Welch MS Extends Invitation to First Lady and Beyoncé
Students hope to host Let’s Move! campaign event to fight childhood obesity
April 27, 2011
Students at Welch Middle School have invited First Lady Michelle Obama and the school's most famous alumna, Beyoncé, to visit their school and lead the country in a nationwide "flash" workout event to fight childhood obesity.
April 27, 2011
Video invitation sent to First Lady Michelle Obama and Beyoncé. Includes footage of students practicing "flash" workout routine.
On May 3, middle school students from across the U.S. and HISD will simultaneously perform a dance/exercise routine choreographed to Beyoncé's song, "Move Your Body."
The program is part of the Let's Move! campaign created by Mrs. Obama to encourage children to be active and eat healthfully. At this point, the White House has not said where the First Lady and Beyoncé will be for the event, but Welch Principal Cynthia Iyamu believes the school's Health and Physical Development Magnet Academy is the perfect location. Students at Welch develop their abilities in dance, gymnastics, and lifetime sports while maintaining academic excellence.
"Our students learn that healthy choices and an active lifestyle are closely linked to academic success," Iyamu wrote in a letter to Mrs. Obama. "Your partner in the Let's Move! campaign, Beyoncé, attended Welch, and the students and I would like to invite the two of you to visit our school on May 3, 2011." On that day, students from several HISD middle schools will be at Welch for the flash workout.
Iyamu sent a separate letter to Beyoncé's publicist and included a video invitation with comments from student performers and the pop star's first dance teacher. The principal is still awaiting a reply from the Let's Move! campaign.