LREI eighth graders welcomed First Lady Michelle Obama to the Taking Back the Streets art exhibit at the New Museum Thursday, as part of the Partnership for a Healthier America’s Drink Up campaign and Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to ensure that all children grow up healthy.

The street art exhibition, developed by WAT-AAH!, a premium brand of water for kids and teens, features artwork encouraging young people to drink water and make healthy decisions. Rose Cameron, CEO of WAT-AHH! and LREI parent, invited the Eighth Grade to contribute to the cause as an extension of LREI’s social justice curriculum. LREI students created a poster and assisted artist Trey Speegle with a huge brightly colored paint-by-numbers mural with the words “drink up.”

LREI Eighth Grader Sophia introduced Mrs. Obama and explained the impact that the artwork hopes to have. “This art is spreading such an important message,” Sophia said with the first lady at her side. “By making drinking water cool, I am learning that young people just like me can take control of our health.”

Mrs. Obama signed the mural and called the LREI students “role models for so many kids.” “I am honored to be here and so proud of you guys,” the first lady said. “You guys are going to make a huge, huge impact on the health of our nation.”

After her remarks, Mrs. Obama welcomed LREI students with hugs. “When I saw Mrs. Obama coming through the door, it was excitement,” Sophia said. “She is such an amazing, amazing woman.”

According to LREI Director Phil Kassen, this experience provided additional context and meaning to the inspired social justice work that is a cornerstone of the eighth grade curriculum and a core LREI value.

The New Museum was the first stop on a series of appearances Mrs. Obama is making across the country to celebrate ways in which schools and communities are participating in the Let’s Move! initiative, now in its fourth year.


Watch First Lady Michelle Obama at the New Museum with LREI:

Welcome to First Lady from LREI on Vimeo.


View more pictures from the big day on our flickr page.