really well.  And, I mean, you messed up like maybe once or twice in the whole thing.

MIRANDA:  You’re a good actress.

JERRY:  She nailed it.

NATHAN:  We were like blowing our lines everywhere, and you were the professional on set.

DJ BOOGIE:  Wow.  So she out-acted you guys, huh?  So the First Lady out-acted you guys.

NATHAN:  Basically.

MRS. OBAMA:  No way, no way.

JENNETTE:  -- out-danced.

NOAH:  Definitely, like Jennette said, out-danced.  Tell them about that.

DJ BOOGIE:  Go ahead, Jennette.  What was your experience?

JENNETTE:  Working with Mrs. Obama was so -- (applause) -- when we all found out that Mrs. Obama was going to be guest starring on the show, I don’t think any of us really believed it.  And then the day came and we were all kind of hyperventilating and our internal organs were shutting down because we were so nervous.  And then she came to the set and called each of us by our first names and gave us a big hug, and was just so nice and so professional.  And I think we all had a blast.  And, I mean, it was just unforgettable.  It was one of the best days on set, and one of the best days of our lives.  (Applause.)

CAST MEMBER:  It’s one of the biggest episodes that Nickelodeon has ever done.  So thank you, Mrs. Obama, for that.

JENNETTE:  Thank you so much.

MRS. OBAMA:  It was so much fun.  You know what, you should know that these guys are as nice and as real as they seem on TV.  He’s hilarious and these guys are amazing.  You all are terrific.  Thank you for welcoming me into your crew, and thanks again to Nickelodeon for making this happen.

DJ BOOGIE:  Awesome.  And they did it for you guys out there, the military family and Joining Forces.  So thank you, guys.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you, guys.

DJ BOOGIE:  That concludes our show everyone.  (Applause.)  That concludes our show.  Big round of applause for the First Lady and the cast of iCarly!  (Applause.)

END
12:17 P.M. EST