Whitman Students Attend First Lady's 'Be Best' Ceremony

Whitman Middle School students were among the DC area students invited to the White House for the launch of First Lady Melania Trump's Be Best initiative.

In March, Fairfax County Public Schools was invited to send several middle school students to a listening session with First Lady Melania Trump at the White House. Two seventh grade students from Whitman Middle School, Walid and Sophia, along with two seventh graders from Franklin Middle School in Chantilly, Emileigh and Arya, attended. 13 students from the DC area discussed how they feel about school, the role that technology plays in their lives, and the issues they are concerned about.

The students were invited to return to the White House May 7 for the official launch ceremony. The first lady's initiative is a multi-pronged effort with a focus on childhood well-being, social media and opioid abuse.The public awareness campaign will encourage parents and other adults to teach children how to be good citizens by being kind, refraining from bullying on social media and elsewhere, and staying away from drugs.

During the ceremony, students from across the country shared their personal experiences with cyberbullying, as well as ways they are working to improve culture and inclusion in their school and community.

At the conclusion of the news conference, President Trump joined his wife at the podium and signed a proclamation declaring May 7 as "Be Best Day."

Image of Walid, Sophia and their chaperone at the White House via Fairfax County Public Schools