Michelle Obama has introduced the newest class of National Student Poets, including a student from New Orleans — Madeleine Lecesne, 18, of Lusher Charter School.
The five 15- to 18-year-old poets will promote the reading, writing and appreciation of poetry during a year of service as literary ambassadors, particularly among young people.
Each student read original poems for the first lady and guests Thursday in the Blue Room at the White House. The five poets were appointed by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.
Mrs. Obama said the students have the ability to "inspire audiences of all ages" with their work. The First Lady also said the group of poets has "unlimited potential."
The National Student Poets will each receive an academic award of $5,000. They will also be expected to start community service projects in their communities. In the past, service projects have reached homeless youth, military children, patients at a children’s hospital, and nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease.
The other students are 16-year-old Weston Clark of Zionsville, Indiana; 15-year-old Ashley Gong of Sandy Hook, Connecticut; 17-year-old Cameron Messinides of Camden, South Carolina; and 17-year-old Julia Falkner of Louisville, Colorado.
