Sojourner Truth Academy's Lunch Program Invites President Obama to Eat in School's 'Banquet Hall'

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The students at Sojourner Truth Academy (STA) elementary school in North Minneapolis are transforming their daily lunchtime experience through a program called, "Bring the White House to Our House!"  The program is centered on the idea that eating lunch at Sojourner Truth Academy is like dining at the White House.

The basement cafeteria has been transformed into a White House-esque "Banquet Hall" where students are learning about manners and participating in local and national government through a school wide letter campaign to invite President Obama to have lunch in the Sojourner Truth Academy Banquet Hall.  And all this is taking place during lunch!  "Bring the White House to Our House!" brings structure to lunchtime, learning to the "Banquet Hall," and unites the students around a common goal: to host a lunch for President Barack Obama at Sojourner Truth Academy.

During their lunch period, students are participating in mini-manners lessons such as, "Say YES the First Time, Not the Last Time" and "The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword," which they review and practice throughout the week.  When they finish eating they write letters to President Obama.  Students are writing about issues that are important to them—family life, immigration, gang violence, lunch food, self-improvement, and the war in Iraq. They are inquiring about life in the White House, presidential duties, and the lives of Malia and Sasha Obama. Ultimately, the letters all end with the same desire: "President Obama, will you please come to lunch at our school?"

Students are also writing letters to local community leaders and government officials, including city council member Don Samuels, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Colin Powell, telling them about their lunch program and inviting them to come for lunch.  

Lunch program director, Ms. G., is amazed by what she sees happening in the Banquet Hall!  "What excites me the most is that our students are writing with passion and purpose, and they look forward to doing it!  The practice they are gaining is invaluable. Every day our school writes 40-80 letters to President Obama. It's extraordinary!"

Every Friday at the school's morning assembly, students are acknowledged for their letter writing efforts and excellent manners with prizes and a traveling trophy.  On Friday, January 8th, former NFL player Chris Rogers gave an inspirational speech to STA students encouraging them to believe in their dreams and dream big!

Since the program was rolled out on December 1st, students have written over 1,300 letters to President Barack Obama, and they intend to keep on writing because each time a student writes a letter, he or she earns a "Ticket to the White House."  In March, a raffle will be held to see which student(s) will travel to Washington, D.C., on March 19-21 to visit the White House and deliver a special invitation for lunch from the entire school.  

The approximate cost to send one student to the Washington, D.C., is $700.00.  STA's goal is to send 10 students and 5 chaperones to Washington, D.C., on March 19, 2010.  Their fundraising goal is $10,500 by March 1st.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to "Bring the White House to Our House!" please visit the STA donation page at GiveMN.org or send checks (Payable to Sojourner Truth Academy) to Ms. G. at 3820 Emerson Ave. N Minneapolis, MN  55412.  

If you would like to support the program as an inspirational speaker or honorary lunch guest please contact Nicole Gausman at [email protected] or 612-588-3599 x 200.  If you would like to join the letter campaign, see the STA website!

SOURCE Sojourner Truth Academy