First Lady Meets with Military-Connected Students as Part of Joining Forces Initiative

The virtual meeting presented high school students with an opportunity to share their experiences of what life is like as a military-connected child to Biden as she begins her advocacy to support military families.

“Dr. Biden has always been a tremendous champion for our service members, spouses, and children,” said Dr. Becky Porter, MCEC president and CEO. “MCEC is honored that we could facilitate this important interaction today between the first lady and these students in support of her Joining Forces initiative.”

Biden officially announced her intention to make military families a top priority Jan. 14, approximately one week before the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Joining Forces first began during the Obama-Biden administration and was spearheaded by then-First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden.

The students who participated in the virtual teleconference represented the following schools and districts from across the U.S. and Europe:

• Alamogordo High School, Alamogordo, N.M. – Alamogordo Public School District
• North Augusta High School, North Augusta, S.C. – Aiken County Public School District
• Burkburnett High School, Burkburnett, Texas – Burkburnett Independent School District
• Ramstein High School, Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany – DoDEA Europe
• Widefield High School, Colorado Springs, Colo. – Widefield School District 3

The students and schools selected today reflect the possibilities that can occur when education and community leaders commit to shaping an environment that is welcoming, understanding, and supportive of the military lifestyle,” added Porter. “Although each student and school is individually unique, collectively they represent the amazing fabric of our military community and our country.”

Biden addressed her desire to work with educators, families, and their local communities to build understanding and strengthen support for military-connected children and families as part of her keynote address during the MCEC Education Summit 2020, Nov. 17-18 last year.

MCEC® currently has Student 2 Student programs at more than 500 elementary, middle, and high schools.  The program encourages teamwork between military and civilian students to welcome new students, support academic excellence, and ease transitions as students pass in or out of schools. Since its inception, the nonprofit has used Student to Student to enable thousands of military-connected children around the world with the tools needed to become college-, work-, and life-ready.