Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
First Lady Melania Trump visited Mountain View Elementary School in Ashe County, North Carolina, nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Her visit highlighted the community's recovery and ongoing focus on resilience and the future.
In her remarks, the First Lady emphasized that true resilience is having the courage to look ahead and shape a better future. She praised North Carolinians for their commitment to recovery and their progress in artificial intelligence technology.
Mrs. Trump was joined by Carrie Robledo, a North Carolina second-grade teacher and 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champion. The First Lady commended Ms. Robledo for her innovative work introducing AI education to young students, stating that knowledge is a power no natural disaster can destroy.
The Presidential AI Challenge, launched by the First Lady, is described as the largest federally led AI competition in U.S. history, with over 20,000 participants nationwide. During the visit, students received AI Literacy training licenses and Robotics Learning Kits powered by Jetson Nano. These were provided by BE BEST Fostering the Future, NVIDIA, and StudyFetch to help students develop AI and robotics skills.
First Lady Melania Trump concluded by celebrating the resilience and strength of the Ashe County community, emphasizing their decision to grow beyond the hardships they have faced.