FLOTUS pool report #2 - ceremony details
- From
- Emily Goodin
- Sent
- June 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM EDT
The First Lady welcomed the winners to the White House, telling them “You are our future.”
More: “Artificial intelligence gives our communities access to the largest amount of information ever recorded in humanity’s history. This fundamental democratization of intellect will profoundly altar society: our industries, our social safety net, and even our open-mindedness toward cultural diversity. Wisdom is tolerance, and change will be enhanced at hyper-speed.”
More: “Keep using artificial intelligence as a muse—to open new pathways, and ultimately, to achieve personal growth and success.”
FLOTUS is wearing a black Dolce blazer with gold buttons, black Dolce pants and dark Manolo pumps.
After her remarks, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios spoke: “AI is a magical technology, but it can needs to be demystified. This challenge has empowered every kind of young American, even the ones focused, who aren't focused on science and mathematics, to design incredible technological projects through the creative use of artificial intelligence.”
Then Kratsios welcomed the winners to the stage while FLOTUS gave them their award certificates, shook their hands and posed for pics with them.
FLOTUS spent a few minutes after the ceremony talking to the kids.
“Great job,” she told them. She exited at 11:25 am.
There is a reception in the Rose Garden afterwards for winners and attendees. Some of the select finalists will meet with the First Lady in the Blue Room to show her their inventions.
The list of winners and FLOTUS full remarks are below.
Elementary - Track 1
“Homework Helper”
Alcoa Intermediate School (Alcoa, TN)
Ryker Cochran
Emma Connor
Aaron Gallagher
Ayden Taverna
Elementary - Track 2
“Friendzone Chatbot Bullying Prevention App”
Community group from Aldie, VA
Aarna Jaiswal
Eshani Khatri
Riva Madda
Samhitha Pinnamareddy
Sanuli Rathnayake
Middle School - Track 1
“SkillUp”
NorthStar Middle School (Sammamish, WA)
Viha Iyer
Arya Pratap
Shrimayi Shetty
Middle School - Track 2
“Using AI Models to Detect Urban Blight using Street-view Images”
Julia Landon College Preparatory School (Jacksonville, FL)
Shan Vance
High School - Track 1
“Utilizing Computer Vision for Hotel Room Identification in Criminal Investigations”
Upper Darby Senior High School (Drexel Hill, PA)
Khandakar Mahin
Note: Knandakar is graduating from high school graduation tomorrow (Wednesday) and will be attending Harvard in the Fall
High School - Track 2
“IRIS: A Low-Cost Spatiotemporal AI Framework for Visually Impaired Navigation in Complex Urban Environments”
North Allegheny High School (Sewickley, PA)
Alexander Du
FLOTUS full remarks:
Congratulations to our Presidential AI Challenge winners.
It is wonderful to see this very impressive group of innovators at the White House. I’m proud that you represent the best of America. You are our future.
Thank you to Secretaries Wright and Rollins, for being here today. Your support of this program is key to its ongoing success. I also want to recognize everyone who took part in this first AI contest: students, educators, parents, and administrators.
Yes you can applaud.
Today is about opening doors. When the doors open, passions flow, courage blossoms, and dreams are realized. AI inspires.
Use this chapter of your life to sail away with your dreams—to continue to build boldly, and importantly, to safeguard America’s leading position in the world of technology.
As you know, technology supports every business sector today. You saw AI’s potential and created ideas that will shape America’s future in many areas, including healthcare, nutrition, public safety, and beyond.
The first Presidential AI Challenge was broadly welcomed across our nation. More than 20,000 students participated across all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 49 Department of War schools in 10 countries around the world. And we are just at the beginning.
Artificial intelligence gives our communities access to the largest amount of information ever recorded in humanity’s history. This fundamental democratization of intellect will profoundly altar society: our industries, our social safety net, and even our open-mindedness toward cultural diversity. Wisdom is tolerance, and change will be enhanced at hyper-speed.
AI’s transformative nature opens new possibilities. AI can help us build a stronger community—making our publicly funded social programs more efficient and more effective. It allows us to deliver more personalized education and in turn, will unlock growth in America’s economy.
Keep using artificial intelligence as a muse—to open new pathways, and ultimately, to achieve personal growth and success.
The young finalists here today come from different backgrounds, schools, and communities. Yet you all share something important. You saw a better way, and you chose to act. That spirit—the courage to ask questions, seek innovative solutions, and serve others—is what will continue moving our country forward.
Today is about new beginnings. Don’t be reluctant to push that door open, be bold with your dreams, and brave with your actions.
And now, please welcome Director Kratsios, whose patronage for technology stands out, and whose commitment to keeping America’s children ahead of the AI curve will leave a lasting impression.
*
Emily Goodin
White House Correspondent
New York Post
XXX-XXX-XXXX (mobile)