First Lady Michelle Obama Shares Food Craving, Discusses Fitness, Being the First Mom with "Scholastic News" Kid Reporter

 

First Lady interview is second White House exclusive for Kid Reporter Topanga Sena of Orlando

 

New York, NY — March 12, 2012 — Scholastic News® Kid Reporter Topanga Sena, 11, of Orlando, Florida sat down for an exclusive interview with First Lady Michelle Obama when she was in Orlando, Florida, wrapping up her Let’s Move! second anniversary tour.

Sena, who was one of two Scholastic News Kid Reporters to interview President Barack Obama last summer, asked the First Lady about the success of her Let’s Move! Campaign, the demands of being the "First Mom" and the question that many have considered- if there was one unhealthy food you could make healthy, what would it be?

"French fries. I love French Fries. I wish I could eat French fries every single day," said First Lady Michelle Obama. She went on to explain the importance of exercise and a balanced diet. "I tell my kids, if you're eating right at home, then when you go out you can have fun. If you're getting your exercise, you don't have to worry about it. So I don’t believe in absolute no's to anything because that doesn't make life fun."

During the February interview the First Lady also spoke about the progress she has seen in efforts to keep kids healthy and active in the United States, including legislation passed by Congress to provide healthier meals in schools and participation from restaurants and grocery stores that are providing healthier options. The entire video interview is available on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps site at www.scholastic.com/letsmove.

"Whether interviewing the President about the state of the economy or the First Lady about kids living a healthy lifestyle, the Scholastic News Kid Reporters bring a unique perspective to the issues and questions of the day," said Dante A. Ciampaglia, Editor of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. "The Kids Press Corps puts current events, such as the 2012 Presidential race, into a context that is accessible and interesting to students."

The interview with the First Lady is also featured in upcoming print issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines, including Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic, reaching more than two million classrooms nationwide.

The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps is a group of 59 talented young reporters, ages 10-14, from across the country. For more than eleven years, the Kid Reporters have covered current events and breaking local and national news stories, including reports about entertainment, sports, business, politics, the economy, the environment, education and books. Their stories appear online at the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website and in issues of Scholastic New and Junior Scholastic® magazines.

For more information, please visit the media room.

Contact:

Kristen Joerger 212.389.3343 kjoerger@scholastic.com