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Hinsdale boy has lunch at White House, meets Obamas
Jonah Schaik with White House assistant chef Sam Kass. | Photo courtesy of Madelyn Schaik
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Updated: September 24, 2012 6:51AM
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 12-year-old Hinsdale boy who was a winner in a nationwide challenge for children ages 8-12 to submit recipes that promote healthy lunches received his payoff Monday when he had lunch at the White House and met both President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
Jonah Schaik was one of 54 winners, and the only one from Illinois, chosen to be recognized for entries in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge that is part of the Let’s Move initiative instituted by Michelle Obama.
Jonah and the other winners were brought to the White House for a healthy lunch, which included several of the winning recipes and a tour of the White House kitchen garden.
Jonah’s mom, Madelyn Schaik went with her son on the Aug. 19-21 trip.
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge received more than 1,200 entries, ranging from sizzling tofu with green onions to salmon salad. The 54 winners selected represent one from each state, one from Washington, D.C., and three from U.S. territories.
Jonah said before the trip that he was hoping to meet President Obama along with the first lady.
“President Obama surprised us with a visit,” Madelyn Schaik wrote in an email to The Doings. “After he spoke, he went to every table to speak to each child and their parent. The look in all the kids’ faces was amazing. I wish I had a camera big enough to capture their excitement when he entered the room; that was a great, emotional moment for everyone in that room. It was so cool how loud the kids yelled when he walked in the dining room.”
