Lockhart Elementary Assistant Principal Juelis Hodge (L) congratulates Orin Hayes and Mrs. T. Hayes, Orin's mother and Lockhart ESL teacher, after the 6th Grader was chosen to represent the U. S. Virgin Islands at First Lady Michelle Obama's Kids' State Dinner in Washington, D.C. on July 14, 2016.
Huge congratulations to Lockhart Elementary 6th Grader Orin Hayes who will represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 5th Annual Kids' State Dinner hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama on July 14 in Washington, D.C.
Orin's winning dish, Healthy Chicken, beat out the local competition in the National Healthy Lunchtime Challenge to land him a seat at the First Lady's table. He will be joined by students from the 50 states and U.S. Territories at the special event designed to promote healthy eating among young people.
This was Orin's first time entering the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. While he enjoyed making his winning entree, he also enjoys cooking other dishes, such as "pancakes, pasta and cakes on the weekends," he said.
Of his big win and upcoming trip to Washington, D. C., 12-year-old Orin says, "I think the most amazing part in this challenge is the reward. I'm so excited to visit the White House and meet our First Lady. I dream also to meet President Obama."
First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with PBS flagship station WGBH Boston, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host the fifth annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” to promote cooking and healthy eating among youth. The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” invites children, ages 8-12, in collaboration with a parent or guardian, to create an original lunch recipe that is healthy, affordable, and tasty. In support of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative to help kids and families lead healthier lives, entrants were encouraged to reference ChooseMyPlate.gov to ensure recipes meet the USDA’s recommended nutrition guidelines.
For a complete list of the 56 winners, go here.
