Kids Offer "Dear President Obama" Messages on President's Day

In December, a partnership of children's educational magazines, toy companies and game sites launched a "Dear President Obama" contest in which we invited young people from around the world to submit a picture and message to President Obama via Secret Builders, an online virtual for kids ages 6 to 14 with an emphasis on creativity and learning.

We received thousands of compelling entries with themes including personal inspiration, environmental integrity, race relations, global war and peace, education, hunger and hope. Ultimately two entries stood out for our judges, a panel of college professors and children's literature publishers.

Today, on Presidents Day 2009, we are sharing the winning entries (including their screen name, image and message) of our two joint winners and sharing some messages from runners-up. Our winners will share the Grand Prize of $1000. Congratulations ! We are very proud of you both!

THE CO-WINNERS

WINNER
yummy09

Dear President Obama,

You and my Auntie inspire me to keeping moving forward and never quit . I plan to run for president , to be the first AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN PRESIDENT!!! If that doesn't work out I will be biologist . But YES, you and my aunt inspire me. My GREAT Grandma said you are a man sent from heaven. I believe her! Thank you!

WINNER
armychild2

Dear President Obama,

You inspired me to be a better person. I didn't like to help people stop crime and stuff like that. So then I heard your campaign motto was "Change". I liked your campaign, that you're the first African American president , in history. When I heard that the person I would have voted for won, I was telling myself the whole time I also need CHANGE. So I applied to a local club and I wrote 3 paragraphs on why I wanted to be in this club. When I was writing I was thinking of you. And a week later I got in the mail that 12 people got into the club and I was one of them. The name of this spectacular club is "Crime Stopper Club"

From yours truly,

Chevonne

P.S. Thanks for inspiring me for this new and wonder full journey.

In addition, we wanted to share messages from some of the runners-up:

From a young girl: "I hope you do all things you say you're going to do because me and my family are going through some tough times and I am trusting you with all I have. So please Mr. President Sir, turn this country around and please give me something happier to dream about!"

From Harriet, a British citizen: In this world there is a very big racism issue. I wish that this could change and I believe that by using your heart, your strength, and your courage you can achieve many great things, including putting a stop to racism. ....I give you my full faith as the man who can change this planet we live in. I believe that you are the one to show people that everyone is equal. "

From a child with very specific requests: "Dear PRESIDENT OBAMA, Can you change Dinsmore Elementary lunch menu to Taco, Nachos, soda, and ice cream, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please. Nobody likes the food here. You are nice, sweet, and kind."

And from one who shows compassionate understanding of the enormous tasks on our President's to-do list: "I hope you do something about the economy. And the war on Iraq. And the oil crisis. And especially the environment. I guess I shouldn't pressure the president. After all, you've got a big to do list and I'm not helping. But I always wanted to ask: How do you deal with all those flashes from the press?"

A big thank you tall all the participants. You gave us a lot to think and smile about. And we can't wait to read your creative thoughts in our upcoming contests!

Comments

[momsmyname]

As they say , from the mouth of babes.... Cool contest. In this day of so many negative influences, it is great for kids to have positive role models that inspire them and for kids to have an opportunity to communicate with them. You should do more of these.

PS -- I checked out your site and loved it. My kids are now registered and have already entered the Monterrey Bay Aquarium contest!

[langiyo]

Thats a pretty cool contest, its good to see so many kids are inspired by president obama, I liked the winner's submission, but i think the most touching one was the submission in which that little girl said she was trusting him with everything she had.

[crabapples]

I wish I knew about the contest earlier. I would have had my daughter enter the contest! She loves President Obama, he is such an inspiration to her. It's great to see that so many kids are inspired by President Obama. Oh, and Secretbuilders is a cool website!

[socratez]

great idea for a competition. I liked both winners but the Dinsmore elementary kid who wants to change the school lunch menu was the best!