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Westchester High School Students Receive Letter Response From Obama

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Although his time as Commander-in-Chief has come to an end, former President Barack Obama found a way to make students in New Rochelle smile with a hand-signed note recently.

Former President Barack Obama took the time to respond to a New Rochell High School senior's letter.

Former President Barack Obama took the time to respond to a New Rochell High School senior's letter.

Photo Credit: Contributed

In October, students in Carol Donnelly’s computer application class at the high school were instructed to write a business letter, prompting senior Alyssa Purrier to address hers to the then President on a whim.

In her letter, Purrier spoke at length about how much she admires Obama and the adversity he has faced in his life.

"I really admire you!" Purrier wrote in her letter to Obama. "The fact that you are the first African-American President really inspires me. It lets me know that anything is possible, and anyone can do anything as long as they believe they can, and they put their minds to it. You have overcome many obstacles and many people treating you unfairly and trying to bring you down but you did not let it stop you. Thank you for being a great President!”

It took a few months, but Obama took the time late last month to send a response - and photos of the former first family - to Purrier about his time in office.

"Being President has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and while my term is coming to an end, that doesn't mean I'll stop fighting to make sure doors of opportunity are wide open for you and your generation,” Obama said in the letter.

“That’s a promise I will never stop working to keep. And once I leave the White House, I'll be counting on young people like you to step up and get involved--because we all share a lasting responsibility to bring about real and meaningful change that will make our nation stronger."

Donnelly said that Purrier, and her classmates, “were extremely excited to get the letter.”

“Learning to compose a business letter is an important skill that students will use throughout their lives,” she added. “Students will never forget the experience of hearing back from he famous person they wrote to.” 

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