First Posted: 5/2/2014

After learning how to write letters, students in Joseph Dougherty and Lisa Justave’s second grade classes at Waverly Elementary School practiced their new-found skills by sending their own correspondence all the way to the top: the White House.

But not only did they write to United States President Barack Obama, they got a letter back from him as well.

“I was very excited,” said one student, Anthony Curra.

Another, Kate Scoblick, said she thought the class was “lucky” to get the reply.

Nooran Abughnia agreed it was a fun way to learn how to write letters.

“I learned that there’s a greeting, a signature, a body, a date, and a closing,” the student said.

Dougherty said the class first read the book “Arthur Meets the President,” in which the character Arthur and his classmates write an essay on “How to Make America Great.” The teacher said that book is were the class got its topic for their own letters.

“I really liked writing about ‘plant more trees’ and things like that,” said student Anthony Curra. “It was really cool.”

Mark Lynott said that, in his letter, he asked President Obama to “pay the people who work more money.”

In the response the class received from the White House, Obama thanked the students for writing, saying, “Hearing from young people like you inspires me each and every day, and I am glad you took the time to share your thoughts. …In the years ahead, always remember that nothing is beyond your reach as long as you are willing to dream big and work hard. If you stay focused on your education, I know there are no limits to what you can achieve.”